From water trough to production: the importance of water for dairy cows

Targeted research priorities

Health and welfare of dairy cattle

Project summary

Water is essential to the health and performance of dairy cattle. Parameters such as – mineral concentration, pH and bacterial concentration of water can influence productivity, animal welfare and the farm ecosystem. However, the quality of water consumed by dairy cows in Quebec remains little studied. Factors such as the type of water management, proximity to septic fields or bodies of water and season increase this variability, limiting the support provided to producers.

This project aims to document water quality in dairy production in Quebec, by analyzing its variability according to season, water management system and location, while assessing its impact on cow performance.

Identifying the times and practices that promote better water quality could improve daily milk production and support optimal recommendations for Quebec dairy farms.

Expected results

The expected results of this project will provide a detailed picture of the quality of water consumed on Quebec dairy farms, and identify the factors influencing this quality, including season, management system and location. They will establish links between water quality and dairy cow performance, such as productivity and health, and offer producers concrete solutions for improving the quality of this essential resource. In the long term, this knowledge will support the development of optimized practices.

Main achievements

• Training a Master’s student in animal science
• Drafting of a water quality solutions guide
• Results presented at Novalait’s Forum Techno
• Presentation to Lactanet consultants
• Recording a podcast
• Scientific and popular articles written by team members