Total dissolved solids in water high in naturally occurring sulfates impacts serum and liver copper and selenium concentrations but does not affect the growth of beef heifers

This study evaluated whether water with high total dissolved solids (TDS) containing naturally occurring sulfates impacts feed and water intake, growth, and serum and liver minerals in crossbred Angus heifers (n = 48). Heifers were stratified by body weight into 12 pens and randomly assigned (n = 4 pens/treatment) to water with low (980 mg L-1), moderate (5,190 mg L-1), or high (9,720 mg L-1) TDS, resulting in sulfate concentrations of 350, 2,970, and 5,770 mg L-1. Body weight, average daily gain, dry matter and water intake, and the gain:feed ratio were not affected (P≥0.11) during the 100-d study. Serum Se increased (P