A new study that links sulfur dioxide to poorer cattle health is scientific evidence of what farmers have been saying for years, says one group of producers.
In a three-year investigation, the University of Alberta research found that in a controlled environment, exposure to sulfur dioxide showed measurable damage to the animal’s lungs, some suppression of the immune system, and a need for about 10 percent more feed.
“This confirms what we’ve experienced ourselves and what most of our neighbours around the province have found for a long time,” said John Bocock of St. Albert. He has complained for years that there was a link between the flaring of sulfur dioxide gas from stacks near his farm and the dairy cattle’s poor health.
Read Also
Forecast leans toward cooling trend
July saw below average temperatures, August came in with near to slightly above average temperatures and September built on this warming trend with well above average temperatures for the month.
“This is very, very refreshing,” said Bocock, who added the twinning rate of their animals jumped from one percent to seven percent after sour gas was flared from a nearby gas flare stack.
Sulfur dioxide, a byproduct of the oil and gas industry, has been a long-simmering dispute between the oil and gas industry and cattle producers. Producers said routine emissions from sour gas plants and flare stacks, as well as gas well blowouts and line leaks, have had a negative impact on people and livestock.
Gene Rawe of Alberta Beef Producers said producers must remember this was only a small study with 36 animals, and that the problems between livestock and sulfur dioxide are only in pockets of the province.
“This is not a widespread issue it once was. The industry has really cleaned up its act,” he said.
Ila Johnston of Sundre said it’s good to get scientific evidence of what she and her husband Wayne have suspected for years. A sour gas pipeline leak near their farm in 1994 has had a lasting impact on their health and their animals.
“We knew from watching, but the lack of scientific proof always held us back from doing anything. If the scientist doesn’t say, it can’t be true,” said Johnston. She has reactive airway disease, similar to asthma, which she believes is caused by chemicals from the sour gas leak.
Bob Christopherson, a specialist in animal physiology at the University of Alberta, said the study showed immunity suppression when the animals were exposed to sulfur dioxide.
“If their response was compromised, it’s quite possible these animals could succumb to infection. What we’ve seen is that certain changes in the immune system could be less than desirable for the health of the animals,” said Christopherson.
In the study, the animals were trained to hold their heads in a type of ventilation hood. Either fresh air or air with measured amounts of sulfur dioxide could be directed into the hood. The exposure was for six hours a day, five days a week, in an attempt to simulate exposure in a natural setting.
“If there is an animal out in a field exposed to elevated levels of sulfur dioxide, there is a potential the immune system could be compromised by that exposure,” said Christopherson.
He added he doesn’t know if the intermittent pattern of exposure in the lab reflects what would happen in the field. He would like to see more research on how to treat animals that have been exposed and enhance their rate of recovery.
