Dwayne recognizes that efficient use of on-farm produced feedstuffs impacts farm profitability. In his role as livestock and feed extension specialist, Dwayne provides information and recommendations to match feedstuffs to livestock feeding programs with a focus on maximizing livestock productivity and well-being. Dwayne has 20 years of experience advising clients in various aspects of livestock management, ration development, forage production and utilization. Dwayne has a master of science with a focus on grazing ruminant nutrition and a bachelor of science in agriculture (animal science) from the University of Saskatchewan.

In today’s episode, we are discussing water quality testing, how water quality can impact animal health and productivity and linking all of this to the bottom line, looking at the economics associated with water intake and weight gain, reproduction and overall health.

Dwayne shares his personal history in agriculture and what led him to his current position as a Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist with the Government of Saskatchewan. We also discuss the defining moment in Dwayne’s agricultural history that led you down this path of interest in water quality for livestock.

Starting very broadly, Dwayne shares the importance of water in animal health when thinking about the psychological processes required by the body and how much water is required by cattle at different stages of growth and development.

We move into talking about water management and how to test water quality. Dwayne shares information on the compositions of water and what ideal ranges are for consumption by cattle. Including pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Copper, Nitrates and Nitrites. Dwayne also discusses secondary deficiencies and why this is important to think about in water management.

We also discuss the presence of viruses and parasites, and blue-green algae and how it impacts livestock health. Dwyane also shares the process of how producers can reduce the risks of a blue-green algae problem in their water.

We start to wrap up by discussing what management options are available to producers when good quality water is not available and then dive into a bit of the economics and statistics of weight gain in calves under different water management strategies.

For more information visit these links:

Province of Mb; Evaluating Water Quality for Livestock:

https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/pork/evaluating-water-quality-for-livestock.html

Gov of Canada; Livestock Watering

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-production/water/livestock-watering

Gov of Canada; Water Quality Impacts on Livestock

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agricultural-production/water/livestock-watering/water-quality-impacts-livestock

Gov of Canada Publication: Livestock Water Quality A field Guide for Cattle, Horses, Poultry and Swine Andrew A. Olkowski, PhD., DVM., MSc., BSc., (Biochemistry) University of Saskatchewan, 2009

https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2009/agr/A22-483-2009E.pdf

Agri-Facts: Water Analysis Interpretation for Livestock (April 2007)