AGRICULTURAL NEWS - A successful sheep farmer recently told me that the availability of good water accounted for 80% of the value of his operation.
An animal’s biological processes depend on having enough water in its body. For example, water plays a crucial role in the digestion of feed in the rumen.
A cow suffering from dehydration becomes constipated; this, in turn, affects her appetite, preventing her from feeding properly.
Similarly, a dehydrated sheep cannot digest grass in its rumen successfully. This means that nutrients merely pass through the body.
Livestock deprived of water, particularly in winter when grass is dry, will always be in poor condition.
