Water is the most important nutrient for your cattle. And like you, they prefer it clean and fresh. Ideally, cattle prefer water temperatures between 37°F and 65°F. But in winter, warmer is better. Cold water can chill the rumen, which runs around 102°F. That can slow digestion until the water warms to body temperature. Keeping water accessible and at a comfortable temperature helps keep intake and performance on track, even when the weather isn’t.

Ohio State University Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator Ted Wiseman explains, “Although water is the cheapest nutrient we may purchase or provide, it is the one we provide the most of on a per-pound basis. For example, for every pound of dry matter consumed, cattle will need to drink about 7 pounds of water. With colder temperatures, feed intake is increased to generate body heat. Decreased water availability reduces feed intake, which results in decreased body condition, poor fetal growth rates, and lactation levels.”

What type of waterer is best for my cattle in winter?

“If given a choice of water sources, cattle do prefer to drink from a tank instead of streams or ponds,” said Wiseman. “In a few studies that looked at this, cattle were given access to both with no restriction to stream or pond access. In both studies, cattle preferred to drink from tanks 75% to 90% of the time.”

Over the years, beef producers have tried just about every water setup out there. But time and again, a good automatic waterer proves its worth. It cuts down on chores and maintenance costs and it helps cattle stay healthy and gaining.

How can I keep my cattle’s water warm enough in winter?

If you don’t have optional heating units on your waterers, it’s time to install some! If you do have heaters, inspect them to make sure they’re running well and are not damaged.

For immersion heaters:

• Plug in and turn on the breaker to the immersion heater and/or heat cable after it is installed and underwater.
• Chill the water with ice to activate the built-in thermostat. Or, you can test your immersion heater by placing it in a freezer for 10 to 15 minutes and then plugging it in without placing it in water. Either way, the heater should be warm to the touch within 15 seconds if it is working properly.

For built-in thermostatically controlled heaters:

• Simply turn on the power to the unit and fill the drinking areas with ice to activate the thermostats. If the ice melts away, your unit is operating properly.

What if my heating elements aren’t working?

For immersion heaters:

• If your immersion heater is not becoming noticeably warm to the touch or if there is damage to the cord or wires, you will need a new heater.

For built-in thermostatically controlled heaters:

• If the ice you put into your unit’s heated drink area isn’t melting, you most likely have one of two problems. If it’s only melting on one side, the heater on the other side might be out and probably needs replacing. If none of it melts, your thermostat could be the issue, or the unit might not be getting power at all. If you think it’s electrical, it’s best to call an electrician to take a look.
• Self-regulating cable heaters don’t get hot to the touch, so it’s normal if they feel cool. To check if they’re working, you’ll likely need a voltage meter or help from an electrician. If this part goes out in winter, you’ll probably still see ice-free drinking areas, but no water will come from the valve.

What else should I do to prepare my waterers for the winter?

No matter how big your herd, keeping your waterers running right comes down to a few simple maintenance checks. A little time now saves you a lot of hassle later.

Clean the valve chamber and drinking areas.

Remove the covers and give the troughs and valve chambers a quick scrub with a brush or sponge to clear out any dirt and debris that’s built up. Don’t forget to check around the immersion heater. If it’s been sitting in water nonstop, it can collect deposits that lower performance over time.

Check all water seals.

Quality automatic waterers, like those from Ritchie, use water seals that can hold water or vegetable oil in their sealing tracks to help lock down the covers in cold weather. That seal keeps the cold air out and protects your valve system. But if those tracks are full of dirt or debris, they won’t seal right. That’s when trouble starts. If cold air gets in, your valve system could freeze up.

Inspect the all-weather sealant.

Look at the sealant around the base of your unit where it meets the concrete pad. If there are any gaps, cold air can sneak in underneath. Replace it if needed. And before winter hits, check inside to make sure no critters have moved in or done any damage.

Prepare for winter to make your life easier.

“There’s nothing worse than breaking the ice or doing maintenance on a waterer when it is freezing outside,” said Robert Amundson, President and CEO at Ritchie Industries, Inc. “We offer a full line of durable, quality cattle founts that are cost-effective, innovative and backed by the best warranty in the business. It is our mission at Ritchie to provide fresh water for life.”

With a little maintenance and a good winter prep plan, you can keep fresh water flowing all season long — and your cattle healthy and gaining. If you’re not already using a quality automatic waterer, it might be time to make the switch. Ritchie invented automatic waterers back in 1921 and continues to lead the pack with some of the best-selling units on the market.