{KXLG-Watertown, SD} South Dakota State University (SDSU) is expanding the animal manufacturers throughout the state to use the free water test services on site. The initiative is intended to help producers protect the health and productivity of the animal by identifying potential problems with water quality before they lead to problems.
“It is never too early to start testing your water,” said Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow/Wal Field Field Specialist. “The health of your animals should not be the indicator of water quality. Be proactive and test the water from the turnout to protect yourself from loss of productivity or death.”
Poor water quality can significantly influence growth and reproduction of the cattle base, which makes the consistent monitoring of water supply significantly. In severe cases, contaminated water can lead to diseases or even death. Salverson emphasized that the visual clarity does not guarantee water quality and that testing makes testing the only reliable method for evaluation.
SDSU Extension offers these important services in all eight regional centers and numerous district offices in South Dakota. The manufacturers are recommended to collect water rehearsals in a clean plastic or glass container such as a water bottle, a pot bottle or a jelly glass.
A free quick test is carried out using an electrical line measuring device (EC) in order to measure the total salt content in the water. After checking these first results of an SDSU extension field or a state specialist, further laboratory tests can be recommended. All additional, more detailed tests carried out by private laboratories would be at the manufacturer's expense.
Salverson found that various factors influence water quality, including snowfall, precipitation patterns and strategies for grazing management. In view of the fact that South Dakota floors often have a high salt content, this can contribute to increased salt levels for undergravations, streams and streams.
Salverson advised the producers to “really take their pasture management into account and how this affects or influences their water”.
For more information on cattle water test services, the manufacturers can contact Robin SalVerson, SDSU Extension COW/CALF field specialist or your nearest SDSU Extension Regional Center or the participating district office. The SDSU extension contains contact information for all regional centers and a list of district offices that offer tests by 2025.
Regional centers of SDSU extensions in which tests are available:
Aberdeen Regional Center: 605-626-2870
Lemmon Regional Center: 605-374-4177
Mitchell Regional Center: 605-995-7378
Pierre Regional Center: 605-773-8120
West River Research and Extension (Rapid City): 605-394-1722
Sioux Falls Regional Center: 605-782-3290
Watertown Regional Center: 605-882-5140
Special regional center: 605-842-1267
District offices where tests are available in 2025:
- Aurora County: Brandi Shroyer, 605-942-7754
- Bennett County: Mary Kay Sell, 605-685-6972
- Brookings County: Julie Walker, 605-688-5458
- Butte/Lawrence Counties: Cindy Riley/Audrey Pruitt, 605-892-3371
- Campbell County: Robin SalVerson, 605-955-3305
- Clark County: Kim McGraw/Stephanie Hagstrom, 605-532-3681
- Clay County: Rali Sykes, 605-677-7111
- Corson County: Robin SalVerson, 605-374-4177
- Charles Mix County: Jo Cee Johnston, 605-487-7666
- Dewey County: Rita Long, 605-865-3652
- Edmunds County: Morgan Weisser, 605-426-6971
- River County case: Erin McGlumphy/Chrissy Porter, 605-745-5133
- Gregory County: Sean Kelly, 605-842-1267
- Haakoon County: Lena Fitzgerald/Page Feders, 605-859-2
- Hanson County: Penny Speichenich, 605-239-4542
- Harding County: Robin SalVerson, 605-375-3412
- Hutchinson County: Jenaya Brengle, 605-387-4205
- Jerauld County: Teresa Fonder, 605-539-9471
- Jones/Mellette Counties: Grace Fogelman, 605-669-7101
- Kingsbury County: Kathy Dedeyne, 605-854-3851
- Lake County: Jen Hayford/Kim Mathieu, 605-256-7603
- McCook County: Stacy Sieverding, 605-425-2242
- McPherson County: Jackie Rau, 605-439-3331
- Miner County: Cheryl Moore/Jillian Calmus, 605-772-4661
- Moody County: Whitney Sams, 605-997-2469
- Oglala Lakota County: Troy Weston, 605-867-1843
- Roberts County: Lauren Saney/Dustie Richards, 605-698-7627
- Spink County: Kim McGraw/Michelle Schmitt, 605-472-5006
- Todd County: Ron Frederick, 605-856-2198
- Tripp County: Sean Kelly, 605-842-1267
- Walworth County: Robin SalVerson, 605-374-4177