Managing in the heat
Hot season strategies
Access to cool drinking water
Allow for 200-250 litres per cow per day of drinking water in hot weather – double what cows usually need each day. Make sure cows have access to plenty of cool drinking water wherever they are during the day.
- A large water trough on the exit side of the dairy is a must.
- Water troughs in every paddock will keep cows grazing longer in hot weather. If they have to leave the
paddock to get a drink they may not bother going back!
- Large volume concrete troughs help keep drinking water cool.
- Provide a minimum of 0.75m water trough space per cow at your feed-out facility.
- Water pipes should be 75mm in diameter, with sufficient pressure to provide 20 litres per cow per
hour, so that troughs cope with periods of peak demand.
- Avoid running black poly pipe along the ground, as water will become very hot.
Review current practices. What could you change?
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Low risk
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Moderate risk
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High risk
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I have a big water trough at the exit side of the dairy with a good flow rate and pressure.
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Yes
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No
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I have water troughs in/near all paddocks with a good flow rate and pressure.
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Yes
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No
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While cows prefer drinking warm water, providing
cool water will help them manage heat load.
Water troughs in each paddock will keep
cows grazing longer in hot weather.
