A study was conducted to determine serum copper (Cu) concentrations and hematological values of 174 sheep from four medium sized farms, pertaining to physiological stage, in the late dry and late wet seasons of Central Trinidad. Serum Cu was significantly lower in the dry than in the wet season (P < 0.001) with a corresponding high percentage of samples with low Cu levels in the former. 31% of dry nonpregnant sheep exhibited a nonregenerative anaemia. Also, hemoglobin and packed cell volume values varied (P < 0.001) including lymphocyte (P < 0.01) counts, among growing animals compared with other physiological stages. Significant variations also occurred among neutrophil (P < 0.05) and eosinophil (P < 0.05) values in sheep. Highest haemoglobin and packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, and lymphocyte values in growing sheep compared with other stages were probably age related.

While grass may suffice to meet the nutritional needs of grazing ruminants in terms of carbohydrate and protein, they may not necessarily provide the minimal levels of minerals necessary to maintain health. Since, with the exception of salt, it is unusual to provide supplementary minerals it is necessary to ensure that the grazed grass is so managed that mineral levels are adequate. This article reviews the various factors that influence the mineral profiles of tropical grasses in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa.

composting system, the vermicomposting often results in mass reduction, shorter time for processing and a better quality end-product (vermicompost) in terms of nutrient avaibility and levels of humus (Suthar, 2008). Conclusion Thus the use of earthworms may reduce parasitism and improve forage quality in tropical pastures. These results must be confirmed in experiments on pasture, with other ratios and combinations of earthworms.

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