Trey Patterson, Ph.D.Trey Patterson, Ph.D.Extension Beef SpecialistExtension Beef Specialist
South Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota State University
Effects on Animal Performance Effects on Animal Performance and Healthand Health
Water QualityWater Quality
Trey Patterson, Ph.D.Trey Patterson, Ph.D.Beef SpecialistBeef Specialist
South Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota State University
Effects on AnimalEffects on Animal Performance and HealthPerformance and Health
Water Quality
• Critical Issue in South Dakota and Region– Quantity– Quality
• Samples from 498 operations (23 states)– 6% > 1000 ppm sulfate– 50% of those in SD, ND, NE, KS
Gould et al., 2002
Total Dissolved Solids
• Indicator of total salt level
• Sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, and others
Nevada Research
• Na2SO4 water to heifers reduced:
– water consumption (35%)
– feed consumption (30%)
– increased weight loss
• NaCl did not affect performance(Weeth and Hunter, 1971)(Weeth and Hunter, 1971)
Sulfates
• Field Observations in western SD have shown sodium sulfate major salt in water– sulfates about 64% of TDS
• Recent work has shown sulfur intake (from water and feed) is at potentially toxic levels in many South Dakota Ranches
Gould et al., 2002
Water Sulfur
• Sulfur Requirement: 0.15%
• Maximum Tolerable Level: 0.40%
NRC, 1996
Effect of Salts in Drinking Water
1) Reduced water/feed consumption– Reduced performance
2) Ingestion of toxic sulfur levels– Disease and reduced performance
3) Induced Copper deficiency– Reduced performance and health
Water Intake
• Size*• Physiological State*• Temperature*• Salt intake (and salts in water)*• Dry Matter Intake*• Activity• Water intake from feed• Rate of Gain
Water Intake 800 lb Heifer
NRC, 1996NRC, 1996
Finishing Steer Performance
Quadratic, P = 0.02Quadratic, P = 0.02
Sulfur from water sulfatesSulfur from water sulfates
Loneragan et al., 2001Loneragan et al., 2001
Finishing Steer Performance
Linear, P < 0.10Linear, P < 0.10
Sulfur from water sulfatesSulfur from water sulfates
Loneragan et al., 2001Loneragan et al., 2001
Sulfur Toxicity
• Sulfur can be antagonistic to thiamin (Brent and Bartely, 1984)
• Thiamin deficiency has been associated with Polioencephalomalacia (PEM)(McDowell, 1989)
Sulfur Toxicity
• PEM associated with hydrogen sulfide production, not blood thiamin (McAllister et al., 1997)
• Hydrogen sulfide can be inhaled following eructation (Kandylis, 1984)
• Hydrogen sulfide disrupts energy metabolism in brain cells– Necrotic lesions---PEM
Previous Research
Dietary sulfur levels of 0.9% have been associated with PEM
Loneragan et al., 1998Loneragan et al., 1998
Finishing Steer Performance
Quadratic, P < 0.10Quadratic, P < 0.10
Sulfur in diet from ammonium sulfateSulfur in diet from ammonium sulfate
Zinn et al., 1997Zinn et al., 1997
Copper and Sulfur
SO22- S2- MoS2-
sulfatesulfate sulfidesulfide thiomolybdatethiomolybdate
•CuCu- - MoS2- is not available
•Sulfates > 300 ppm
Water Intake: 2001
aa
bb bb
(P = .07)(P = .07)
Dry Matter Intake: 2001
aabb bb
(P = .08)(P = .08)
Average Daily Gain: 2001
aa
bb bb
(P < .05)(P < .05)
Health: 2001Morbidity: P = .02Morbidity: P = .02Mortality: P = .40Mortality: P = .40Polio: P = .08Polio: P = .08
Sulfur Intake: 2001
400 3100 3900
% DM 0.27 0.74 0.93
grams/d 22 56 71
Target Sulfates, ppm
Water Intake: 2002
(Linear, P < 0.01)(Linear, P < 0.01)
Dry Matter Intake: 2002
(Quadratic, P < 0.05)(Quadratic, P < 0.05)
Average Daily Gain: 2002
(quadratic: P < .05)(quadratic: P < .05)
Health: 2002Morbidity: P < .01Morbidity: P < .01Mortality: P < .01Mortality: P < .01Polio: P < .01Polio: P < .01
Dietary Sulfur: 2002
400 1700 2900 4600
% DM 0.26 0.48 0.68 1.1
g/d 24 45 58 66
Target Sulfates, ppm
DMI vs. Water Intake
Average Daily Gain on Pasture Average Daily Gain on Pasture 20012001
Average Daily Gain on Pasture Average Daily Gain on Pasture 20012001
(P < 0.10)(P < 0.10)
Pasture Average Daily Gain: 2002
(P < .01)(P < .01)
• 96 cows
• 3 pastures received rural water– Sulfates: 389 ppm
• 3 pastures received water with sodium sulfate added:
• Sulfates: 2600 ppm (1900-3000)
Weight Change: 2003
Weight Change: P = 0.09Weight Change: P = 0.09
+ 10 lb+ 10 lb -36 lb-36 lb
Body Condition Score: 2003
BCS Change: P = 0.22BCS Change: P = 0.22
-.30-.30 -.48-.48
Calf Average Daily Gain: 2003
(P > .50)(P > .50)
SulfatesSulfates, ppm Comments< 500Safe500-1500 Safe, may have laxative
effect1500-3000 Marginal, reduce
performance and health
3000-4000 Poor, likely to reduce performance and may cause polio
>4000 Dangerous
Poor Water?
• Use earlier in summer
• Use when temperatures not elevated
• Reduce heat stress on cattle
• Mix with better water
• Water development
Poor Water?
• Use on dry cows or low producing livestock
• Wean calves
• Pay attention to sulfur in other feeds, especially alternative feeds
Thiamin Trial: Average Daily Gainaa
bb
cc
(P < 0.06)(P < 0.06)
Water Management
• Know your water quality and develop a plan to best manage water
• If you are forced to use poor water:– Be aware of potential impacts on
performance– Have a PEM treatment plan– Have a strong mineral program
Copper Supplementation
• May be necessary year around if high sulfates, iron or molybdenum are present (10 to 40 ppm Cu from supplement)– Organic Cu Sources– Sulfates or Chlorides
• Check forage and water: adequate mineral intake important