Trace Minerals for California Beef Cattle 

University of California, Cooperative Extension

Placer County Mineral Data

Selenium

Five herds (total of 59 head) were randomly sampled for selenium levels. The overall whole blood selenium level was 0.026 ppm, which is considered deficient. Testing at individual locations would better define specific conditions, but in general, Placer county is deficient for selenium.

Copper

In contrast to selenium, the same herds (total of 40 head) had on overall serum copper average of 0.82 ppm, which is considered adequate for copper. Class 3 serum data is similar.  In contrast, liver samples which are a superior test for Cu deficiency, indicate a Cu deficiency.  Limited (15) class 3 liver samples averaged 118 ppm (SD 99).  Deficiencies are found at 100 ppm.  This data suggests Cu is at least a marginally deficient mineral.  Additional samples are needed to help define potential Cu problem.  

Zinc

Limited class 3 data suggests Zn is adequate but insufficient data are available for conclusions.  Further testing is needed.

Phosphorus

Insufficient data are available for conclusions.

Blood samples*

WEIGHTED AVERAGES

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0.032

0.80

1.08

no data

All Values

0.026

0.82

no data

no data

Class 1 data only (random samples)

na

na

na

na

Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds)

0.049

0.79

1.08

no data

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages)

Se

Cu

Zn

P

80

59

12

0

All Values

59

30

0

0

Class 1 data only (random samples)

0

0

0

0

Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds)

21

29

12

0

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Samples

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0

0

0

0

No. of Individuals

7

7

1

0

No. of Herds

80

59

12

0

No. of Individuals in herds

80

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

117.67

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

117.67

no data

no data

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages)

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0

15

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

15

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

15

0

0

No. of Individuals in herds

0

15

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