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2007 / 2008 Red Meat Industry Undergraduate Program

Project start date: 30 October 2007
Project end date: 17 March 2009
Publication date: 01 February 2008
Project status: Completed
Livestock species: Sheep, Goat, Lamb, Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle
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Summary

Drinking water is vital for the health, welfare and productivity of lot fed beef cattle.  Limited theoretical or actual data regarding cattle water consumption under the range of different conditions encountered at Australian feedlots is available.  
This report reviewed literature pertaining to beef cattle water consumption and experimental work undertaken in Australian feedlots.  Predictive water consumption models are compared and their suitability for Australian conditions is discussed.  Water consumption data collected from Australian feedlots was reviewed and the main factors influencing water consumption were examined.

More information

Project manager: Joshua Whelan
Contact email: jwhelan@mla.com.au
Primary researcher: Sinclair Consulting