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- Title
Trace mineral concentrations in Canadian beef calves at weaning.
- Authors
Waldner, Cheryl; Campbell, John
- Abstract
Objective To describe the copper and selenium statuses of beef calves at weaning. Animal Calves (n = 1998) were sampled from 106 Canadian cow-calf herds in the fall of 2021. Procedure Serum samples from calves were tested for copper, selenium, and molybdenum concentrations. Results Although the percentages of calves classified as selenium deficient (, 0.025 ppm) were relatively low (0.5% western Canada, 3% eastern Canada), 53% of calves from western Canada and 77% of calves from eastern Canada were classified as having less than adequate selenium concentrations (< 0.08 ppm). Copper deficiency (< 0.5 ppm) was common in calves from both western (17%) and eastern (14%) Canada. High molybdenum concentrations (> 0.10 ppm) were identified in 6% of calves from western Canada and 7% of calves from eastern Canada. Conclusion Selenium concentrations were higher in calves from western Canada than from those in eastern Canada (P < 0.001). Copper and molybdenum concentrations were not significantly different between western and eastern Canada. Less-than-adequate serum copper was the most common deficiency identified in Canadian beef calves at weaning. Clinical relevance Trace minerals are important for immune system function in calves at weaning. Selenium concentrations in calves at weaning were lower than in cows from the same herds collected at pregnancy testing 2 y earlier. Copper deficiency was also identified, though less frequently than for mature cows. Supplementation programs for calves should be customized based on testing and recognize both regional and age differences in risk.
- Subjects
CANADA; ANIMAL weaning; TRACE elements; MOLYBDENUM; COPPER; AGE differences; PREGNANCY tests; COWS; HEIFERS
- Publication
Canadian Veterinary Journal / Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne, 2024, Vol 65, Issue 6, p565
- ISSN
0008-5286
- Publication type
Article