Water

Whether it's water for drinking, water for washing or water for pastures, the use and management of this resource is one of the hottest topics in livestock husbandry. But it can be too much of a good thing if it brings disease on to your property or helps one spread

Reduce the risk

Water and your livestock

Water in your state or territory

How can water affect animal health?

• Water sources shared by stock and wild /feral animals can encourage disease spread  Wild/feral animals can carry diseases and so it is important to minimise livestock contact with natural water sources that wild animals and birds also frequent.
• Water can transmit disease between your livestock groups
  Always have separate water troughs/ supply areas for your livestock groups to prevent them mixing and passing diseases between groups.
• Water can carry diseases to your stock
  Regularly inspect the origin of your property water supply, if it comes from a water supply frequented by wild/feral animals it may be carrying disease into your property.

Reduce the risk 

Be aware of the source of your water, and the uses you put it to. Drinking water is a common carrier of diseases as many viruses and bacteria can survive for long periods in water.

• Water can carry disease from wild animals so consider your options carefully
• Consider the specific risks for your system of production - using treated water or town water will reduce the risk of animal contamination
• Regularly check the source of your property's water supply
• Keep water bowls and troughs high enough that they cannot be contaminated by animal faeces
• Clean water troughs out regularly

Check: Is your water supply secure? Does wildlife live in it or have access to it? Can it be easily contaminated with chemicals or by passersby?

Water and your livestock

The uses of water, and how contaminated water can affect your livestock, will vary between industries. Each industry has different management practices and farm biosecurity tools to suit their own farming practices and address the specific pests and diseases that may cause problems for their livestock.

Alpacas	Beef cattle - extensive
Beef cattle - feedlot	Chickens - for eggs
Chickens- for meat	Dairy Cattle
Goats	Honey Bees
Horses	Pigs
Sheep

Water in your state or territory

Water can contribute to disease spread in any climate and location. Different regions of Australia may have different approaches to farm biosecurity depending on state laws, climate, disease status and other factors.

These pages will give you more information on farm biosecurity specific to your state or territory.

Australia	Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales	Northern Territory
Queensland	South Australia
Tasmania	Victoria
Western Australia