Livestock Water Quality Concerns

As temperatures remain high, it is important to consider not only the quantity of water that your livestock have access to, but also the quality of the water source they are on.

The amount of water livestock require depends on the animal’s size, production stage, moisture content of their diet, and temperature. For example, a 1,300-lb. mature beef cow requires approximately 9.2 gallons of water when temperatures are at 40°F, and this requirement increases to 14.3 gallons a day when temperatures are 90°F. When cows are lactating, water requirements are estimated at 12.2 gallons per day in 40°F weather. As temperatures rise to 90°F, that requirements increase more than 40% to nearly 17.4 gallons per day. Ensuring livestock have access to an adequate amount of fresh water every day is necessary for them to regulate their internal temperature, digest feed, lubricate joints, grow muscle, lactate, and perform other biological processes.

Poor water quality can compromise animal health and production, and in some cases even cause death. The most common issues with livestock water quality include elevated levels total dissolved solids (TDS), elevated levels of sulfate, and cyanobacteria/blue-green algae.

TDS is a measure of the total amount of salts and minerals that are in a water source and is a nonspecific indicator of water quality. TDS over 3,000 ppm may begin to cause animal health problems, and TDS at higher rates can even cause death. As temperatures are elevated and there is increased evaporation from the surface of water sources, there is a higher concentration of salts left behind, increasing TDS levels.

Sulfates can also cause issues with livestock water quality. High sulfate water tastes bitter and may cause some animals to drink less than they need to remain healthy and productive. High concentrations of sulfate can lead to polioencephalomalacia (PEM or polio), a neurological disorder that often can become fatal.

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, is a type of algae that occurs in stagnant water and releases toxins that can be harmful to animals, and often lead to death. Blooms can be green and are often blue when they dry on the surface or the shoreline of the water. The only way to protect livestock from risk of toxin if cyanobacteria is present is to remove them from the water source.

The Richland County Extension Office can assist you in testing your water for livestock water quality. In the office, we can estimate TDS and sulfate levels, as well as assist you in sending your water to a commercial lab for testing for cyanobacteria. Please reach out to the office if you need your water tested, 406-433-1206.