Effectiveness of thiamin in reducing the impacts of high-sulfate water

Effectiveness of thiamin in reducing the impacts of high-sulfate water

Summary

A comparison of two concentrations of zeolite (clinoptilolite) fed to steers in a feedlot setting was conducted to determine efficacy in preventing and/or reducing the effects of high sulfate water consumption. Preliminary results show zeolite, when added at low concentrations to steer diets, increased ADG.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Determine optimal levels of clinoptilolite for ameliorating the effects of high-sulfate water fed to cattle, its effectiveness when supplied to cattle grazing pastures and its cost effectiveness.

2. Initiate a demonstration of the effectiveness of clinoptilolite on cooperator ranches.

3. Educate producers on the dangers of high-sulfate water and their options for reducing its impacts.

Accomplishments/Milestones

A 73 day drylot study began 6/19/07. Rural water and water mixed with sodium sulfate salts to approximately 3000 ppm sulfate were analyzed for sulfate content. Steers were provided with either rural water (400 ppm sulfates) or high sulfate water (3000 ppm sulfates). Steers receiving the high sulfate water were provided either no supplement, low zeolite (clinoptilolite at 2.5% dry matter intake), or high zeolite (5% dry matter intake). Steers were weighed monthly to determine performance and checked daily to evaluate health. Animals demonstrating signs of polioencephalomalacia were removed from the study and treated.

Initial data analyses indicate that weight gains on the high sulfate water with low zeolite were higher than the high sulfate water with no zeolite. Weight gains on the high sulfate water with high zeolite treatment were not different.

In 2008, the experiment will be repeated in drylot with higher levels of zeolite (5% for the low level and 10% for the high level). Cattle on mixed-grass prairie pasture will be included in the study. Two pastures will receive low sulfate water and no zeolite. Two pastures will receive high sulfate water with no zeolite and two pastures will receive high sulfate water with zeolite (5% of estimated dry matter intake).

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Ranchers in western South Dakota, North Dakota, and northwestern Nebraska are dealing with high sulfate water in their surface and below-ground water sources. Water with sulfate levels in excess of 2500 ppm consumed by cattle result in poor weight gains and, in some cases, death. Many thousands of acres of rangeland are unusable, or only minimally usable due to a lack of low sulfate water sources. The problem is exacerbated under the current long-term drought that leaves surface water sources with higher concentrations of sulfates due to evaporation. Ranchers must obtain alternate sources of forage (hay, leased land) or provide alternate sources of water (piped or hauled) to their livestock at considerable cost. If this study can identify a supplement that allows cattle to utilize these poor water sources safely, these ranches can become more sustainable.

Collaborators: