Getting the dugout ready for the grazing season is extremely important and can have big influences on the quality and availability of water for your livestock. There are a few things to consider when preparing a dugout for use.
The first, is addressing the issue of Dugout nutrient loading. Nutrient loading of dugouts leads to increased bacterial and algae growth. Some of the bacteria and algae that grow in our dugouts can cause off tastes in the water, and sickness. The best way to limit nutrient addition to dugouts is limiting livestock accessibility to the Dugout. Restricting direct access to dugouts from livestock not only extends the dugout life by reducing trampling and collapsing of banks, it allows forage growth which helps to trap nutrient run off, and it reduces fecal and urine addition to water.
Summer heat, nutrients and sitting water is the perfect combination for algae growth in our dugouts. This may be a concern, as Blue green algae or cyanobacteria produces toxins that have the potential to cause sickness and in some cases deaths when consumed by our livestock. Algae is easy to prevent with the addition of one of the registered copper sulphate treatments available for dugouts. Growth of algae occurs as water warms so prevention entails an initial dose followed by visually inspecting dugouts and adding the treatment when necessary as algae growth is observed. It’s important to note that correct doses should be used as toxicity of animals can occur if too much product is added.
Aeration can have a positive influence on dugout water quality. In a study done at Western Beef Development Center near Lanigan, SK, yearlings gained 0.2lbs per day more when drinking aerated water compared to water straight from the dugout. Aeration helps to prevent algae growth as well as decreases the population of anaerobic bacteria in our dugouts. Examples of anaerobic bacteria effects in out dugouts include ammonia formation and hydrogen sulfide gas which are associated with odour and off tastes.
For more information, on this topic or to learn about funding available for water on your farm you can contact Leah Clark; 1-306-946-3237: Call the Agriculture Knowledge Center 1-866-457-2377 or visit our website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.
Leah Clark, Regional Livestock Specialist, Watrous
