Water Access and Cleanliness |
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All ages of cattle will drink water, even calves from birth. Milk is not enough for calves. Cattle also show an aversion to drinking dirty water, and will decrease water intake when water is contaminated.
Water Access (Critical Criterion)
Which animals to assess:
Using the "METAL" criteria, check that all animals have access to water
How to assess:
All cattle should have access to clean water free of gross contamination including feed or feces.
Ponds, creeks, and other natural water sources will be acceptable if it is clear the water source is not temporary.
Ponds, creeks, and other natural water sources will be acceptable if it is clear the water source is not temporary.
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Acceptable water access
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Unacceptable water access
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Water cleanliness
Which animals to assess:
Waterers (trough, bucket, tank) in the pens of each group previously scored for hygiene.
How to assess:
If troughs are used, the ‘clean water card’ must be easily read while submerged 6-10" or 15-25 cm below the water surface in 3 areas. If individual water sources are used (buckets), score 3 across all ages.
If you were assessing this for cleanliness, the Score Card would need to be easily read in 3 distinct locations.
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Since the Score Card could only be read in 2/3 locations, this trough would not pass for cleanliness.
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Small amounts of feed may be present as a result of cattle eating. Small amounts of feed or algae along the bottom or sides of water sources are acceptable. Algae floating on the surface, fecal contamination, or large amounts of feed obstructing the surface of the water need to be addressed.
All water sources scored in each age class must be in acceptable condition to meet this criterion.
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Acceptable water cleanliness
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Unacceptable water cleanliness
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There is currently no repeatability test associated with this measure.