Fresh, clean water is critical to successful rumen development. An important part of the calf's development is the ability of the rumen to ferment concentrate and forage that it eats. This is called rumen development and is necessary before the calf can be weaned successfully. Fermentation of feeds in the rumen produces volatile fatty acids (VFA).

These acids cause dramatic changes in the size and activity of the rumen and prepare the calf for weaning. Unless the calf consumes sufficient dry feed within the first few weeks of life, weaning will be delayed.

Rumen bacteria are responsible for fermentation of calf starter to VFA in the rumen. To ferment the substrate in MFA Stand Out calf starter, these rumen bacteria must live in a water environment. Without sufficient water, bacteria cannot grow, and ruminal development is slowed.

Here is where this affects producers directly-most water that enters the rumen comes from free water intake. If water is offered to calves from an early age, this is not usually a problem; calves will drink enough water for the rumen bacteria.

Unfortunately, many producers in the U.S. do not provide free water to their calves until calves reach 4 or more weeks of age.

Milk or milk replacer does not constitute free water. When milk or milk replacer is fed to calves, much of it bypasses the rumen and reticulum by action of the esophageal groove. The esophageal groove is active in the calf until about 12 weeks of age. The groove closes in response to nervous stimulation, shunting milk past the reticulum and rumen and into the abomasum. Closure of the groove occurs whether calves are fed from buckets or bottles. Therefore, the feeding of milk replacer should not be construed as providing enough water. Calves need fresh, clean water from as early as 2 to 3 days of age.

Calf researchers know that water intake increases body weight gain, helps starter intake and reduces scours scores. When water was available, calves consumed more calf starter, grew faster and scoured fewer days.

Offering water is simple and can have immediate impact on your operation. If you're not offering free water to your calves from 3 days of age, it is time to give it a try.

Offering water in the winter can be a challenge. However, calves still need water, even when it is cold. Water is especially important in the winter to allow the calf to go to dry feed sooner.

The sooner the calf picks up intake, the better able the calf is to increase its energy and protein intake with calf starter. Sometimes, it may be necessary to bring warm water at an additional feeding to ensure that calves have enough water available.

Some producers have success by feeding warm water for about an hour after morning and afternoon feedings and at noon time. After an hour water is removed to keep it from freezing.

The smaller the calf, the greater the benefit of feeding water at body temperature. Regardless of the temperature when it is offered, the water will be at body temperature, about 102 degrees, in an hour. Offering milk replacer or water at 100 to 105 degrees reduces the amount of energy needed to warm the fluid.