February 4, 2009 Roxanne Johnson NDSU Extension Water Quality Associate

1. 2008-09 Dakota Cow/Calf Clinic February 4, 2009 Roxanne Johnson NDSU Extension Water Quality Associate Source: Roxanne Johnson

2. Objectives Cattle water needs Options for water sources Common water contaminants Rate of gain research done in Canada Wyoming Lit Review results Options for improving water quality

3. Livestock Needs Domestic animals 60 days without feed 7 days without water Limiting access to water depresses animal performance more quickly and drastically than any other nutrient deficiency Source: Roxanne Johnson

4. Livestock Water Consumption Intake Needs are Dependent on: Species and size of animal Physical condition Level of activity Dry matter intake Quality of water Temperature

5. Species and size of animal Temperature

6. Optimal temperature between 40 - 65° Energy-free livestock water fountain. (Photo courtesy of Ritchie Industries Inc.)

7. Water Consumption Dry matter intake

8. Water Consumption Physical condition Level of activity Source: Roxanne Johnson

9. Water Consumption Quality of water pH Bacteria/algae Total dissolved solids Sulfates Nitrates Source: Roxanne Johnson

10. Most important!!! Livestock need free access to water….

11. Water Sources Wells Streams Rivers Rural water systems Hauling water from other sources Dug-outs

12. Quality of Water Arsenic Barium Fluoride Molybdenum Sodium Chloride Sulfate TDS Nitrogen pH Selenium http://ces.uwyo.edu/PUBS/B1183.pdf

14. Common problems pH Bacteria/algae Total dissolved solids Sulfates Nitrates Source: Roxanne Johnson

15. pH • < 7.0 acidic • >7.0 basic or alkaline • Not unusual to see 9.0 – 9.5 • Cattle prefer 6.5 to 8.0 • Influences taste

16. Bacteria Source: North Dakota Dept of Health • Fecal contamination • E coli an indicator of other pathogens • common when livestock have direct access to water • cattle will not refuse water until .25% • source of illness

17. Bacteria Transported in Water and Mud • Leptospirosis • Reproduction problems • Extended life in surface water • Fusobacterium – “foot-rot” • Soil-borne organism • Carried on feet of animals • Transferred through cuts, bruises, or puncture wounds on damaged feet of other animals

18. Blue green algae Cyanobacteria…not an algae! • warm, sunny weather • stagnant water • high in nutrients (esp. phosphates) • appear as a film of green paint on water surface • bacteria die, release toxins concentrating on pond edge • toxicity is unknown until livestock die

19. Red algae Source: Roxanne Johnson Source: Kasia Kinzer Source: Roxanne Johnson Gomphosphaeria aponina

20. Total Dissolved Solids TDS A measurement of all constituents dissolved in water Inorganic anionsOrganic cations Carbonchlorides Sodium Sulfates Potassium Nitrates Calcium Magnesium

21. Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

22. Safe levels of potentially toxic nutrients and contaminants in water for livestock. Source: NDSU Extension

23. Water Quality Report SULFATES 1,756 ppm TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS 2,980 ppm • Within maximum tolerant level for TDS • but over sulfate level • Does not include sulfate from DDG’s or • or other high sulfate feed

24. Sulfate Toxicity • PEM – polioencephelomalacia “brainers” • High iron and sulfate levels may bind and prevent the absorption of copper and zinc

25. Nitrates Source: NDSU Extension • Carried to ponds with runoff from heavily fertilized or manured fields • Shallow wells • Include feedstuffs in total allowance

26. Canadian Studies Walter Willms • Evaluated the significance of improving water quality for animal consumption using inexpensive treatments…. • Aeration • Coagulation • Direct access • Well (with high sulfates)

27. Willms study 1999-2003 Animals reacted to impurities decreasing water intake decreased feed intake decreased animal performance reduced rate of gain decline of general health

28. Research Results • 9% greater weight gain in calves with cows drinking water from trough vs. dugout • 16 -19% increase in weight for steers in same study Source: Roxanne Johnson

29. Animal Weight Gain: Dugout Versus Trough Water (per day) Gains in pounds Source: Willms, W.D., 1996. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Alberta Agriculture, Stavely, Alberta.

30. Research Results Yearling heifers gained 23% more weight with clean/fresh water Source: Roxanne Johnson

31. Research Results Treating pond water by aeration or coagulation increased average daily gain by steers 8.2% and 9.3% respectively When cattle are fenced out of pond water and the water is pumped to a tank, the performance equaled cattle fed well water. Source: Roxanne Johnson

32. Improvements to increase cattle performance • Limit access to dugout • Fence dugout area • Access ramp • Pump water out of dugout to trough

33. Access ramp • Minimum • improvement • Large herds in • remote locations • Provide better • footing

34. Start 10-15 feet • back from water’s • edge • Low slope of 5 -6 ft • for each foot of drop • Gravel layer 1 ft • thick

35. Pump water to a trough • Eliminates cattle introducing contaminates • Aeration of the water improves palatability • Extends life of dugout • Decreased erosion and sedimentation • Increased vegetation of riparian area • Decreased degradation by cattle

36. Pump water from dugout to a trough Gravity-fed system

37. Pump water from dugout to a trough Pumped gravity flow reservoirs Automated gas powered generator system Pump Systems Dickinson, ND Source: Roxanne Johnson

38. Pump water to a trough Sundog Sundog Wind powered pumping system Source: Roxanne Johnson

39. Pump water from dugout to a trough Solar powered pumping system Solar West

40. Pump water from dugout to a trough Solar powered pumping system Sundog

41. Increased catchment • Plant trees and vegetation to • catch snow and • filter runoff

42. Increased catchment • Trees and • snow fence • to collect snow Capture up to 60% of annual precipitation

43. Other Using: Wind Electricity Solar Gravity Pipelines Cost share EQIP

44. What are your options? Rotational Grazing? Water in every pasture? How to get the water there? Considerations Number of livestock Expected peak water consumption/animal unit Water pumping or drinking time required/day Pump and well capacity Distance to farthest watering point Vertical lift from the pressure tank to the watering point Friction loss in the pipeline Float valve pressure requirements Future expansion

45. Assess pitfalls: Expansion capacity. 2. Surface laid pipe heats up and weakens pipe. Use higher pressure rated pipe. More expensive. 3. Friction loss charts assume new pipe. 4. Air bubbles in high spots restrict flow unless flushed out or released. Use valves that produce minimum back pressure to maintain water flow. 6. Multiple users of water reduces flow. 7. Pumping well at higher rate than it can handle. 8. Make sure your pipe has the appropriate inside diameter.

46. Rural Water SW Water Authority, Dickinson $1,500 sign up (depends on line size) plus construction Contracts require 100,000gal use/yr Rates - $2.49/1,000gal 5 year agreement Can tie into man holes with a meter (located ⅛ to ½ mile apart)

47. How do I know? Test your water every year Certified labs … www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/waterquality.htm

48. “Sometimes the cow just didn’t read the book” Dr. Art Case Dean of Veterinary Toxicology University of Wyoming Source: Roxanne Johnson

49. Resources Sundog (formerly Kelln Solar) Carl Driedger (Cromer, MB) 202-556-2346 John Gaschler (Oxbow, SK) 306-483-5250 Solar West Jim Hopfauf, 3360 58th Street, Flasher, ND 58535 701- 597-3546 www.solarwest.ca Pump Systems, LLC Keith Gartner, Dickinson, ND SW Water Authority, Dickinson, ND Rachelle Weiler 701-225-0241

50. Questions? Source: Roxanne Johnson