Q: Why do I need to be concerned about water quality in a drought?
A: With decreased precipitation, runoff and high temperatures and wind, surface water evaporates, resulting in a concentration of total dissolved solids, and depending on what those solids or salts are, the result could be health and performance problems in livestock, which could result in death loss. Blue green algae can also be a concern.
Q: How do I know if I have a problem with sulfate in my water?
A: Have your water tested using an electroconductivity meter. This will tell you the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) in your water and will be an indicator of whether additional testing is needed. If a sample tests over 3,000 ppm TDS, additional testing is recommended to determine which salts are highest? SDSU Extension Regional Centers and some County Offices have EC meters, or you can purchase one for your own use. Simply collect a sample in a clean container with a lid. It does not need to be sterile.
Q: What solids/salts are going to cause the biggest problem and what are symptoms?
A: In South Dakota we are most concerned about high sulfate water. If water sulfate levels are 1500 to 2500 ppm you will likely see reduced water intake, diarrhea, and decreased animal performance. At higher concentrations of sulfate, i.e. levels greater than 3000 ppm, sulfates are acutely toxic, contributing to polioencephalomalacia (PEM). This basically means it causes softening and deterioration of brain tissue. Symptoms range from reduced water and feed intake, lethargy, star-gazing, head-pressing, blindness, staggering, going down, and end in death. They can progress through this range of symptoms rapidly without treatment.
Q: Is there any treatment for sulfate toxicity in livestock?
A: Dr. Russ Daly, Extension Veterinarian that the following “Per se there is nothing specific for sulfate toxicity, but we usually consider polio to be one of the consequences of high sulfur intake. I think it’s important to differentiate between the two. High sulfate water may cause the cattle to back away, cause some diarrhea, rough coats, etc. Or it could lead to polio, which actually can be caused by other things as well. Sulfur-induced polio is not as easy to treat as other causes (feedlot acidosis, for example). Thiamine is probably the universal treatment, along with anti-inflammatories such as dexamethasone to reduce swelling in the brain.” The best recommendation is to consult your veterinarian.
Q: What can I do if I have high sulfate water?
A: Unfortunately options are limited. Here are some possible options, but determine return on investment before starting.
- Pipeline from rural water district.
- Drill a new well, but this water could also be high in sulfates.
- Pasture management by using high risk pastures when the hazard is lowest, which would be when water requirements are lowest, or during cold weather and the cows are dry.
- Haul low-sulfate water to the pastures although extremely expensive, this may be the only viable option, at least temporarily.
Q: How much water will a cow drink in a day?
A: A beef cow that is lactating has a water requirement of 15 gallons per day, but this can range from 12-20 gallons depending on the individual animal and weather conditions. Water requirements increase with higher temperatures.
Q: Are there any other concerns with water in stock dams during a drought?
A: Yes, blue green algae can be a problem in warm, stagnant waters, and the current weather conditions are ideal for creating this problem.
Q: How do I know if I have blue green algae?
A: Blue - green alga does not look like your traditional mat of algae, but appears like small grains of green sand at the water surface. When the algae begin to die, gas is produced in the cells causing the colonies of algae to float to the water surface. The wind blows the algae bloom to the shorelines resulting in concentration of the bloom and easy access to the livestock. Identification of blue-green algae bloom in the water can be difficult because the bloom appears and disappears rapidly.
Q: What are the symptoms of blue green algae poisoning?
A: Death can occur within 24 hours or less after ingestion of the toxic algae bloom to all species including sheep, horses, cattle and small animals. Since death occurs rapidly clinical signs of tremors, paralysis, respiratory failure, diarrhea, and salivation are often not seen. Most often you will find the animal dead close to the contaminated water. If the animal survives, photosensitization (sunburn) is noticeable. If blue-green algae poisoning appears to be the culprit of death, examine the hair and skin for blue-green staining.
Q: Can I treat an animal that has blue green algae poisoning?
A: Treatment of the animal is usually not an option since death occurs so rapidly.
Q: What should I do if I think I have a problem and have lost livestock due to blue green algae?
A: A complete set of tissues (liver, brain, stomach contents) and a water sample is needed for diagnosis. The water sample should be taken from concentrated areas. The diagnostic lab requires, 10 ml of water in equal amounts of 10% formalin, and a quart of water frozen. Work with your veterinarian to submit samples properly to the SDSU Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Lab.
Q: How can I prevent blue green algae poisoning?
A: Remove the animals from the pasture, control access to the pond especially areas downwind where concentration occurs, pull water from below the surface in the middle of the pond to a holding tank to avoid the scum on top. Treat water source with cooper sulfate as an algaecide if the site is known for blue green algae bloom.
Source: Adele Harty
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