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Water intake of cattle and pigs

How much water the herd drinks per day and how large the reservoir needs to be.

Pre-sizing and estimating tool: the results do not replace a design, calculation, or report signed by a qualified professional, nor verification against the applicable standards.

Preliminary estimateRevision 12/11/2026
Herd
Environment and reserve

Reference values per animal per day: finishing pig about 7 to 10 L; adult beef cattle about 40 to 50 L; lactating cow about 90 to 120 L. Adjust for climate and diet.

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—Daily water intake
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Daily intake by category

Water per day for a herd of the same size, in each category, with the increase entered.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Daily intake by number of animals

Water per day for the consumption per animal entered.

Tap the chart to see the values.

What if the data changes?

Drag the controls to simulate data different from what you entered (from 30% less to 30% more) and watch the result change instantly.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Reservoir by days of autonomy

Reservoir volume for different autonomies, with the daily consumption calculated. The tanks are considered 5,000 L each.

Step by step with your numbers

The calculation done in steps, with the values you entered.

    The calculation memo gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions, and references, with fields for project, responsible person, and review. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print window, choose Save as PDF.

    How to use

    Enter the number of animals, the average consumption per animal per day, an allowance for heat and management, and the tank's autonomy in days. The calculator shows the daily and monthly consumption and the tank volume.

    Hypothetical example

    120 cattle, intake of 45 L/day per animal and a 20% allowance for heat and handling, with a tank for 2 days.

    Intake = 120 × 45 × 1.2 = 6,480 L/day, or 6.48 m³/day. Monthly = 194 m³.

    Reservoir = 6.48 × 2 = 12.96 m³.

    Precautions

    • Intake varies with temperature, diet, dry matter and salt content, and physiological state. Use measured data when available.
    • Does not include losses at drinkers, leaks, or other activities that use the same water.
    • Measuring consumption with a water meter on the drinker line for a few days gives a more reliable value than the table.

    Method, assumptions, and references

    Equations used

    Daily intake (L) = number of animals × intake per animal (L/day) × (1 + allowance)
    Reservoir (m³) = daily consumption (m³) × days of autonomy

    Assumptions and limits

    • Consumption varies with temperature, diet, dry matter and salt content, physiological state, and water quality.
    • Does not consider losses at drinkers or other activities that use the same water.
    • Reference values by category; adjust with measured consumption in your system.

    Standards and technical documents

    • NRC. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. 8th ed. Washington: National Academies Press, 2016.
    • NRC. Nutrient requirements of swine. 11th ed. Washington: National Academies Press, 2012.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why does consumption rise in the heat?

    Animals lose heat through breathing and sweating and need to drink more. That is why the heat allowance is a design factor.

    How to measure actual intake?

    With a water meter on the drinker line, recording the volume over a few days. Measurement is more reliable than the table.

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