The influence of drinking water treatment
(Oxion Inc., Hugoton, KS) on digestion and
metabolism was evaluated in steers fed low- and
high-forage diets. Water treatment did not
influence digestibility of any nutrient measured
nor did it influence the profile of ruminal
metabolites. Water treatment did increase water
consumption two- to threefold and also
increased ruminal fractional water outflow
(%/h) for steers fed the high forage, but not the
high concentrate, diet. Increased water
consumption could be a beneficial response, but
it is not known if water consumption increases
with management programs different than those
used in the present study.
