MACRO, MICRO AND TRACE MINERALS TO BE USED FOR A BALANCED COW NUTRITION
Mineral nutrition has a vital role in the performance of cow in all aspects. Cattle requires a number of minerals for their proper growth, reproduction, and development and performing daily activities. Selection of proper mineral supplement is necessary for the maintenance of healthy animals and optimal growth.
Highly quality forages or grains can provide a large number of required minerals but it should kept in mind that excess availability or intake of minerals may lead to deposition within the body or unnecessary mineral excretion. It may lead to reduction of profit as well. Minerals that are not provided by feed can easily and inexpensively be added in diet with the help of mineral supplement.
Minerals essential for cattle are mainly classified into two groups:
- Macro-minerals
- Micro-minerals
Depending on their amount needed within the body of animal.
Difference between Macro and Micro Minerals
Macro minerals are present at larger levels in the body of animal, or required in greater amount in their diet. Following are the main macro minerals needed for the proper growth and development of a healthy animal.
Calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulfur.
Micro minerals are often referred as trace minerals, means that they are required in less amount in the body. Their needed amount is this much less that they can be termed as “trace minerals”. Chromium, iodine, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, fluorine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.
Some of these macro and micro minerals work together while others may act independently.
Calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulfur.
Micro minerals are often referred as trace minerals, means that they are required in less amount in the body. Their needed amount is this much less that they can be termed as “trace minerals”. Chromium, iodine, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, fluorine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.
Some of these macro and micro minerals work together while others may act independently.
MACRO MINERALS
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium and phosphorus are the two main mineral components of the skeleton. 80% of the total body phosphorus and 99% of the total calcium of body are stored in the bones. Calcium and phosphorus that are stored in skeletal bones can be used to meet the short term deficiency of these minerals but if the deficiency prolongs and these minerals cannot be provided from outside source it may result in bones weakness and brittleness. Calcium and phosphorus also have their vital role in many other body functions
Decrease in any one them may stop weight gain/or effect the ability of the cow to gain weight. Similarly, low calcium levels decreases the milk production, a lactating cow demands 20 % more calcium intake as compare to a non-lactating cow. On the other hand, phosphorus deficiency delays the puberty in calves. Cattle requires sufficient amount of calcium for the proper functioning of nervous and muscular systems.
Grasses have sufficient amount of calcium in them. Especially legumes like soybean, alfalfa, clover and peanut are the good sources of calcium for cows. While corn silage and sorghum silage have very less amount of calcium and are not suitable for this purpose. Most forages are low in phosphorus and an additional supplement should be added to fulfil its demand in the body.
Sulfur
Typically, sulfur in not necessarily needed by an animal body as supplement. It is mainly required for the synthesis of two main amino acids methionine and cysteine which are needed for the protein synthesis. Otherwise excess sulfur can be more toxic than being beneficial. In ruminants, rumens may produce sulfur containing amino acids by using non protein sources of nitrogen and sulfur like urea. Only those animal needed sulfur supplement that are low in protein concentrations.
Typically, sulfur in not necessarily needed by an animal body as supplement. It is mainly required for the synthesis of two main amino acids methionine and cysteine which are needed for the protein synthesis. Otherwise excess sulfur can be more toxic than being beneficial. In ruminants, rumens may produce sulfur containing amino acids by using non protein sources of nitrogen and sulfur like urea. Only those animal needed sulfur supplement that are low in protein concentrations.
Sodium
Sodium and chloride are necessary for the proper functioning of nervous and muscular systems. They act as enzyme co-factors. Help in regulating body pH and retaining of water within the body. The most common supplement for sodium is sodium chloride or common salt. Insufficient dietary sodium results in loss of appetite or reduced feed intake. It may also cause sudden weight gain or loss. Reduction of sodium supplement from daily diet may result in milk production in lactating cows within 1-2 weeks. Sodium deficiency systems includes chewing and biting of fences, urine drinking and general ill thrifts.
