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US Fish & Wildlife Service - Journal Entry Water quality and livestock production presentations at NRCS livestock-wildlife water workshops Region 2, June 7, 2007 Dave Smith, USFWS Wildlife Biologist with AESO, gave two presentations at two workshops sponsored by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and Bat Conservation International in Holbrook and Kirtland, Arizona on June 5 and 7, 2007.  The workshop was presented to local ranchers and focussed on wildlife and livestock use of water.  Smith gave a presentation on the effects of poor water quality have on beef production. The emphasis of  the presentations was to encourage ranchers to consider piping water to above ground troughs to provide livestock with drinking water.  Research has shown that siginificant increases in weight gain occur when livestock are provided clean water in troughs rather than from ponds, springs or creeks.  Excluding livestock from ponds, springs and streams was shown to be an economic benefit to the livestock operator while protecting important wildlife habitat at the same time.  Information on potential funding sources for such water improvements was also presented. Contact Info: Martin Valdez, 505-248-6599, martin_valdez@fws.gov