Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-07-21
WARM WATER FOR MICH COWS.

The report for 1885 Of the Professor
of Agriculture at the Kansas State
College, details some
experiments conducted
at the College to determine the adj
vantage of warn water for mich cows.
From Feb. 9 to % four COWS were given
on alternate days, water from the well
and water heated to 1909 Fahrenheit,
and the milk evenings and mornings
following each alienation in the water
accepted as indicating the effect of the
change. Every day but one during
the entire period covered by the ex-
pertinent the warm water showed an
increase in the flow of milk equal to
8.47 per cent in the aggregates; and it
is believed this does not represent the
whole advantage, as the substitution
of cold water every other day likely
exercised some influence in decreasing
the effect of the warm drink, and the
flow on the days the cold water was
given may have been somewhat accel-
Grated from the warm drink the day
before; so that really the difference
should be much greater than the fig
ures indicate. The weather during
the.time of the experiment was made
was not severe, and it will be observ
ed that the "cold water'' was fresh
" draw well water, which must be
several degrees warmer than that
which cattle get from the streams and
ponds. Under ordinary winter con-
ditions the advantage. it is fair to sup
pose, would be much greater than here
indicated. One bushel of bituminous
coal consumed in an economical boil
er will warm the water for twenty five
COWS, but Prof. Shelton suggests that
there is abundant woody fiber on every
farm, in the shape of over-ripe and
spoiled fodder-straw, cornstalks and
cobs-to say nothing of recognized
wood materials, which can be utilized
for the purpose. And it would seem
better economy in providing water
in cold weather to raise it to blood heat
outside the animal by the combustion
of this waste material than to burn up
good feed inside the animal for the same
purpose. Referring to the general adj
vantages OF warming the water the re-
port says:
That the loss to stock-owners from
the use of water in a freezing condition
in cold weather is very great is strong
ly suggested by the ordinary winter ex-
periences of the barnyard. The pic
ture of the herd of shivering cattle
standing over the trough or partly froz-
en- stream by the half hour,
dreading the shock that the freezing
water gives the SYSTEM, and after
drinking, shivering and shaking as if
in an ague, is familiar one to every
Northern stock-raiser. In striking
contrast to this was the behavior of our
COWS after they had learned the taste
of warm water: they drank it greedily
in full draughts, afterwards 'stretch-
ing themselves with evident comfort
and satisfaction. Even the young
sucking calves, which ordinarily took
cold water with great reluctance if at
all, rapidly acquired taste for the
warm drink, slipping it slyly at first,
but soon taking it in full draughts.
Aud in addition to the reasons adj
vanced in the report, it may be OBJ
served that very many cattle will not
drink in severe weather sufficient
water to maintain a condition of sound
health. From the nature of their d.
gestive system they require good
deal of water, and if they do not take
it the organs become more or less inn
pacted and perform their functions i'm.
perfectly, and there is lack of thrift
and improvement apparent even if a
condition Of ill-health is not reached.
1t is much more important matter.
we are satisfied, than most farmers
suppose.