The reason for this new interest is the accumulation of water in many impoundments throughout much of Missouri. The summer of 1999 proved to be the season that pushed many water holding facilities to the limit of having water available for livestock. Since water is the mainstay of life and daily requirements are a must, the livestock producer must provide access to water at all times. There is no other nutrient that is more important than the water supply for livestock. This nutrient is the basis for all physiological systems including digestive, nervous, circulatory and reproduction.
Water is also very important in the transport of heat for dissipation from the body.
This has been a very important factor throughout the summer of 1999. The additional water requirement was promoted by the intense heat much of the Midwest experienced throughout the grazing season. The fall season always brings weaning and marketing of many beef calves born in the spring. Water plays a very important physiological role in the life of calves experiencing the weaning process which adds additional stress to this portion of life to the beef individual. Water is also an excellent method of providing medication to weaned calves.