Research Tip! Calves need four times more water than dry matter or a four to one (4:1) ratio.
If a calf eats 500 gms of dry matter a day, she will need at least 2 L of water. As she reaches weaning and is eating 1 kg per day, she will need 4 L of water. Limiting water, directly impacts dry matter consumption, and affects the animal’s performance. Ensuring access to clean, fresh water can increase water consumption by 32% which, in turn, can increase meal uptake by 13%, leading to improvements in average dairy weight gains!