Agriculture Water Challenges

Water Quality in Agriculture

Mary Katherine Foy

Are We Missing Something?

Six Issues That Can Be Related To WaterHigh mortalityEnteric issuesPoor performanceDisease grow out after grow outLow vaccination effectLow water consumption

Dependence on Water Increases When:

Diets are high in saltSows are lactatingAmbient temperature is highThere is an increase in crude protein in the dietThe pig has fever or diarrhea

Minerals Often overlooked but affect many areas of water quality

Bacteria Can make pigs sick and choke down water pipe size

Fungi, Algae Can restrict flow of water through pipe and out drinkerWhat Can Be In The Water?

Affect feed absorption (Sulfur)Change the taste of the water (Zinc)Cause diarrhea (Sodium+Chloride)Damage neuro-system (Nitrates)Damage Heart and liver (Nickel)

What Do Minerals Do?

Each Farm is its Own Ecosystem Ask QuestionsWhat is the source?How deep is this source?What is happening at that level underground?What is the mineral profile?Minerals are being added some are not a problem for the pigs, like Calcium.Other minerals can be harsh on intestines and prevent proper absorption - Sulfates

Each Farm is its Own EcosystemHas there been a drought/flooding?What is happening next door?Can change from season to season No such thing as pure drinking waterPigs already receive a balanced diet Certain bacteria, algae and fungus thrive off of particular minerals (Iron)

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Even Treated Water can Present Challenges

Cross section of pipe with mineral and bacterial buildup

Holding Tanks Allow

Minerals to Settle, But

Can be the Source of

Other Challenges.

Concrete Tanks Present Their Own Challenges

What Can You do About Minerals?Filtration (cotton, sand, carbon, RO)WellBarn

Sedimentation TankChemical Binding

What Other Life are You Growing ?

Advantages of Closed Watering Systems

Improved sanitationReduced spillageDryer manure when managed properlyDecrease ammonia volatilizationEliminates daily chore of cleaning troughs

Water lines less than one year old

City water

Still a source of Bordetella

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Algae Bloom vs. BiofilmPrevious slide demonstrated an obvious Algae Bloom from the continuous use of acid products easily visually detected

Biofilms are often clear and hard and therefore are NOT always visually detectable

One of the highest bacterial counts on a farm I ever detected came from squeaky clean pipes the biofilm had formed a plaque

Untreated water lines have biofilmBiofilms live on very little nutrientsCan cause health challenges from one production cycle to the next production cycleHarbors disease agents like E coliOnce established is 10-1000x harder to removeCan repopulate in 2-3 days When we do a poor job of removalWhen we dont treat water during grow outWhen we add food supply

The Biofilm Slime: Source of Challenges

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VitaminsElectrolytesOrganic acidsMedicationsVaccines and vaccine stabilizersAntibioticsLines cleaned after product use?Lines cleaned when facilities empty?

What Influences Biofilms?

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Or Like This?

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One Auburn study found active, viable LT virus still living in the water line 21 days after its initial introduction

Chlorine is most common choiceReadily used when it enters the systemNot very effective below 65 FAffected by pHDoes not penetrate layers of organicsBacterial Resistance Harsh on Equipment

Water TreatmentChlorine

How pH Affects Chlorine Ratio of Hypochlorous Acid to Chloric Ion

%In SolutionpH of Water

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Acidifiers are not complete line cleaners they are de-scalers During high water usage, contact time is minimal You will get fungal blooms from low pH (thick slime)

Take home message: When using acids dont forget about effective cleaning afterwardsAcids

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What goes in the line can determine what grows in the line

Use a Product Designed for Cleaning

Line cleaned with acidLine cleaned with 3% Proxy-Clean

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Water Line CleaningWhen facilities are empty, power flush lines to remove sediment and loosen heavy soils

Prepare system to add water line cleaner

Be sure to follow label instructions for use and safe handling

Take note of the proper concentration too little product can be a waste of time and money

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Please remember that putting a medicator hose into the 1 gallon container and dosing the product into the water line is only a 0.78% solution and not the recommended rate for cleaning when facilities are empty

Line CleaningProper concentration is a 3% solution for cleaning lines when facilities are emptySpecial pumps called proportional pumpsQwik-Blend

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Cleaning when facilities are empty is essential.

There are also methods to treat the water while the animals are in the facilities.

This step can be vital in the nursery

Additives always need to be followed by effective water treatment

The First Few Weeks Can Make Or Break PerformanceRemember how slow the water is moving the first few weeksThe water will be as warm as the climate inside the barnThe pigs will continuously inoculate the same water over and over because it is moving so slowly

How important is the water quality to you at this point?

Clean Water Lines = Quality AnimalsFarms that have implemented a regular cleaning program report:Improved Performance

Lower Death Loss

Fewer Challenges

Lessons Learned Water BasicsWater is a very important NUTRIENT!!!We can control how clean the water is we give our pigsQuality water can be an easy and inexpensive way to grow a better, healthier pigKeep it simpleMore is not always better with water treatmentsThe pigs will tell you if your water program is right

The Ultimate Question: Will You Drink The Water You Are Giving Your Pigs?

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