Macrominerals and Trace Element Requirements for Beef Cattle

Abstract

Eighty-seven Nellore animals were utilized in this study to estimate net requirements for the maintenance and growth of beef cattle as well as the retention coefficients of 13 minerals: macrominerals (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, and S) and trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, Co, and Cr). The net requirements for maintenance and the true retention coefficient were estimated by using the regression between apparent retention and intake for each mineral. The net requirement for maintenance (μg/kg BW) and retention coefficients (%) were 163 and 85 for Cu, 2,097 and 53 for Fe, 32.3 and 24 for Mn, 3.72 and 48 for Se, 669 and 0.80 for Zn, 18.4 and 86 for Co, and 22.9 and 78 for Cr. The dietary requirements of macrominerals (g/kg DMI) were 5.12 for Ca, 2.38 for P, 0.96 for Mg, 2.40 for K, 0.79 for Na, and 1.47 for S. This is the first study using Nellore cattle to estimate mineral requirements; considering that Nellore cattle are the most common breed in Brazil and that Brazil is a major beef producer globally, this knowledge can help producers to improve animal performance by supplying the correct amount of minerals.

Phosphorus supplementation does not affect the intake, digestibility, and meat quality of Nellore young bulls fed with high-grain diets

“…The intake and digestibility were not affected by phosphorus supplementation in this study. The results corroborate with Silva et al (2015), who found no differences in the intake and digestibility of Nellore bulls when they were fed with a phosphorus restricted diet, containing 80% of the animal's requirements.…”

Proximate Composition, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Potential of Wild Halophytes Grown in Coastal Salt Marsh Habitats

“…Animals, plants, and microorganisms must have an appropriate chemical balance based on the levels of different minerals in the body for optimal growth and reproduction [ 69 ]. The concentrations of the estimated minerals in five studied halophytes are listed in Table 2 .…”

Mineral status of soil, sea water, and mangrove (Avicennia marina) forages in several coastal areas of West Sumatra

“…The function of Mg, in general, includes cofactors of >300 enzymes that function in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism [ 16 ], form ribosomes, and maintain membrane integrity through bonding with phospholipids [ 17 ]. Furthermore, it is required in membrane energy transport, cyclic adenosine monophosphate formation and transmission of genetic material, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and constitutes the main components of bone structure [ 18 ]. The normal Mg percentage in the body is 65-70%, 15%, 15%, and 1% in bones, muscles, soft tissues, and extracellular fluid, respectively[ 19 ].…”