Government of Saskatchewan ministries, Crown corporations and organizations are implementing contingency plans to minimize the impacts of postal service disruption.
Les ministères, sociétés d’État et organismes du gouvernement de la Saskatchewan mettent en œuvre des plans d’urgence visant à réduire les répercussions de l’interruption du service des postes.
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December 2024
Water is the most important nutrient for livestock. It is necessary for all body functions and consumed at high volumes compared to other nutrients. The availability and quality of water, therefore, is a vital and often limiting factor in livestock production.
Sulphate is one of the most common contaminants of livestock water sources in Canada, affecting both surface and ground water. Ruminant animals are particularly susceptible to sulphate, which at high levels can cause central nervous system disorders and death. At moderate levels, sulphate can interact with trace minerals, especially copper, making it unavailable to the animal. Copper deficiency caused by elevated sulphate in water can cause poor performance and reduced reproductive efficiency in cattle and sheep.
Sulphate in water and sulfur in the diet can contribute to these negative effects. Total sulphate levels from dietary sources should not be higher than 0.4 per cent of the diet on a dry matter basis. Some feed ingredients that can be high in sulfur include brassicas like canola, turnip and radish, canola meal, dried distillers grains and kochia.
Guidelines for safe levels of sulfate in water vary by type of livestock and their stage of production. Generally, younger cattle are more susceptible to sulphate than mature animals. Feeder cattle on high grain rations are more susceptible to sulphate than cattle consuming a forage-based diet. Time of year and temperature play a big role in the amount of water consumed each day. In hot, dry conditions, livestock consume much larger volumes of water, increasing the risk when water quality issues exist. Dissolved sulphates above 500 to 1,500 parts per million may pose a risk to livestock health and productivity.
The amount of dissolved sulphate in water cannot be accurately evaluated by the water’s appearance, smell or taste. Clear, clean-looking water may contain high levels of sulphate that make it unsuitable for use by livestock. Water quality issues can occur in dugouts, wells and natural water sources including sloughs, lakes, springs and streams.
Water testing is a great first step to understanding water quality and planning the use of various water sources throughout the year. Testing livestock water sources annually is a good starting point. However, a water source can undergo significant changes in quality over the course of a year. Dugouts monitored weekly from April through October have shown as much as a three-fold increase in sulphate concentration from spring to fall, a trend that intensifies in dry years. Once a water source has been identified as high risk, more frequent testing can be done to determine its suitability for use.
There are several treatment technologies that have been proven effective in removing sulphate from water. These include ion exchange, nanofiltration/reverse osmosis and electrodialysis. The use of sulphate removal technology may be feasible in scenarios where the high sulphate source is relied upon for a significant portion of the year and where it is practical to invest in the necessary infrastructure. Wherever a water sulphate removal system is deployed, wastewater containing the captured sulphate will be produced. This wastewater must be planned for and managed to protect the environment from contamination.
With many factors to consider related to water quality and the importance of water to livestock production, testing water sources for dissolved sulphate can provide helpful information and peace of mind. Technology to remove sulfate from water may be practical in some situations, while exploration of alternative water sources may be the more realistic option in other settings.
For more information contact your nearest livestock and feed extension specialist by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
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