Mineral deficiency warning

20 November 1998

Mineral deficiency warning

POOR mineral and vitamin supplementation may be causing poor productivity in cattle and sheep this winter, especially when concentrate feeding has been reduced.

So warns independent vet consultant Tony Andrews following nationwide reports of magnesium, copper, selenuium, vitamin E and cobalt deficiencies in cattle and sheep.

He advises checking stock performance to identify acceptable responses to feed inputs, first ensuring animals are not suffering from worms. By the time further signs of mineral and vitamin deficiencies are seen, such as coat colour changes, anaemia or lameness, performance will have suffered.