Water for Livestock Use

Range and Pasture Technical Note Number MT-21

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Range and Pasture Technical Note Number MT-21 (PDF; 91 KB)

May 1971.
The following Livestock Sanitary Board's standard for stockwater was sent in by Pete Tragitt.

1.

Alkali or mineral waters generally contain several salts or minerals in solution. Unless one salt or ion predominates over all of the others, it is more appropriate to evaluate the water on the basis of the total dissolved solids than it is to try to evaluate it on a basis of separate ions and salts. The following criteria are used at this laboratory in evaluating mineral waters for livestock use:

To convert parts per million (ppm) to grains per gallon, divide by 17.1. *

A water rated as fair or anything below fair in the above rating should not be used if a better supply is available. A water rated as unsatisfactory should never be used except in case of an emergency. These figures and ratings are made on the basis of dissolved minerals and on the assumption that the water is kept free of pollution and organic contamination detrimental to livestock.

2.

Nitrate and nitrite ions are known to have a deleterious effect on humans and livestock. The following observations concerning nitrates (NO₃) in water for livestock use are taken from "Professional Topics", Bulletin No. 14, University of Illinois, July-August 1964:

3.

The Diagnostic Laboratory at Montana State University, Box 997, Bozeman, will make such analyses of questionable waters as are necessary to determine fitness for livestock consumption. This can generally be accomplished with a quantative determination for dissolved solids (TDS) and qualitative determination for the common ions. Where a more complete analysis is desired, contact should be made with a commercial laboratory which will make a fairly complete analysis for approximately $25.00.

4.

Waters used for human consumption should be referred to the local public health officer or to the State Department of Health for evaluation for human consumption from both a mineral and bacteriological standpoint. Waters which are approved for human consumption by the State Department of Health may always be considered suitable for livestock use.

* For a broad perspective, one part per million may be illustrated by one ounce of vermouth in a railroad tank car of gin.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Ronald Nadwornick, State Resource Conservationist
Phone: (406) 587-6998
Email: Ronald.Nadwornick

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Last Modified: 08/22/2008