Mineral status of beef cattle in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Groups of 22 steers grazed eight diverse environments in Papua New Guinea for one year. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume, MCHC, plasma albumen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and saliva sodium and potassium were measured; half of each group received cobalt supplements. Growth rate was measured. Cobalt deficiency was tentatively diagnosed at two sites, sodium deficiency at five sites and phosphorus at three with two other sites marginal. Sodium supplementation at the three most affected sites corrected sodium status and increased growth rate. Additionally, at two of these sites plasma phosphorus concentration increased to more normal levels presumably due to increased appetite. Statistically significant differences between sites occurred in the concentrations of other minerals but were not related to growth rates. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to assessment of mineral status in beef cattle.

Effect of season, soil type and fertilizer on the biomass production and chemical composition of five tropical shrub legumes with forage potential

“…The mineral composition of the forages was investigated in detail, not only because elevated mineral concentrations of the forages would help to balance mineral deficiencies commonly found in ruminant livestock in the tropics (e.g. Holmes et al. , 1986) but also to enable an evaluation of the effects of soil mineral status and mineral fertilizer.…”