Use the table below to calculate your monthly and cumulative water requirements for beef cattle. The green fields can be edited to update the calculations in the table.
Beef cattle water requirements: Between 55-112 litres per head per day.
Stock water requirements litres/animal/day.
Stock type |
Consumption (litres/animal/day) |
|
|
Summer |
Average daily |
Sheep |
|
|
Weaners |
6 |
4 |
Adult dry sheep |
10 |
6 |
Ewes with lambs |
14 |
10 |
Beef Cattle |
|
|
Weaner (250–300 kg) |
70 |
Up to 55 |
Adult Dry stock |
112 |
Up to 80 |
Horses (grazing) |
49 |
35 |
For more information on water requirements for sheep and other livestock types refer to ‘Managing farm water supplies’
Salinity tolerance levels for stock water.
Type of Livestock |
|
EC (µS/cm) |
Mg/L (ppm) |
|
Beef cattle |
Production decline begins* |
6,250 |
4,000 |
|
Maximum level** |
15,600 |
10,000 |
||
Lactating ewes and weaners |
Production decline begins* |
6,000 |
3,800 |
|
Maximum level** |
10,000 |
6,400 |
||
Dry mature sheep |
Production decline begins* |
9,300 |
6,000 |
|
Maximum level** |
21,800 |
14,000 |
* Production decline begins = upper limit salt concentration for healthy growth.
** Maximum = maximum salt concentration that may be safe for limited periods.