Meeting water requirements of cattle on the Canadian prairies1
Douglas M. VeiraAgriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, PO Box 1000, Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada V0M 1A0. Email: veirad@agr.gc.ca
The Rangeland Journal 29(1) 79-86 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ07003
Submitted: 22 January 2007 Accepted: 15 March 2007 Published: 14 June 2007
Abstract
This paper examines some of the issues producers have in meeting the drinking water requirements of livestock on the Canadian prairies where they are dependent on varied ground and surface water sources. In supplying water for their cattle, producers often have problems that can affect their present and future operations. Water quality is one such problem as it can affect both the health and performance of livestock. The impact of the water quality in earthen reservoirs, the presence of sulphates in both surface and ground water, and toxins from cyanobacteria all have the potential to reduce herd productivity in the Canadian prairies. Another concern is the impact that grazing cattle can have on riparian vegetation, stream morphology, fish habitat and pollution of waterways. Damage is often caused by uncontrolled and season long grazing of cattle along water courses; options for controlling the damage are discussed. Finally, competition for a diminishing supply of water in the semi-arid Canadian prairies will become a major problem in the future. To remain viable and competitive, the livestock industry will have to develop and adopt strategies to address these issues.
Additional keywords: riparian, water quality.
Acknowledgements
The provision of the information in Table 1 and fruitful discussions with D. Corkall are gratefully acknowledged. Funds contributed by the Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund and the technical assistance of L. Liggins and B. Wheatley made the conduct of the trials on drinking choice made by cattle possible. The work of A. Grout on the influence of sulphates on water intake is appreciated.
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1 Presented at the Spatial Grazing Behaviour Workshop, June 14–15, 2006, J.M. Rendel Laboratory, Rockhampton.
