Effect of drinking water temperature on water intake, feed intake and milk production of crossbred dairy cattle at high altitude temperate Himalayas

A study was conducted to explore the utility of different drinking water temperature, viz. ambient water temperature (10.25 +/- 0.28 degrees C, T-1), 15-20 degrees C (T-2) and 35-40 degrees C (T-3) during winter at IVRI, Mukteshwar campus on 18 crossbred (HF x Haryana) lactating cows. They were divided into 3 groups of 6 each and various parameters were studied. At open environment maximum temperature, minimum temperature and mean relative humidity were 11.81 +/- 0.45, 1.52 +/- 0.27 degrees C and 57.43 +/- 2.79%, respectively, the corresponding values for microclimate were 16.61 +/- 0.36, 6.68 +/- 0.61 degrees C and 86.75 +/- 0.55%. Average water intake per cow per day was significantly higher in T-3 (40.66 +/- 0.55) and compared with cows in T-1 (38.63 +/- 0.42) and T-2 (37.53 +/- 0.47). Dry matter intake was more for cows in T-3. Daily mean milk yield for the cows in T-3 (7.56 +/- 0.18 litre) was significantly higher than T-1 (6.95 +/- 0.16 litre) and T-2 (7.06 +/- 0.17 litre). Milk SNF, protein and total solids percentages were significantly higher for cows consuming warm drinking water in T-2 (15-20 degrees C) and in T-3 (35-40 degrees C) than cows consumed ambient cool drinking water. Cows in warm drinking water groups showed relatively more gain in body weight compared to cows provided with ambient cool drinking water. It was concluded that the crossbred cows consuming warm water (35-40 degrees C) performed better than the cows consuming comparatively cold water.