Water is one of the most important—and often overlooked—nutrients in livestock production. In Northeastern Alberta, dry conditions and fluctuating water levels are putting increasing pressure on dugout water quality, with real impacts on herd health and performance.

LARA’s Dugout Project is a hands-on demonstration designed to show how quickly water quality can change—and how management decisions can make a difference.

Across the grazing season, we’re monitoring three common systems:

• Direct access dugouts
• Fenced dugouts with nearby troughs
• Fenced dugouts with off-site watering systems

From May through October, each site is assessed through regular field observations and lab testing to track changes in water quality over time.

The goal? To provide producers with practical, locally relevant insights they can apply on their own operations—supporting cleaner water, healthier cattle, and stronger profitability.