Mineral status of beef cattle in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Authors

  • L.R. McDowell Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida 32611, U.S.A
  • C.E. Lang Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida 32611, U.S.A
  • J.H. Conrad Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida 32611, U.S.A
  • F.G. Martin Animal Science Department, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida 32611, U.S.A
  • H. Fonseca Facultad de Agronomia, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

Abstract

Liver and blood samples of three- to four-year-old steers were obtained from 15 farms located in five counties to obtain information on the mineral status of grazing cattle in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. Of the livers analysed, approximately 36·0, 30·7, 37·3, 33·3 and 34·7 per cent were borderline to deficient in copper, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc, respectively. Forty nine per cent of the blood samples were considered borderline to deficient in phosphorus. There was no significant difference (P>0·05) in tissue mineral concentration due to county location, with the exception of selenium. Differences (P<0·0l) in tissue concentrations among farm were found for all six tissue minerals. In general, tissue mineral could be directly related to use or absence of mineral supplements.

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Issue

Volume 55 Number 4

Section

Research Papers