1c. Water and Energy Flashcards
What is the most important nutrient to life?
WATER
What is the major constituent of an animal’s body?
Water, 75% at birth, 60% as an adult
Why is water classed as a macronutrient?
Req in large amouns
unlike proein, fat or carbs do not provide a source of energy
What does water do?
disperses nutrients and waste
promotes optimal environment for biochemical reactions
regulates body temperature
lubricates joints, eyes and inner ear (transmits sound)
What are the 3 natural sources of getting water?
drinking, food, oxidation reactions in nutrients
What are some things that might happen with a lack of water?
thirst and dehydration, reduced heat tolerance, poor performance, poor production, death (3-10d), colid (especially horses)
What is an example of surface water?
Open - flowing, like rivers
Closed - ex. salt lakes
What is water quality important?
poor water quality decreases water consumption and food intake, which decreases performance
Water intake can vary depending on the physiological status of the animal
Beef cow can drink 5% of her body weight per day
dairy cow producing milk may drink four times that much
What are enteric infectious agents?
Allowing animals to enter water sources to drink is poor practice bc it can result in fecal contam of water, many enteric bact, protozoa and parasites can be transmitted by fecal contam of water. animals routinely enter stagnant watering sources at risk for bact infections
trials shown animals will preferentially select to drink water from alt choices, if present
What are the benefits to fencing water sources?
preserves banks, less nutrients in water from saliva (K, P, N) so less algal growth, less dz, better growth of calves, less algal blooms
Use pump to deliver water to a nearby trough
can be combined with aeration such as windmills used so wind energy can pump water from sources
What is glue green algae poisoning?
cyanobacteria commonly inhabit ponds and lakes and will multiply if there is warm weather and organic nutrients suddenly inc due to run off from slurry (liquid waste) from lagoons or fertilizers (N, P)
steady, gentle wind may concentrate
many species float and may be visible as a scum (makes water turbid)
A few species produce toxins that cause CNS signs and often sudden death
Fence off an aerate water
Why might mineral contamination be a problem?
In Arid areas (like SK is semi-arid): high air temp and low soil moisture = high soil temps which stim bact respiration and = soils w/ 10x lower organic C and N
Closed surface waters: Flows in and evaporates, especially late summer, green salt lake
Wells: shallow to medium depth, minerals can contaminate a private well thru groundwater movement and surface water seepage and water run-off
How might prairie sloughs have mineral contamination?
typically lowest mineral content in spring following runoff
highest in late summer
most sloughs dry up in summer (1/3 of them disappear by mid-july in driest regions)
evaporation plus dessicating winds concentrate the nutrients that get washed into sloughs
What two main profiles might have mineral contamination?
calcium and magnesium plus carbs and bicarbs (shell remnants, hard water) most common type
sodium and potassium plus CL and sulfates (dried out seas)
What are we measuring for water mineral content?
Total dissolved solids (TDS, salinity) most useful overall indicator
sometimes measured as sum of ions, sometimes measured as conductance - easy to measure but not quite as accurate as directly measuring TDS
Waters with high TDS typically have high NA and K ions (bc these are highly soluble)
If the total dissolved salinity is <1000-3000 is it acceptable? Or Unsuitable?
Acceptable
If the total dissolved salinity is 3,000-5000 is it acceptable? Or Unsuitable?
Generally Acceptable; Requires further mineral analysis
May cause diarrhea
May reduce performance, reduce growth and affect health of ruminant
If the total dissolved salinity is 5,000-7000 is it acceptable? Or Unsuitable?
Poor
Likely to cause diarrhea
Avoid use for pregnant and/or lactating cows
Test for sulphates
Reduced animal performance
If the total dissolved salinity is 7,000-10,000 is it acceptable? Or Unsuitable?
Potentially unsuitable – unfit for young, pregnant or lactating cattle
Sulphates likely high
Negative effects in all animal classes
Further mineral analysis required
If the total dissolved salinity is >10,000 is it acceptable? Or Unsuitable?
Unsuitable
What are some problems caused with high total dissolved solids?
water refusal, lower feed intake, decreased prod, diarrhea
TDS < 1000ppm are always safe
TDS > 10, 000ppm are very dangerous
What is sulface toxicity and what are some signs of it?
Tolerance to sulfates depend on total dietary intake and water consumption
Total water consumption depends on: enviro temp, moisture lvl in feeds, stage of prod.
Some ability to become accustomed to sulfates (rumen microflora slowly shift over time)
Dz of cerebral cortex, signs: blindness and headpressing
Sulfate related form has a poor prognosis
If the sulphate lvls are <500, is it good, acceptable or unsuitable?
Good