Cattle tend to perform up to 20 percent better when they drink clean water, according to a five year study in Alberta.
Walter Willms, a range ecologist at Agriculture Canada’s research centre in Lethbridge, Alta., said the findings are encouraging ranchers to improve stock water management.
The study was funded by the Waldron Grazing Association in southwestern Alberta and Agriculture Canada.
Farmers are showing particular interest in fencing dugouts and pumping water to troughs as a way to prevent cattle from directly contaminating the water.
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Willms and his research team found that cattle drinking from a dugout spend significantly less time grazing than those offered clean water.
Palatability was also shown to be an important water quality factor. When their drinking water is contaminated with manure, for instance, they may not drink enough, which can affect weight gain.
“This work has made producers aware of the importance of water quality, and it has resulted in a number of them changing the way they deliver water to cattle,” Willms said.
“It has certainly given some impetus to the notion of fencing dug-outs.”
Willms is also involved in a study that uses coagulation and aeration to improve water quality.
