Water quality and forage availability focus of drought meeting

Twenty-five livestock producers attended the MSU Extension livestock management during drought meeting on Monday, August 21. Dr. Rachel Endecott, MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist discussed water quality limitations for livestock consumption. Water sources that are over 10,000 parts per million for (ppm) for Total Dissolves Solids (TDS) is not recommended for any livestock. “What part of TDS that is made up by Sulfates is what really matters for livestock production and the only way to know is through a water test” stated Endecott. Sulfate levels over 3,500 ppm can cause polio like symptoms...