Water Intake in Beef Cattle
by Troy Smith, Angus Journal® field editor
Water is a nutrient that is essential to a wide variety of body functions of beef cattle. According to Oklahoma State University Animal Scientist Megan Rolf, water is critical to body temperature regulation, utilization of other nutrients and mineral balance maintenance. Adequate water consumption is required for digestion, reproduction and lactation.
Megan Rolf said studies have revealed up to a twofold difference in water intake between strains of mice, even when the animals’ diets were no different. It is also known that certain breeds of cattle (particularly Bos indicus breeds) are less susceptible to the negative effects of water restriction.
According to Rolf, water intake can vary according to an animal’s biological type and stages of growth or production. Intake is influenced by environmental factors, too, including an animal’s diet. But not all of the variation in water intake by beef cattle is explained by physiological and environmental parameters. During the 2015 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Convention in Biloxi, Miss., Rolf talked about ongoing research to learn more about efficiency of water intake in beef cattle and the influence of genetics.
Rolf said studies have revealed up to a twofold difference in water intake between strains of mice, even when the animals’ diets were no different. It is also known that certain breeds of cattle (particularly Bos indicus breeds) are less susceptible to the negative effects of water restriction. Now available, however, is technology that will allow researchers to collect water intake phenotypes on large numbers of cattle.
According to Rolf, Oklahoma State University scientists are conducting a two-year study of water intake among more than 800 animals. Insentec systems are being used to collect individual feed and water intake data. So far, the data suggests cattle generally fall into groups characterized as high-, medium- or low-intake of water, which is similar to studies with mice. Generally speaking, higher feed intake is associated with higher water intake. However, there is wide variation of intake within each group.
Seeking an understanding of how water intake is influenced by genetics, researchers are looking at factors ranging from hair coat color to potential differences in rumen microbe populations.
“Longer term,” said Rolf, “we hope the results will contribute to development of genetic selection tools to increase cattle adaptability to climate variability.”
Rolf spoke during the joint session of the Cow Herd Efficiency and Adaptability Committee and the Live Animal, Carcass and End Product Committee.
The 2015 BIF Annual Convention was hosted by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Extension Service June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel in Biloxi. The Angus Journal and LiveAuctions.tv provide comprehensive online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com. Visit the Newsroom for summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio of the sessions; the Awards page for announcements of award winners; and the Photos page for photo galleries of the tour stops.
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of the Angus Journal®. Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.
The Angus Journal's coverage of the event is made possible through collaboration with BIF and sponsorship of LiveAuctions.tv. For questions about this site, or to notify us of broken links, click here. Look for additional coverage in the Angus Journal, the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Journal Daily, the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and Angus TV.
