Livestock Water Quality Testing Pilot Project

What it is:

BC Cattlemen's Association has partnered with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food to initiate a Livestock Water Quality Testing Pilot Project. This project will serve as a proactive way for producers to test their water and mitigate potential losses.

Why it was developed:

• Sever drought and dry weather conditions can negatively impact the quality of livestock drinking water and have serious implications on animal health and reproduction.
• Impacts from poor water quality are often discovered after animals have suddenly become ill or a group of susceptible animals, such as claves, die.

How it works:

• Water conductivity meters will be located in each BCCA region, making water testing more accessible for producers. 
• Producers can collect a sample form a water source (well, dugout, etc.) and drop it  off at the nearest sample location.
• A technician will use a conductivity meter to test the water for conductivity, which is a general measure of water quality.
• If the conductivity test presents concerning results, the sample can be sent to a lab for additional testing.

Reminders:

• Thoroughly clean a 1 litre bottle to collect your sample in
• Be sure the bottle is full
• You may submit multiple samples to be conductivity tested
• Be sure to know the source type - ground or surface water
• Take a photo with your phone of the id sheet you filled out with the sample to have a record

Contacts

BCCA Environmental Committee Coordinator

Sarah MacDonald