SG_Source_August_2023

PRODUCTION TIPS & TOOLS • Randy L. Stanko, Ph.D. • Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Precious H 2 0

P eriods of hot weather and lack of rain can severely deplete the normal cattle water sources. Typically, these include ponds, lakes, streams, natural springs or manmade stock tanks with an auto matic float valve. This summer has been one for the record book. Three weeks of 100° F weather and 110° to 120° F heat index made me thank ful for a good water well as I observed my green grass and natural tank water disappear. Water is an important nutrient for beef cattle even though we never bal ance a ration for water intake. Cattle performance can be dramatically af fected by water intake or lack thereof. The minimum requirement of cattle for water has been known for de cades. These requirements are based upon the amount of water needed for growth, pregnancy and lactation. Moreover, these minimums account for water lost through urination, def ecation, sweating and evaporation from the lungs and skin. A very simple rule of thumb is that non-lactating cows and mature bulls residing in 90° F conditions need 1 gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight per day. That number should be doubled to 2 gallons of wa ter per 100 pounds of body weight per day for growing or lactating cattle in these same conditions. Spring cow calf pairs would require more than 30 gallons of water per day this summer. We can add another 10 percent to that amount if dry grass or hay comprises

could cause nitrite poisoning. This is the “bad one” that turns cattle blood chocolate brown because hemoglo bin is converted to methemoglobin by nitrite, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. High-sulfate water can be diluted with low-sulfate water to remain below the 500 ppm and 1,000 ppm upper limits for calves and mature cattle, respectively. Algae loves to grow in stagnant water with plenty of nutrients available. Most algae are not toxic to cattle but still should be removed (occasionally) from manmade stock tanks. The toxic vari ety produces a blue-green (turquoise) appearance to the water. This blue green algae bloom will accumulate on the down-wind side of the tank/pond. Toxic symptoms of blue-green algae in cattle include diarrhea, vomiting, la bored breathing, seizures, convulsions and even death. Copper sulfate can be used to kill blue-green algae but find ing an alternate water source or fencing off the nutrient-rich, stagnant water supply may be a better option. Water sources for cattle need to be an integral part of beef cattle man agement. This management should include quantity, quality and accessi bility. Proper water source distribution can help better manage grazing and pasture use. A single-use, centralized cattle watering source can become an overgrazed, high-traffic and high maintenance site. The summer is not over. Better check your PVC pipe, cou pler and glue inventories.

the majority of their diet. These feeds have a greater percent dry matter (less water) compared to lush green grass. Having a reliable source of good, clean, fresh water may not be an option for all beef cattle producers. Unwant ed substances in cattle water include salinity, nitrates, sulfates, blue-green algae, plus a lengthy list of potentially toxic substances. Thus, if you have never had the ranch well water tested (or perhaps natural water source) it may be prudent to do so. Your local Extension office or ranch veterinar ian should be able to assist you with potential reputable water-testing laboratories. Cattle can consume wa ter with up to 3,000 ppm total dis solved salts (TDS). Higher levels of TDS could compromise cattle perfor mance. Water with 100 ppm nitrates (NO3-N) should be avoided because the rumen nitrate-reducing bacte ria will convert it to nitrite, which

George West, Texas (361) 566-2244 lacampanaranch.com campana@granderiver.net

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SANTA GERTRUDIS SOURCE

AUGUST 2023