Water is the most important nutrient in dairy farming, yet it often goes unnoticed. Vern Osborne, a professor emeritus from the University of Guelph, highlights its significance in a recent episode of “The Dairy Podcast Show.” Throughout the podcast, Osborne delves into the critical yet often overlooked role that water plays in dairy herd health and performance. He shares insights and advice from nutrient supplementation through water to improving water quality and facility design.
The Mega Molecule: Water’s Vital Function
Osborne affectionately refers to water as the “mega molecule,” emphasizing its fundamental role in every cell function within a cow’s body.
“Cows are incredibly sensitive to water quality, detecting elements at parts-per-million levels,” he says.
Transition cows, in particular, demonstrate a sharp increase in water intake. Osborne and his team explored supplementing water with nutrients such as glucose, soybean dextrose and omega fatty acids. Their research revealed water can carry vital nutrients to maintain cows in a positive energy status, affecting health and productivity favorably, even amid stressors like calving.
Practical Implementation and Facility Design
Osborne’s expertise extends to designing dairy facilities that facilitate optimal water intake. He shares insights from his engineering background and hands-on experience in constructing and renovating dairy barns. His work has led to the creation of integrated research facilities that consider water’s role in animal health.
Osborne recommends the location of water provision is as critical as its quality. Installing individual water bowls supplementing group troughs encourages natural water intake, reducing the need for forced hydration. Suction drinkers or moving water features can further stimulate cows to drink more.
Water Quality: The Hidden Element Affecting Health
Water quality has gained attention, as it directly influences the cow’s intake and overall health. Filtration systems, while a growing trend in dairy operations, remain underutilized. Osborne stresses the value of conducting a full chemical analysis of water sources. This analysis helps farmers incorporate water’s mineral content into diet formulation, enhancing nutritional balance without over-reliance on expensive supplements.
It does seem that removing iron from water or improving overall water quality has become more common over the last couple of decades.
“I think some people are starting to think that the return on investments is there,” he says.
In discussing water filtration, he warns against over-relying on chemical filtration processes, which can complicate mineral interactions and pose health risks. Instead, mechanical filtration methods are often more reliable for maintaining water quality due to their consistency and predictability.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
As Osborne points out, water remains an undervalued yet essential part of dairy cattle nutrition and management. He highlights the need to rethink water management not just as a resource, but as a complex input into the nutritional system.
He urges producers to consider the potential for rainwater harvesting and filtration as a sustainable practice, anticipating future costs related to water usage. With ever-evolving geographical and environmental pressures, understanding and integrating water management into dairy operations will be increasingly critical to the industry’s success.
In a world where every drop counts, Osborn says now is the time to give water the respect and attention it deserves in dairy farming. To listen to the entire podcast, go to Dr. Vern Osborne: Water & Dairy Nutrition | Ep. 154