Tool 11.6 Water quality for sheep
Water quality for sheep
The table listed below outlines important criteria for sheep water quality. Make calculations on the basis that sheep require up to 10% of their body weight in water in hot weather per day.
Be aware of the risk of blue green algae in dam water when water levels are low in warm weather as blue green algae can be toxic to sheep.
|
Total salinity
(ppm) |
Conductivity (μS/cm)
|
Magnesium (mg/L)
|
Suitability for use
|
|
<5,000 |
<8,500 |
<400 |
Suitable for all sheep |
|
5,000–10,000 |
8,500–16,500 |
<600 |
Not suitable for lambs and weaners, caution with lambing ewes |
|
10,000–15,000 |
16,500–25,000 |
<600 |
Only dry mature sheep which have adjusted to water |
|
>15,000 |
>25,000 |
>600 |
Not suitable for sheep |
Refer to tool 5.2 in MMFS Module 5 Protect Your Farm’s Natural Assets for a system for calculating farm water supply, quality and reliability.
