Water Consumption of Hereford and Brahman Cattle and the Effect of Cooled Drinking Water in a Hot Climate1

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Abstract
An investigation was made during the summer in the Imperial Valley of California on the effects of cooling drinking water and on the comparative water consumption of Brahman and Hereford cattle. The mean air temperature during the test was 85.4°F; mean maximum, 100.5°F; mean minimum, 70.2. The extreme range was from 54° to 118°F. The gains for Herefords, Lot 1, (drinking water 65°F), Herefords, Lot 2 (drinking water 88.2°F) and for Brahmans, Lot 3, (drinking water 88.2°F) were 1.46, 1.07, and 1.45 respectively. The ration was 75 percent alfalfa and 25 percent barley hay. Daily water consumption per head averaged 15.36, 16.61, and 9.98 gallons respectively for Lots 1, 2, and 3, corresponding with 1.69, 1.89, and 1.55 gallons per 100 pounds live weight. Data on respiration rates and on drinking habits are included. The cooled water effected an average decrease in heat load of 2800 B.t.u. per animal daily. The physiological and practical significance of the data are discussed. Copyright © . .

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