Abstract
The necessity of water for support of life is largely unquestioned. Of all the nutrients indispensable for life, water is second only to oxygen in importance. However, this commonplace fact is often not well appreciated. From a nutritional point of view, water is the most critical nutrient for dairy cattle, and is required for numerous important physiological functions. As a whole, the water content of the animal body ranges from 55 to 67 % of body weight. Water is the main component of milk, saliva, and waste products, such as urine and faeces [1]. Water is further lost from the lungs during breathing or panting, by evaporation from the skin, and sweating. Hence, dairy cattle have a large daily requirement for water, most of it being obtained from free water intake. Because dairy cattle suffer more quickly from an inadequate water intake than from a deficiency of any other nutrient, clean, fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Highlights
Jos J Vermunt* Adjunct Professor (Cattle Health and Production), College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia *Corresponding author: Jos J Vermunt, 80 Russell Robertson Drive, Havelock North 4130, New Zealand
Dairy cattle have a large daily requirement for water, most of it being obtained from free water intake
Because dairy cattle suffer more quickly from an inadequate water intake than from a deficiency of any other nutrient, clean, fresh drinking water should be available at all times
Summary
Jos J Vermunt* Adjunct Professor (Cattle Health and Production), College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia *Corresponding author: Jos J Vermunt, 80 Russell Robertson Drive, Havelock North 4130, New Zealand. Because dairy cattle suffer more quickly from an inadequate water intake than from a deficiency of any other nutrient, clean, fresh drinking water should be available at all times. The water needs of a dairy cow depend on several factors, including its production level, body weight, and food intake, the moisture level of the diet, and the ambient temperature and humidity.
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