Don’t overlook the importance of selenium fertiliser
Sponsored editorial from Yara
| Whilst looking at a research paper this week it occurred to me that it was 50 years ago that selenium was discovered to be an essential nutrient for animal and human diets. Oregon State University first reported that the underlying cause of White Muscle disease in cattle was selenium deficiency, and a year later in 1958, White Muscle was reported in sheep in China, again the underlying cause being selenium deficiency. It was 20 years later, in 1978 when sodium selenite was used as medication helping to avoid these costly diseases. The UK has inherently low levels of selenium and thus any crops grown, whether horticultural, arable or forage, will be largely deficient in this element. Naturally this knocks on to the health of the consumers of such crops giving rise to problems such as those mentioned previously. Clearly this imbalance can be addressed by replenishing soils with the element. Many trials have proven this to be a very effective method with two examples being the N, P, K fertilizer Top Stock, and trace element granule Grasstrac. Both products having been developed from an extensive trials program with proven animal health benefits. So, when planning your grassland fertilizer, add a fifth element to the list making it N, P, K, S and Se. |
