Trace Minerals for California Beef Cattle 

University of California, Cooperative Extension

Marin County Mineral Data

Selenium

Four herds (total of 37 head) were randomly sampled for selenium levels. The overall whole blood selenium level was 0.068 ppm, which is generally considered adequate to marginal. Testing at individual locations would better define specific conditions, but in general Marin county is marginal for selenium

Copper

Similar to selenium, the same herds (total of 40 head) had an overall serum copper average of 0.58 ppm, which is considered marginal for copper. The interaction with other minerals and individual animal variation will determine the potential for copper deficiency at specific locations. Therefore, individual testing at specific locations is recommended.

Zinc

Insufficient data are available for conclusions.

Phosphorus

Insufficient data are available for conclusions.

Blood samples*

WEIGHTED AVERAGES

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0.065

0.58

no data

no data

All Values

0.068

0.58

no data

no data

Class 1 data only (random samples)

na

na

na

na

Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds)

0.055

0.59

no data

no data

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages)

Se

Cu

Zn

P

49

52

0

0

All Values

37

40

0

0

Class 1 data only (random samples)

0

0

0

0

Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds)

12

12

0

0

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Samples

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0

0

0

0

No. of Individuals

5

5

0

0

No. of Herds

49

52

0

0

No. of Individuals in herds

49

52

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

* Se whole blood, Zn & P serum, Cu whole blood or serum