Ask SAM: Hot livestock need extra water

This column is provided by Larimer County Extension's Small Acreage Management (SAM) Program to assist rural residents.

Dear SAM,

Do my livestock need more water on hot days?

Judy B.

Dear Judy,

As the mercury rises in the thermometer, livestock water needs increase rapidly. A 600-pound steer requires 6 gallons of water per day when the average temperature is 50 degrees. Warm up to an average temperature of 85 degrees, and that same steer needs 10 gallons of water per day.

Horses require an average of 10 to 12 gallons of water per day. During hot weather, that amount doubles to more than 20 gallons per day.

As a rule, livestock require 1 gallon of water per day per 100 pounds of body weight during cool weather and twice that amount during hot weather. Lactating animals generally require twice as much water as nonlactating animals of the same species.

Livestock will drink more if the water is cool. Cool water is also more efficient than warm water for reducing an animal's body temperature. Try to keep water temperatures below 65 degrees F. Place water tanks in the shade or use a system that automatically replenishes the tank with cool, fresh water.

If you are raising beef cattle, supplying adequate amounts of cool water will result in increased profits. Cattle with plenty of good-quality water consume more feed and gain weight more quickly than hot, thirsty animals. Heat-stressed animals eat less and expend energy trying to stay cool instead of growing.

If a horse is hot from exercising without water, do not allow it to gorge at the water tank. Offer a few swallows of fresh water every five or 10 minutes while the horse cools down. Walk the animal in between drinks. Continue this process until the horse is cooled and no longer thirsty. Drinking too much water, too fast can cause colic or founder.

High water temperatures in stock tanks can lead to blue-green algae growth, which is toxic to many animals. Blue-green algae floats on the water surface and looks like pond scum. To avoid algae problems, empty and clean your tank weekly during hot weather.

In addition to water, provide shade to keep your animals from overheating. Structures with an east-west orientation provide more shade than those with a north-south orientation. Open-ended structures allow good air movement, which helps to keep livestock cool.

Livestock also need to replenish salts lost due to sweating. Provide a salt block so the animals can take a lick as needed.

If you are outside working or caring for your animals on a hot day, remember to take the same preventative measures to protect your own health. Take plenty of rest breaks and drink lots of cool water...but not necessarily out of the stock tank.

SAM

Have a question about rural living? Write to Ask SAM, Larimer County Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 543, Fort Collins, CO 80522.