Mineral nutrition Flashcards
What is the result of mineral deficiencies?
- Reproduction
- Lactation
- Immunity
- Health
- Growth
What does the development of mineral supplements depend on?
- Changes in animal requirements and level of production
- Difference in forage concentrations.
- Method to deliver cost-effective supply to insure intake.
What are the two types of minerals required by animals?
Macro minerals and micro minerals
Give three examples of Macro minerals.
Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Give three examples of micro minerals.
Copper
Iron
Iodine
Generally what kind of cows require more minerals?
Lactating cattle
How can animals on pasture receive minerals?
Forage
Water
Soil
What are the two main factors affecting mineral content of forage plants?
- Soil factors
- Plant and management factors.
What are the 4 characteristics of soil that can affect mineral content of forage plants?
- Concentration of mineral
- Level of organic matter
- Drainage
- pH
What is the no. 1 factor that will affect minerals of plants?
Soil factors.
What kind of plant and management factors affect mineral content of forage plants?
- Plant species: legumes vs. grasses
- Plant maturity: Mineral content declines as plants mature.
- Pasture management: Higher yield may result in decreased minerals as soils become depleated.
- Fertilizer and manure application: K increases with manure application.
- Low dry matter intake resulting in low mineral uptake by the animal.
Why is it critical to manage K on pasture for cattle?
Because the range between required and toxic is narrower for cattle than for plants.
What are the two main issues associated with high K forages?
- Issues with Mg absorption leading to grass tetany.
- Poor Ca mobilization leading to milk fever.
When should mineral supplements be formulated to meet 100% of animal’s requirement for that mineral?
If true deficiency exists.
When should mineral supplements be formulated to meet 50% of animal’s requirement for that mineral?
If there is potential borderline defeciency
What are the four mineral supplementation methods?
- Mineral containing fertilizer.
- Supplementing water source.
- Intramuscular injections (Cu)
- Free choice consumption.
What are the 7 factors affecting free choice mineral consumption?
- Pasture size
- Soil fertility and forge type consumed
- Season of year
- Individual animal requirement.
- Palatability of the mineral supplement.
- Feeder location and maintenance.
- Physical form of mineral supplement
What range should the Ca:P ratio for cattle be within?
2:1 - 7:1
What should the tetany ratio not exceed?
3:1
