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

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

Summary

An evaluation of zeolite (clinoptilolite) fed to steers in a feedlot setting was not successful in preventing and/or reducing the effects of high sulfate water consumption. Our research team identified an alternative, molybdenum, as a potential feed additive for reducing the negative effects of high sulfate water consumption. Preliminary results show molybdenum substantially reduced the production of hydrogen sulfide gas in vitro. Hydrogen sulfide gas is the primary agent implicated in the development of polioencephalomalacia in livestock fed high sulfate water, leading to poor animal performance and death. An evaluation of the impacts of feeding molybdenum will be conducted in summer 2009.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Determine the appropriate feed additive 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 that feed additive on cooperator ranches.

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

Accomplishments/Milestones

In summer 2008, an in vitro trial was conducted to evaluate the relative effectiveness of molybdenum in reducing production of hydrogen sulfide gas by rumen bacteria when exposed to high-sulfate water. The negative control was distilled water with no molybdenum, which produced a baseline 1525 ppm H2S. When high-sulfate water (2500 ppm SO4 in distilled water) was tested without molybdenum in vitro with rumen fluid, H2S was elevated to 2900 ppm. With the addition of molybdenum (in the form of sodium molybdate) at 50, 100, or 150 ppm in vitro, H2S was reduced to 0 ppm regardless of whether the water base was distilled or 2500 ppm SO4.

In vivo trials of molybdenum addition to the diets of animal in drylot and on rangeland will be conducted in summer 2009. Supplementation pellets containing sodium molybdate will be fed to livestock to evaluate the effectiveness of molybdenum in reducing the negative impact of high-sulfate water (2500 ppm SO4) on animal performance. One of the concerns with addition of molybdenum to livestock diets is the potential for copper deficiency, so we will also examine the effect of supplemental copper in the diets of livestock receiving molybdenum in these studies.

Publications

Johnson, P., K. M. Cammack, C. L. Wright, K. J. Austin, R. R. Cockrum, K. L. Kessler, and K. C. Olson. Effects of high-sulfur water and clinoptilolite on health and growth performance of steers fed forage-based diets. J Anim Sci. 2010; 88(5): p. 1777-1785

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.

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