They are only needed in small quantities; farmers may think they are inconsequential judging from their minute quantities on the ingredient list but these micro-nutrients play an equally important role just like the major nutrients in the league of proteins and carbohydrates. They boost utilisation of other nutrients, catalyse biological reactions, improve body immunity and play a role in reproduction process. Trace elements increase feed intake and thus production and growth rate. Stunted growth poor immunity and low production are signs of trace mineral deficiency.

If buying commercial feeds, ensure they are among the ingredients listed and which you should check. But don’t stop at that be on the lookout for the clinical signs that accompany their deficiency even when they are listed on the feed package.

Nutritionists call them trace elements and today we discuss three common trace mineral deficiencies in animals. There are seven trace elements namely copper, iron, iodine, zinc, cobalt, selenium and manganese. They are especially a problem in animals that have high parasite load and are malnourished, but can also be observed in well managed farms or they may be confined to certain geographical areas. In other words, trace element deficiencies are a complex problem.

Sources of minerals for livestock

Pastures, water, soil and supplemental mineral links are the major sources of trace minerals to animals. Grazing alone cannot satisfy the mineral requirements. Heavy ingestion of soils and bones by animals is often an indication of mineral deficiency.

Many factors affect animal mineral requirements, including nature and level of production, age, level and chemical form of elements, interrelationship with other nutrients, mineral intake, breed and animal adaptation. Trace mineral requirement in animals will depend on age, sex, stage of growth, level of production and breed.

When to suspect mineral deficiency?

Although most mineral deficiencies are non-specific farmers should call in a vet when they observe wasting diseases, loss of hair, depigmented hair, skin disorders, non-infectious abortion, diarrhoea, anaemia, loss of appetite, bone abnormalities, tetany, low fertility and eating of bones and other objects.

Research has shown that mineral deficiencies are common during wet seasons because during this season animal gain weight rapidly since energy and protein supplies are adequate, and thus mineral requirements are high. However, during the dry season, inadequate protein and energy result in animals losing weight, which lowers mineral requirements.

Confinement and absence of pastures for poultry and pigs greatly increases incidence of trace mineral and other nutrient deficiencies. Improved management practices that lead to improved production and growth rates for livestock and poultry necessitate more attention to trace minerals in diets.

Although plants are the main sources of minerals their concentrations dependent upon the interaction of a number of factors including soil, plant species, stage of maturity, yield, pasture management and prevailing weather patterns.

Copper deficiency

Copper deficiency is the second most severe mineral deficiency in grazing animals after phosphorus. In ruminants the condition can be a bit complex to a lay farmer as it happens even when animals are given enough copper. This complex copper deficiency is called conditioned deficiency as normal amounts of copper are rendered inadequate due to higher than normal amounts of Sulphur and molybdenum that block utilization of copper.

Animals suffering from copper deficiency will have a poor growth rate; the skin colour will fade away commonly around the eyes and ear margins making the calf appear like it is wearing spectacles. The skin will dry and form patches of crusts. Calves may become lame due to bone fragility and diarrhea may also occur. If the condition is not managed the animal will become anemic.

In diagnosing for copper deficiency the veterinarian will need to widen his analysis to the amount of copper in the diet pasture and its interaction with Molybdenum and Sulphur in the diet.

Vitamin E and selenium

These two are important in ensuring health calves at birth. Deficiency of the two is thus shown by birth of dead or weak calves. Calves born from mothers with selenium and Vitamin E deficiency will be unable to suckle. When the deficiency develops later calves may have sudden stiffness of muscles, difficulty in breathing or may suddenly die when muscles of the heart are involved.

Cobalt

Cobalt results from pastures grown on soils deficient in cobalt. Sheep and calves are very sensitive to cobalt deficiency.

Clinical signs of cobalt deficiency are non-specific and will resemble those of protein deficiency; they include loss of appetite, dull hair coat and reduced growth rate. When your dairy animal reduces production without any accompanying clinical signs cobalt deficiency is likely. The good news is that cobalt deficient livestock respond pretty well to cobalt treatment and will quickly regain their appetite, vigor and weight.

To prevent trace mineral deficiencies; supplement your animal diet with mineral links from reliable companies and strive to give your animals good quality pasture and keenly observe and report to a veterinary doctor any of the above signs of mineral deficiency.