Many Saskatchewan cattle producers are checking their livestock water supplies for high sulfate levels.

Free water testing is available through regional Agriculture ministry offices.

Provincial cattle specialist Leah Clark says the busiest location is Moose Jaw with 450 requests, followed by Swift Current, Outlook and Kindersley.

Livestock water quality testing results are showing higher than recommended sulfate levels in the driest areas of the province.

Late June and early July rain stabilized sulfate, PH and nitrate levels, but evaporation means the numbers are on the rise again.

Clark says one litre of dugout or well water is needed for proper analysis.

Two years ago, 200 cattle were found dead in a pasture in southwest Saskatchewan from high sulfate levels in the water supply.