In summer of 2000 daily water usage average 30 to 40 gallons per Holstein cow. Jersey cows used 20 to 24 gallons per cow per day depending on age and stage of lactation. The farms with Holstein cows used 4.5 Ibs of water per Ib of milk produced. However, only about 85 percent of the water was consumed. The other 15 percent of the water refilled water tanks that were tipped daily. The Jersey cows used 3.1 Ibs of water per Ib of milk. Water consumed per Ib of milk was similar between the Holstein andJersey cows in this study if the water used to refill the tanks after tipping was excluded. Approximately 40 percent of the water consumed was from a water station in the center crossover. Preliminary data indicated cows obtain 8 percent of their daily water requirements at the water trough located near the milk parlor exit lanes. Cows average drinking 3.5 gallons per day at the exit lane water troughs.
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