Water Quality: Why is it important?

Clear as Mud

As summer is in full swing, water becomes a big concern on farms. There is always a push about water consumption and how to get pigs to drink more water in hot weather. What about water quality? This of course can be a large contributor to a decrease in consumption. Below we will talk about water quality and items to watch out for that usually contribute to poor quality water as well as the best environment to use Tonisity Px.

Background

Water is a unique nutrient. Even though it is essential to maintaining life it is difficult to determine water intake requirements since it can’t be studied like other nutrients. Due to its chemical makeup and overwhelming presence in the body, water is the key to successful bodily function. To best optimise water’s benefits, it must be ensured that the supplied water source is of adequate quality for pigs to have a good foundation for growth.

What Determines Water Quality?

When assessing a farm’s water quality, the focus should turn to the physical, chemical, and microbiological makeup of the water. This is done by analysing bacterial contamination, mineralcomposition, and the overall concentration of dissolved solids that the water contains. Bacterial contamination refers to the microorganisms like bacteria, protozoa, and certain viruses that take uphome in the water. If these are present, they can lead to a decline in animal health, digestive upset, and can contribute to biofilm development. Mineral content is an important factor in water due to somecontributing to nutritional health. Things like iron, sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, and water hardnessshould be monitored as this is the level of calcium and magnesium in the water.

Criteria to Watch For When Using Tonisity Px

1.TEMPERATURE

It is best to use room temperature water (about 20-30°C), which helps theTonisity Px powder dissolve into the water. It also simulates a drinking experience that young pigsare used to when consuming sow milk. The easiest way to achieve this desired temperature is to fill a clean mixing container with fresh water at the end of the day prior to usage the next morning andleave it in a temperate space

2 .HARDNESS

Hardness, sometimes known as chlorine levels, measures the minerals in the watersupply. If the water is extremely hard (>250-300 ppm), the Tonisity Px powder might be slow todissolve in the solution, especially if the water is also cold. As a short-term solution, bottled drinkingwater or distilled water may be used. For a longer-term solution, a water filtration system forsoftening the water may be used.

3.PALATABILITY

If the water contains contaminants like sulphates or iron in strongconcentrations, the pigs will not drink it. Most of the time, pigs will later surrender and drink thewater when they become dehydrated enough. Conversely, when we want piglets to consumeTonisity Px, we need a drink that tastes good. If the Tonisity Px powder is mixed with foultasting/smelling water, they will refuse the solution and revert to sow milk.

4.BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION

While the presence of bacteria in the water doesn’t necessarilymean it is unsafe to drink, the presence of pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms (bacterial orparasitic) in drinking water is a concern. In some cases, we have seen that a water supply’s qualityhas been affected by bacterial contamination, which is sometimes a regional issue. When consumedby pigs, the bacteria can cause diarrhea and diseases. It is important to have your water samplesanalysed by a local laboratory to determine if pathogenic bacteria are affecting your water supply