Water: The oft-forgotten nutrient in dairy production

Water is the most important nutrient for dairy cow health and performance. (Wladimir.B | BigStock.com)
Proper water intake plays a role in dairy cow health, welfare and productivity.
Milk is approximately 87% water. For a dairy cow to produce 30 liters of milk, she needs to use just over 26 liters of water. While the importance of water is often cited, in practice, it is sometimes overlooked. Trough design, function and location — as well as cleanliness — are not always given the priority they deserve. Additionally, it’s been estimated that dairy cattle account for approximately 19% of the total global water footprint related to animal production, with 98% of that going to produce feed and ~1% used for drinking.