2017-148: Dugout management for improved water quality

Researcher: Kerri Finlay

Funding: $45,043

Could farms and ranches construct and better manage their dugouts to limit blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), toxins, salinity, sulfates, and nitrates? As cattle have been shown to increase their weights and body condition through better water, and as there have been significant herd health problems even leading to death in the past year alone, these improvements could greatly improve your herd health. Samples from dugouts throughout Saskatchewan will evaluate the relationship between dugout characteristics and water quality. The researchers will report their findings to cattle producers after their research is complete in 2019.