Water Managing the Welfare of Cattle in Winter
7.3.2. Water
All cattle need clean and reliable water sources to survive. The type of water source can vary depending on the water resources that are available on the beef property, and where the animals are feeding. For example, cattle in winter yards may be provided with lowing water in troughs that are heated by low voltage currents or ground insulated Fig. 7.6. Cattle being fed in paddock-based wintering sites may utilise animal-primed water systems that rise to the surface and into a water receptacle as a result of the animal moving a specially designed device e.g. a frost- free nose pump, Fig. 7.7, and then the water falling back below the frost line to prevent freezing in the pipes. In these cases, water delivery pipes need to be buried in the ground at a depth below the frost line to ensure that water can continue to low. When cattle are grazing stockpiled forage, pastures, or swaths and bales, they may be able to use snow as the main water source. In these instances, the snow needs to be clean and fresh, and a backup plan is needed when snow melts or becomes dirty. A cow unfamiliar to using snow for water will take one to three days to start to consume snow as this is not a natural behaviour - it is a learned behaviour. Figure 7.5. Bale processors can be used to add straw for bedding in yards or at winter feeding and shelter sites. Source: International Agriculture for Development. 165 Cold Winter Climates Figure 7.6. An insulated water point - water is prevented from freezing by thick, insulated outer core, and exposure to the air is limited by the small surface area of the drinking holes. Source: International Agriculture for Development. Figure 7.7. A frost-free, nose operated water pump with an insulated water delivery riser allows cattle to access drinking water in freezing weather conditions. Source: Frost Free Nose Pumps www.frostfreenosepumps.com. 166 Beef Breeder MANUAL Icy snow can be problematic as it is more diicult to consume, and can cause abrasion injuries to the soft tissues around the nose and mouth. Some classes of cattle should always be provided with fresh drinking water and not rely on snow. This includes calves, as they do not perform well on snow, and cows within one month of calving or that are in early lactation, as they are unable to consume enough snow to satisfy their increased demand for water. In a system where cattle are moved from paddock to paddock, a portable watering system installed on a trailer may be a practical option. Cattle breaking through ice in streams and dams is a signiicant risk and these water sources need to be managed, particularly during early winter and spring when the ice is at its thinnest. Figure 7.8. Traditional cattle sheds in Russia are dark and poorly ventilated. Source: International Agriculture for Development.7.4. Traditional Indoor Winter
Parts
» LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Importance of Planning LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Timing Trained Staff Planning for Arrival
» Quarantine Facilities Water on Arrival
» Management of Health on Arrival Feeding on Arrival
» Winter Feeding Planning for Arrival
» Monitoring In Quarantine General Health and Husbandry
» Arrival Checklist Planning for Arrival
» Paddocks and Fencing Developing the Property
» Cattle Yards Developing the Property
» Raceways Loading and Unloading Ramps
» Laneways Gates Developing the Property
» Yard Posts Electronic Scales Crush and Head Bail
» Water Troughs Developing the Property
» Modernising Traditional Winter Facilities
» Winter Confinement Feeding Sites
» Confinement Yards Winter Facilities
» Planning Requirements On-Farm Fodder Storage
» Ruminant Digestive System LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Feed Intake The First Limiting Nutrient
» Digestibility Fibre Concepts of Nutrition and Feeding
» Vitamins Nutrient Balance Essential Nutrients
» Water LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Moulds and Mouldy Feeds Cold Weather Impacts on Feed
» Body Condition Scoring Observational Skills
» How to Recognise Sick Animals
» Healthy Animal Behaviour Reading Manure Early Diagnosis and Treatment
» Prevention Rather than Treatment Nutritional Stress
» Understanding the Animal Welfare Requirement Features of Sight
» Flight Zones Education and Training
» Moving Animals Safe, Low Stress Cattle Handling
» Euthanasia Safe, Low Stress Cattle Handling
» Understanding the Animal Welfare Requirement Preventing Injury
» Features of Suitable Cattle Transport
» Preparing Animals for Transport Loading
» Loading Density In-Transit Care
» Unloading Transporting in Extreme Weather
» External Parasites Common Cattle Diseases
» Internal Parasites Common Cattle Diseases
» Diseases Affecting Reproductive Performance
» Clostridial Diseases Common Cattle Diseases
» Other Important Diseases Common Cattle Diseases
» Bloat Common Cattle Diseases
» Australian Health Status Developing a Breeding Objective
» Selecting the Most Appropriate Breed
» Crossbreeding With Local Breeds - Beef and Dairy
» Physical Evaluation of Bulls
» Structural Soundness and Body Conformation
» Penis and Prepuce Scrotum and Testicles
» Semen Sample Ability to Mate Serving Capacity
» Bull Management and Preparation for Mating Bull to Cow Ratio
» Reproductive Organs Oestrus Cycle and Heat Detection
» Mating After Calving Using Artificial Insemination in the Reproductive Cycle Pregnancy Detection
» Preparations for Calving Calving Management
» Abnormal Calving Calving Management
» Failure to Conceive Culling Unproductive Cattle from
» Failure to Produce a Live Calf Failure to Raise a Calf to a Healthy Weaner
» Cast-for-Age Culling Unproductive Cattle from
» Selecting Replacement Breeders Heifers
» Targets for Heifer Development
» Selecting Appropriate Sires for Heifer Mating First Calving
» Relationship Between Feeding LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Animal Identification Calf Processing
» Castration Dehorning Calf Processing
» Early Weaning Feeding Weaner Cattle
» Adaptation of Australian Cattle
» Winter Management Essentials LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Bedding Managing the Welfare of Cattle in Winter
» Water Managing the Welfare of Cattle in Winter
» Feeding in Confinement Opportunities to Manage Cattle
» Winter Grazing Opportunities to Manage Cattle
» Managing Winter Grazing Opportunities to Manage Cattle
» Grazing Stockpiled Forage Swath Grazing
» Bale Grazing Opportunities to Manage Cattle
» Developing a Winter Feed Budget
» Traditional Indoor Winter Backgrounding
» Finishing LEP Cold Climate Beef Breeder Manual 2016 (English).
» Plant Adaptation Forage Species
» Legumes Forages in Farming Systems
» Grasses Forages in Farming Systems
» Selecting the Right Species Anti-nutritional Factors
» Preparation for Sowing Seed Quality
» Area Required Stocking Rate Grazing
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