Trace Minerals for California Beef Cattle 

University of California, Cooperative Extension

San Luis Obispo County Mineral Data

Selenium

Samples (n=78) from 8 herds had an average whole blood selenium level of 0.143 ppm which indicates San Luis Obispo county is not selenium deficient. Herds sampled were located near Cambria, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria and Shandon. A few cattle had individual selenium levels of 0.03 to 0.04 ppm, which is on the borderline to selenium responsive.

Copper

Class 3 liver data averaged 131 ppm (SD 151) suggesting some Cu deficiency.  More complete testing is needed.

Zinc

A large number of Class 3 samples indicate Zn is adequate.

Phosphorus

Insufficient data are available for conclusions.

Blood samples*

WEIGHTED AVERAGES

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0.172

0.63

1.30

no data

All Values

0.159

no data

no data

no data

Class 1 data only (random samples)

0.087

no data

no data

no data

Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds)

0.184

0.63

1.30

no data

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages)

Se

Cu

Zn

P

278

160

121

0

All Values

60

0

0

0

Class 1 data only (random samples)

18

0

0

0

Class 2 data only (field trials, selected herds)

200

160

121

0

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Samples

Se

Cu

Zn

P

78

0

0

0

No. of Individuals

1

1

1

0

No. of Herds

200

160

121

0

No. of Individuals in herds

278

160

121

0

Total number of individuals

Lowest and Highest Values (Individuals only)

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0.0300

0.00

0.00

0

Lowest individual value

0.350

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

131.33

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

131.33

no data

no data

Class 3 data only (sick cattle)

Number of Individuals (used in weighted averages)

Se

Cu

Zn

P

0

59

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

59

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

59

0

0

No. of Individuals in herds

0

59

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