Testing drinking water for livestock is an important step for diagnosing problems related to water quality that could limit productivity and profitability. It is not uncommon for aesthetic problems, such as odors and tastes, to cause water intake in livestock to drop. This, in turn, can reduce productivity. Less frequently, bacterial contamination can adversely affect animal health.

Livestock Water Test Packages

Two test packages are available. The Basic Livestock Water Package includes essential tests for assessing livestock drinking water quality. The Basic Livestock Water Package Plus Bacteria includes tests from the basic package plus tests for total coliform bacteria and E. Coli. For total coliform bacteria and E. Coli, the water must reach the lab within 30 hours of sampling and by Thursday of any given week. The lab cannot accept samples for bacteria testing on a Friday.

Service Fees

Service Includes the following: Fee
Basic Livestock Water Package pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate-nitrogen, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate and hardness $50.00
Basic Livestock Water Package Plus Bacteria pH, total dissolved solids, nitrate-nitrogen, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, hardness, plus total coliform bacteria and E. Coli $75.00

Submitting Your Sample

To submit a livestock drinking water sample to the laboratory, you should first obtain a free sample mailer, available from the laboratory or from many county offices of Penn State Extension. Payment must be submitted with sample.

Livestock Water Submission Form and Sampling Instructions

PDF document, 159.0 KB

Interpreting Drinking Water Tests for Dairy Cows

This fact sheet describes some of the common pollutants found in water supplies in Pennsylvania and their potential effect on dairy cows.

Ag Analytical Services Lab

Address

720 Tower Rd
University Park, PA 16802
Directions

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Ag Analytical Services Lab

Address

720 Tower Rd
University Park, PA 16802
Directions

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM