Keep your cows hydrated with clean trough water

12 Feb 2025

Good drinking water is essential for dairy cows in New Zealand, especially during the summer months when hydration plays a key role in minimising heat stress. Keeping water clean and preventing bacterial growth is best practice for trough management, ensuring cows drink regularly and stay healthy.

The cleaner the water, the more cows will typically drink. This makes it especially important to keep trough water clean during warmer temperatures when conditions are ideal for algae growth. “The optimal water temperature for algae growth is between 20ºC to 30ºC. Water troughs within this temperature range are at high risk for algae blooms,” says FIL Chemist Dr. Calum Gordon.

While algae may seem harmless, it can pose risks to animal health. “We often go by the saying ‘if you wouldn’t drink it, then neither should your cows’, so it’s important to monitor your troughs and ensure your herd have access to good-quality water in the paddock, raceways and yard,” says Calum.

FIL’s Trough Tablets are specifically designed to control algae and slime in water troughs, providing cows with consistently clean drinking water. “Our tablets contain copper and zinc, which dissolve in the water and disrupt algae cells - preventing growth and eliminating existing cells,” explains Calum.

Highly effective at preventing algae blooms, just one Trough Tablet treats up to 1,000 litres of water and lasts for six weeks. It’s a simple, reliable solution for maintaining water quality while ensuring cows can safely drink during treatment.

Noticed algae developing in your troughs? Check out FIL’s Trough Tablets here.