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Stark-Billings County |
Extension Spotlites
May 30, 2008
Good-Quality Drinking Water Essential for Livestock
Water is the most important nutrient livestock require. As we struggle with lower than normal precipitation, producers should be aware of the quality of water they provide for their livestock.
The issue of quality becomes as important as quantity when there has been a great decrease in surface water, as is our current situation.
The lack of an adequate, good-quality water supply could result in a concentration of unsafe levels of salt and toxins, which can upset the animals' water balance and even may cause death.
Excess nutrients in the water can be the result of agricultural application of nitrate and sulfate fertilizer; inadequate animal manure and human waste control systems; soil minerals; and salt leaching from the ground, oilfield drilling sites and saltwater disposal wells.
To determine the safety of water for livestock testing is very important. Samples can be collected in any clean bottle and sent, as soon as possible after collection, to a lab to be analyzed. Tests should include conductivity, sulfates, total dissolved solids and nitrates.
See List of laboratories in North Dakota
Producers who need help in evaluating their test results should see Water Quality Interpretation Tool
Producers should enter their results and select "livestock water," then click on "submit." They’ll receive an explanation of their water test results.As temperatures increase, producers also need to be aware of algae growth in ponds. While not all algae are toxic, keeping livestock away from this potentially toxic source always is wise. Also watch for small dead animals, such as mice and birds, along the shoreline. Dead animals are an indication the water is hazardous to livestock.
For more information see Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae Poisoning
A reliable water source is essential for a healthy livestock herd. Financial assistance to help producers find new water sources is available through the North Dakota State Water Commission. The commission recently approved $1 million to reactivate the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Project Assistance Program. It provides 50 percent cost-share assistance to livestock producers with livestock water supply shortages caused by drought.
For more information, see State Water Commission
For more information contact:
Kurt Froelich,
Extension Agent
NDSU Extension Service
Stark-Billings County
1340 W. Villard St.
Dickinson ND 58601-4646
(701) 456-7665