A first composition including copper sulfate, citric acid, ammonium carbonate, propionic acid, Yucca schidigera extract, and antioxidants from essential oils and a second composition including sodium acid sulfate, citric acid and antioxidants from essential oils are sequentially administered to livestock through the drinking water supply to reduce the incidence of diseases such as Clostridium, E. coli and Salmonella and, thus, reliance on antibiotics to control the diseases.