More than $8M committed to livestock research in Sask.

A researcher from the University of Saskatchewan has been tasked with finding a solution to sulfate-contaminated water hurting livestock producers.

The water quality research project is one of 28 that received funding during an announcement at the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference in Saskatoon on Wednesday.

Nearly $8.1 million is funded through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) with support from the federal government. A third of the funding will support the operations of the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence.

Gregory Penner, an associate professor with the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the U of S, was awarded a grant to examine sulfate concentrations, which cattle producers have raised as a concern.

High levels can cause nutrient deficiency, reproductive issues and even death.

“Saskatchewan has a lot of water. But water sometimes limits our ability to use the vast land range we have because the quality isn’t suitable for livestock,” Penner said.

One potential solution his team will be testing includes supplementing cattle with an ingredient found in Pepto-Bismol.

“The active compound binds to sulfides, which is what is produced in the urine of cattle when they drink high sulfate water. So if we combine those sulfides, we can reduce the risk, potentially, of high sulfate water.”

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said investigating in research is key to keeping the agriculture industry strong.

“If we want to see growth here in the province, even in the livestock sector, all sectors, we have to look at new innovative ways,” he said.

More information on the projects can be found here.