Mineral composition of pastures and mineral deficiencies in cattle of some properties in Middle Paraiba, RJ, Brazil

• Published in: Revista brasileira de medicina veterinária Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 71 - 78
• Main Authors: Ana Paula Lopes Marques, Rita de Cássia Campbell Machado Botteon, Estelle Barreto de Amorim, Paulo de Tarso Landgraff Botteon, Everaldo Zonta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade de Medicina Veterinária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro 01-01-2014
• ISSN: 0100-2430; 2527-2179

Marques A.P.L., Botteon R.C.C.M., Amorim E.B., Botteon P.T.L &Zonta E. [Mineral composition of pastures and mineral deficiencies in cattle of some properties in Middle Paraiba, RJ, Brazil.] Composição mineral das pastagens e deficiências minerais dos bovinos em algumas propriedades da região do Médio Paraíba, RJ, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 36(1):71-78, 2014. Departamento de Medicina e Cirurgia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465 Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23851-900, Brasil. E-mail: [e-mail] We studied levels and nutrient availability in the soil and grazing of cattle in Middle Paraíba, RJ, Brazil in the early dry season (May-June) and rainy (November-December) in seven cattle herds with a history of clinical deficiencies of Na, Cu, Co and P, identified through visits to farmers. The mineral contents in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and values obtained were compared with clinical signs found. Low values of P and Na were confirmed and although the lack of Ca and Mg is uncommon, some samples showed low rates. We found high values of Fe with possible interference in the absorption of Cu, the main clinical deficiency identified in the region, and high values of Al, Zn and Mn. The results indicate that most mineral deficiencies diagnosed in those herds is due to antagonistic effects of minerals that are not deficient.