Minerals content of water sources for livestock production in Ethiopia

Minerals are essential nutrients for sustainable livestock production and productivity. Water is a source of minerals to livestock production beside of feed minerals. Presence of some minerals in water at higher levels will be toxic to animals and will affect animal health and productivity. So, it is essential to know the mineral content of water sources for livestock consumption in the country. This paper is based on a review of literature that were conducted on the mineral content and quality of water sources mainly for human consumption and other purposes in Ethiopia. Based on the literature values of the mineral content of the water sources and recommended values of minerals in livestock drinking water, the water sources were assessed for their suitability for livestock production. The review showed that the presence of variation in the mineral content of the water sources in Ethiopia. In addition, there is variation in the mineral content of the water sources between the dry and the wet season. The total dissolved solids (TDS), Calcium, magnesium, chromium and zinc content of the water sources in Ethiopia is within acceptable levels for livestock consumption. But the sodium, chloride, copper, fluoride, iron, lead and manganese content of some of the water sources (river, well and lake) in the country is beyond the maximum recommended level. This demands implementation of mitigation mechanisms to reduce the mineral contents of water sources; otherwise, it will result in deleterious effects on the health and productivity of animals. Generally, there is lack of adequate research on the mineral content of water sources for livestock production in the country. So, there is a need to conduct more research on the water sources being consumed by livestock in the country in the future.