Beef Cattle Winter Water Needs Complicated this Year Many area
ponds are low due to the short rainfall during 2012. As cold
weather approaches and shallow ponds freeze, there is concern
among cattle producers about meeting the water needs of their
cattle. "Some farmers are already hauling water so it's a good
idea to know how much water different classes of cattle need
each day," said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with
University of Missouri Extension. Water requirements vary
depending on the cattle's size, lactation status, ration they
are eating and ambient temperature. Growing heifers, steers and
bulls weighing 600 pounds require 5.3 gallons of water a day
when the average ambient temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheiht.
As the temperature goes up to 50 degrees, water needs increase
slightly to 5.8 gallons per head per day. Intake at temperatures
below 40 degrees does not change much. Pregnant cows need 6 to
6.5 gallons at 40 degrees. Following calving, those same cow's
intake for water jumps to roughly