Trace Mineral Nutrition and Interrelationships as Applied to Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Some 15 trace minerals elements have been shown to be essential for animals including dairy cattle (Mills, 1985; Underwood, 1977, 1981). Deficiencies of seven have been observed under some practical condition. These are cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc. Although some of the others can be important practical problems as toxic elements, interest in them as essential nutrients is primarily academic. They are chromium, fluorine, molybdenum, nickel silicon, tin, vanadium, and arsenic.

As is true of all nutrients, every essential trace element can be harmful when fed in too great numbers.