Trace Minerals for California Beef Cattle
University of California, Cooperative Extension
Humboldt County Mineral Data
Selenium
Eleven herds (total of 110 head) were randomly sampled for selenium levels. The overall whole blood selenium level was 0.046 ppm, which is generally considered adequate. Deficiency is usually considered below 0.04 ppm. Individual animal variation is likely to result in some cattle selenium deficient. Testing at individual locations would better define specific conditions. Due to the potential variable conditions and the borderline values currently available, Humboldt county is categorized as marginal in selenium levels for cattle.
Copper
Nine herds (total of 45 head) had an overall serum copper average of 0.76 ppm, which is considered adequate for copper. Samples for serum analysis to the California Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (CVDL) averaged 0.80 ppm Cu (SD .34). However, 21 liver samples averaged 101 ppm Cu (SD 107) indicating Cu adequacy on the average. However, the large SD shows variability. Cu status is classified as marginal due to the likelihood of some deficient animals. Additional samples are needed. Therefore, individual testing at specific locations is recommended.
Zinc
Few samples (12) have been submitted to the CVDL, and they have averaged 0.79 ppm serum Zn (SD 0.24). These samples indicate Zn is marginal but additional information is needed. Further sampling is needed.
Phosphorus
Insufficient data are available for conclusions.
|
Blood samples* |
||||
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGES |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
0.049 |
0.77 |
0.79 |
no data |
All Values |
|
0.046 |
0.76 |
no data |
no data |
Class 1 data only (random samples) |
|
na |
na |
na |
na |
Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds) |
|
0.064 |
0.80 |
0.79 |
no data |
Class 3 data only (sick cattle) |
|
Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages) |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
130 |
59 |
12 |
0 |
All Values |
|
110 |
45 |
0 |
0 |
Class 1 data only (random samples) |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds) |
|
20 |
14 |
12 |
0 |
Class 3 data only (sick cattle) |
|
Number of Samples |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No. of Individuals |
|
12 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
No. of Herds |
|
130 |
59 |
12 |
0 |
No. of Individuals in herds |
|
130 |
59 |
12 |
0 |
Total number of individuals |
|
Lowest and Highest Values (Individuals only) |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
0.0000 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0 |
Lowest individual value |
|
0.000 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0 |
Highest individual value |
|
* Se whole blood, Zn & P serum, Cu whole blood or serum |
||||
|
Liver samples (dry wt. Basis) |
||||
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGES |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
no data |
100.67 |
no data |
no data |
All Values |
|
na |
na |
na |
na |
Class 1 data only (random samples) |
|
na |
na |
na |
na |
Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds) |
|
no data |
100.67 |
no data |
no data |
Class 3 data only (sick cattle) |
|
Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages) |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
All Values |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Class 1 data only (random samples) |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds) |
|
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
Class 3 data only (sick cattle) |
|
Number of Samples |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No. of Individuals |
|
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
No. of Herds |
|
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
No. of Individuals in herds |
|
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
Total number of individuals |
|
Lowest and Highest Values (Individuals only) |
||||
|
Se |
Cu |
Zn |
P |
|
|
0.0000 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0 |
Lowest individual value |
|
0.000 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0 |
Highest individual value |