Livestock Water Calculator
Calculate daily water demand and storage needs for stock.
Please note: Planning figures based on published averages. Soil type, climate, variety, season and local practice all shift these results substantially. Base real decisions on a soil test, local extension guidance and the product label — particularly for fertiliser, lime and any crop protection product, where the label is a legal document.
What the Livestock Water Calculator does
Stock water demand scales with animal class, size and above all temperature. The daily total is straightforward, but troughs and pipework must be sized for the peak — animals drink in bursts after grazing rather than steadily through the day.
Formula
Daily demand = Per head × Head × Conditions factorStorage = Daily demand × Days of reservePeak hourly ≈ Daily ÷ 24 × 4
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal class | one of 11 options | Yes | — |
| Number of animals | number | Yes | Accepts 1 or more. |
| Water per head per day | litres | Optional | Leave at 0 to use the class default. Accepts 0 or more. |
| Conditions | one of 4 options | Yes | — |
| Days of storage wanted | number | Optional | Accepts 0 or more. |
| Supply flow rate | litres/min | Optional | Accepts 0 or more. |
How to use it
- Choose Animal class and Conditions.
- Enter Number of animals.
- Optionally add Water per head per day, Days of storage wanted and Supply flow rate.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
One hundred beef cattle in hot weather with three days of storage.
- Class
- Beef cow
- Head
- 100
- Conditions
- Hot weather
- Storage
- 3 days
45 litres a head becomes 67.5 in the heat, so 6,750 litres a day. Three days of reserve needs a 20,250 litre tank.
Frequently asked questions
How much water does a cow drink?
About 45 litres a day for a beef cow in temperate conditions, rising to 70 or more in heat. A lactating dairy cow can exceed 100 litres.
Why size for peak rather than average?
Because a herd comes to water together after grazing. If the trough cannot refill fast enough, the animals at the back simply do not drink.