Trace Minerals for California Beef Cattle 

University of California, Cooperative Extension

Plumas County Mineral Data

Three herds were randomly selected in Plumas county and ten head sampled per herd for selenium status. The overall average whole blood selenium level was 0.056 ppm (below 0.04 ppm is considered deficient and responsive to supplementation). However, field trials with 5 herds in American Valley sampled 59 head of cattle, showing an average whole blood selenium level of 0.011 ppm, and one herd (10 head sampled) in Indian Valley averaged 0.018 ppm. Thus, selenium deficiency clearly occurs in Plumas County, and particularly in American and Indian Valleys. Individual ranches should conduct sampling for evaluation of cattle selenium status.

The three herds randomly sampled for selenium status were also evaluated for copper. Their average serum copper level (total 15 head) was 0.683 ppm (considered marginally deficient). A herd in American Valley was sampled as part of a field trial and had a herd average serum copper level of 0.148 ppm (not deficient). Thus, the same pattern as seen with selenium of variable deficiency across the county is seen with copper. Individual ranches should conduct sampling for evaluation of cattle copper status.

Insufficient data are available for conclusions.

Insufficient data are available for conclusions.