A:   She can meet her water requirements by eating snow. If there is no water available, she will consume snow to stay alive. There is some risk, but producers have used snow in the winter as their water supply. If the snow develops a hard crust, it will be difficult for cows to eat. Also, as cows move closer to calving and after calving during lactation, their water intake goes up and snow may not be the best way to get water into your cows.