HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Graf, G. C. Articles by Holdaway, C. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Graf, G. C. Articles by Holdaway, C. W.

A Comparison of "Hard" and Commercially Softened Water in the Ration of Lactating Dairy Cows

Dairy Dept., Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg

ABSTRACT

There were no significant differences observed between the two treatments in the production of 4 per cent F.C.M. or in changes in body weight. The cows while on the hard water produced 33.0 lb. of milk daily and gained an average of 8 lb. in body weight each. The cows while on softened water produced 33.2 lb. of milk daily and gained an average of 1 lb. in body weight each during the experimental period. No difference was observed in the average daily water consumption. All the cows consumed an average of 97.1 lb. of water daily regardless of the total hardness of the water. The ratio of water consumed to milk produced was 2.9 and the ratio of water consumed to dry matter intake also was 2.9.