Introduction
Why should I be concerned about livestock water quality?
Livestock tend to congregate around water sources. This can lead to reduced vegetative cover and increased manure concentration in and around water sources. The water source can become polluted with sediment, nutrients, algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms, leading to low water quality. Poor quality water affects livestock by impairing health and animal performance1. Livestock may respond to low water quality by reducing both water intake and time spent grazing, adversely influencing weight gains2.
How can I change the drinking and loafing behavior of my livestock?
Livestock distribution can be altered by manipulating livestock attractants. Water is the strongest attractant, both for drinking and loafing. Other attractants include mineral and salt feeders, oilers and scratching posts, gates, shade, wind protection (winter), breezy heights (summer), feeding areas, patches of highly palatable forage, and cattle in adjacent pastures. Removing, adding, or redistributing attractants can alter the drinking and loafing behavior of cattle3.
Cattle spend as little as 4 minutes a day drinking but can spend 10 times as long loafing around the water source4. Loafing behavior increases the water quality problems associated with water distribution points. Loafing can be minimized by locating other attractants in distant areas of the pasture and making the area near the water source less comfortable for loafing, such as adding a gravel surface. Providing a water source away from a stream can reduce the time spent by cattle in the riparian area by up to 96%5.
How can I use my water resources to meet both the needs of my livestock and water quality concerns?
Existing water resources can be renovated or modified and new sources of water can be added to provide adequate water and livestock access while protecting water quality. Frequently, an existing water source can be used with a relocated distribution point (waterer or tank). The area around a water distribution point can be protected to reduce mud and erosion problems.
How can water be made available to animals?
There are three main methods to deliver water to livestock:
- Provide direct access to a water source such as a stream or pond;
- Allow water to flow by gravity from a higher elevation into a waterer or tank;
- Pump water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation into a waterer or tank.
Water delivery is often a combination of the water source, a power source, a pipeline to convey the water to the waterer, and the waterer itself. Each component of the watering system should be selected for compatibility with the entire watering system and livestock needs.
How do I decide which components to use?
This handbook assists in the design of a watering system that fits your budget, site, and livestock needs. Some systems require specific geological formations (such as springs) or depend on specific elevation differences. While components may be off-the-shelf, the arrangement and installation of a watering system must be adjusted to each site. As you look through this handbook, keep in mind the characteristics of your land and site, the time you have available for management and upkeep, and the size and type of animal you have. These will all factor into decisions about which option to choose.
What contributes to poor water quality?
A variety of factors contribute to poor water quality and ultimately result in poor livestock performance or death. Mineral, biological, and chemical components can impair water quality (Table 1). Drought conditions can concentrate components as water levels drop. Manure runoff often affects multiple water-quality constituents, such as nitrates, blue-green algae, and undesirable bacteria. Tolerance to each constituent varies by species, health condition, age, and season. Providing livestock with improved access to plentiful, clean water is a good reason to upgrade a watering system.
Mineral Components
Alkalinity, or high pH, is generally determined by the geology of the water source. Water with a high pH is common in Kansas. Cattle rarely have problems with alkaline water, but high pH values can reduce feed and water consumption and cause digestive upsets.
Salinity (total dissolved solids) is generally determined by the water source geology. Livestock can tolerate a wide range of salinity but will avoid drinking high salinity water when other water sources are available. Oil field activities can influence water salinity. High salinity can cause diarrhea, weakness, tremors, paralysis, and unfocused wandering. Animals may refuse to drink highly saline water and then gorge, causing severe health problems. It is difficult to remedy high salinity levels, and providing another source of clean water may be the only option.
Sulfates in the water can be aggravated by additional consumption of dietary sulfur, resulting in mineral imbalances. High levels of sulfate can result in brain disorders, mineral deficiencies, poor conception, and death. It is difficult to remedy high sulfate levels, and providing another source of clean water may be the only option.
Calcium and magnesium are common in water and are rarely a problem as their relative insolubility allows them to pass harmlessly through the body. In combination with sulfates, laxative effects are increased.
Nitrates are associated with fertilizer, manure, or decaying animal matter contamination of the water source, and can also be found in toxic quantities in grazed or hayed feed. Nitrate poisoning decreases blood oxygenation and can lead to death. Preventing nitrates from entering the water is the most effective remedy. Nitrates in both feed and water need to be considered when calculating nitrate poisoning risk to livestock.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) release toxins as they die. See the chapter titled Blue-Green Algae.
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause leptospirosis, coccidiosis, and footrot in livestock. Biological contaminants can be introduced into water sources by manure deposition and runoff into surface waters, and through cracked well casings in drilled wells.
Hard water contains calcium and magnesium. It is generally not a livestock health problem but can affect components of the watering system. Do not use water softeners if the water salinity level is already high.
Chemical and industrial products can enter water though leaks, disposal activities, or in runoff after application. Pipeline spills can be a contaminant source in areas of oil production. Hydrocarbons (oil) ingestion symptoms include constipation, bloat, digestive disorders, weight loss, immune suppression, respiratory disorders, and nervous system disorders. Reproduction may also be affected. Chemical contamination can be long lasting and may require sustained monitoring as well as moving livestock away from contaminated areas and water supplies.
Water testing can identify water quality constituents and should be done routinely in situations where the water source is shallow, under drought conditions, or if a water-quality problem is suspected. Electrical conductivity meters can be used on site to test for salinity. Water samples can be collected and sent to a lab for analysis. Sampling should be done in accordance with lab instructions.
1Umar S, Munir MT, Azeem T, Ali S, Umar W, Rehman A, Shah MA. 2014. Effects of water quality on productivity and performance of livestock: A mini review. Veterinaria 2: 11-15.
2Willms, W.D., O.R. Kenzie, T.A. McAllister, D. Colwell, D. Veira, J.F. Wilmshurst, T. Entz, and M.E. Olson. 2002. Effects of water quality on cattle performance. J. Range Manage. 55:452-460.
3Bailey, D. 2005. Identification and creation of optimum habitat conditions for livestock. Rangeland Ecology & Management 58:109-118.
4Clawson, J. E. 1993. The use of off-stream water developments and various water gap configurations to modify the watering behavior of cattle. M.S. Thesis, Oregon State University.
5Byers, H.L, Cabrera M.L., Matthews M.K., Franklin D.H., Andrae J.G., Radcliffe D.E., McCann M.A.,. Kuykendall H.A, Hoveland C.S. and Calvert II V.H.. 2005. Cattle use of riparian areas in the Georgia Piedmont, U.S.A. J. Environ. Quality.