Sodium and chloride are necessary for the proper functioning of nervous and muscular systems. They act as enzyme co-factors. Help in regulating body pH and retaining of water within the body. The most common supplement for sodium is sodium chloride or common salt. Insufficient dietary sodium results in loss of appetite or reduced feed intake. It may also cause sudden weight gain or loss. Reduction of sodium supplement from daily diet may result in milk production in lactating cows within 1-2 weeks. Sodium deficiency systems includes chewing and biting of fences, urine drinking and general ill thrifts.
Potassium
Potassium works along with sodium for regulating osmotic pressure of body and transport of nutrients in and out of cells. Fresh grasses are rich in potassium for grazing cattle and supplementation is not needed.
Potassium works along with sodium for regulating osmotic pressure of body and transport of nutrients in and out of cells. Fresh grasses are rich in potassium for grazing cattle and supplementation is not needed.
Magnesium
The main role of magnesium within the body of an animal is efficient carbohydrate metabolism, proper nervous functions and enzymes activity. It is critical that cows must have sufficient amount of Mg in their diet while lactating heavily.
The main role of magnesium within the body of an animal is efficient carbohydrate metabolism, proper nervous functions and enzymes activity. It is critical that cows must have sufficient amount of Mg in their diet while lactating heavily.
MICRO MINERALS
Copper
Copper is a vital enzyme co factor that are needed for many body function to perform normally like growth, development, digestion, circulation etc. Deficiency symptoms of copper includes loss of hair pigmentation, disturbed immunity and reduced fertility. It should be supplemented in the form of copper sulfates, tribasic copper chloride or organic complex as its oxides are not easily soluble.
Copper is a vital enzyme co factor that are needed for many body function to perform normally like growth, development, digestion, circulation etc. Deficiency symptoms of copper includes loss of hair pigmentation, disturbed immunity and reduced fertility. It should be supplemented in the form of copper sulfates, tribasic copper chloride or organic complex as its oxides are not easily soluble.
Iodine
Iodine is needed for the proper functioning of thyroid hormones that are involve in the regulation of energy metabolism. The most common and initial symptom of iodine deficiency is goiter in young calves. It is usually supplemented as ethyleinediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI).
Iodine is needed for the proper functioning of thyroid hormones that are involve in the regulation of energy metabolism. The most common and initial symptom of iodine deficiency is goiter in young calves. It is usually supplemented as ethyleinediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI).
Cobalt
Cobalt is the main component of vitamin B-12, synthesized by the rumen with the help of bacteria. Most forages have enough amount of cobalt in them but sometimes its supplementation is needed. The most common symptom of its deficiency is loss of appetite and stunt growth.
Cobalt is the main component of vitamin B-12, synthesized by the rumen with the help of bacteria. Most forages have enough amount of cobalt in them but sometimes its supplementation is needed. The most common symptom of its deficiency is loss of appetite and stunt growth.
Iron
Iron is the main central component of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is rarely observed in grazing cattle as fresh grasses are rich in iron. The most prominent symptoms of iron deficiency is anemia, weight loss and depressed immunity.
Iron is the main central component of hemoglobin. Iron deficiency is rarely observed in grazing cattle as fresh grasses are rich in iron. The most prominent symptoms of iron deficiency is anemia, weight loss and depressed immunity.
Manganese
Manganese is needed for proper fetal development and reproduction. Manganese deficiency is observed rarely. Corn-based diet is low in manganese and supplementation is needed with it.
Manganese is needed for proper fetal development and reproduction. Manganese deficiency is observed rarely. Corn-based diet is low in manganese and supplementation is needed with it.
Zinc
Same like manganese, zinc deficiency in also rarely observed. Zinc is a vital component of many enzymes and are needed for male reproduction, skin and hoof health and for immunity. Cattle’s ability to store zinc is limited so its supplementation is necessary especially in young calves.
Same like manganese, zinc deficiency in also rarely observed. Zinc is a vital component of many enzymes and are needed for male reproduction, skin and hoof health and for immunity. Cattle’s ability to store zinc is limited so its supplementation is necessary especially in young calves.