Anyone who keeps dairy cattle knows that the quality and quantity of milk produced is dependent on the health and diet of the dairy cows. Water troughs play an important role in the feeding pattern of dairy cows because they ensure that the cattle are properly hydrated at all times.
As opposed to other watering methods, water troughs are effective at maintaining a diet pattern that suits the animals and their health. When strategically placed and filled up as necessary, the cattle can rapidly adapt to changing feeding methods and their bodies will yield high amounts of milk for harvest.
Not all water troughs are suited for dairy cattle. There are certain features you need to look out for to identify the best trough for your milk-producing cows.
High Capacity
If you have dairy cattle, you know that they drink a lot of water. Unless you only have one to keep, you will need a high capacity water trough that doesn't run out when the cows need to drink. And if you occasionally leave the cows unattended for several hours, it is important to ensure that they don't end up thirsty.
Having a trough with a capacity of about 2000 L is ideal for dairy cows. If you keep the cattle in open areas, such as ranch-style settings, the high capacity becomes even more useful. For larger cattle herds, make sure you determine how much each cow will need to drink and match the capacity with the size of your water troughs.
UV and frost resistant capabilities
When rearing dairy cows in hot areas or in very cold conditions, it is important to regulate the temperature of their drinking water. Using troughs with UV resistant capabilities prevents the water from getting overheated for consumption. In addition, UV rays can cause radicals and free ions to form in the water. Free ions have the potential of causing harmful reactions in the body due to their net positive or negative charges.
For cattle in cold areas, frost resistance is an important feature of water troughs. It prevents the water from freezing or forming blocks of ice that cannot be consumed by the cows.
Streamlined interiors
Another important feature of water troughs for dairy cattle is ease of cleaning. The water for consumption should be kept fresh and free of contaminants such as high salts and other chemical compounds such as fluorides. The trough should therefore have an interior surface with a smooth lining. This makes rinsing quick and convenient and prevents salts from building up in hidden corners.
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