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Mineral Nutrition of the Goat

Mineral Nutrition of the Goat. Joseph Tritschler Small Ruminant Specialist Virginia State University. Nutrients necessary for ruminant animals. Water Energy (carbohydrate, protein, fat) Protein (amino acids) Minerals (salt, macrominerals and trace) Vitamins (A, D, E, K but not B’s or C)

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Mineral Nutrition of the Goat

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  1. Mineral Nutrition of the Goat Joseph Tritschler Small Ruminant Specialist Virginia State University

  2. Nutrients necessary for ruminant animals • Water • Energy (carbohydrate, protein, fat) • Protein (amino acids) • Minerals (salt, macrominerals and trace) • Vitamins (A, D, E, K but not B’s or C) • (Fiber for GI function) • (Essential Fatty Acids)

  3. Macrominerals Salt (NaCl) Calcium (Ca) Phosphorous (P) Magnesium (Mg) Potassium (K) Sulfur (S) Microminerals Iron (Fe) Iodine (I) Copper (Cu) Molybdenum (Mo) Cobalt (Co) Manganese (Mn) Selenium (Se) Fluorine (F) Essential Minerals of Animals

  4. Macromineral Requirements(percent diet DM)

  5. Sodium and Salt Deficiency • Salt (sodium) always inadequate in forages • Sodium requirement higher than chlorine • Low salt decreases growth • Inappetence • Salt intake data (sheep) • 0.5% salt in total mixed rations (0.2% Na) • 1.0% or more in concentrate supplements • Free choice: lambs eat 5 – 10 g/d; ewes eat 15 – 30 g/d • Range ewes eat less in salt licks

  6. Calcium and Phosphorous • Critical for milk production & bone growth • Calcium deficient in concentrate feeds • Rapid need for Ca in lactation • Inability to mobilize Ca leads to milk fever • Legumes & lined pastures good Ca sources • Phosphorous deficient in forages • Very widespread mineral shortage • Poor growth, lower reproductive performance

  7. Calcium & Phosphorous Ratio • Calcium to phosphorous best in a ratio • Absorbed and mobilized together • Ideal ration 1.5:1 to 2:1 (Ca:P) (can be higher) • Urinary calculi in breeding male goats • Observed with high phosphorous • Observed with low Ca:P ratios • Usually breeding males in confinement • Related to low potassium and magnesium levels • Ration additives are available (KCl, NH3Cl)

  8. Magnesium and Grass Tetany • Physiologically a Mg deficiency • Occurs under periods of stress • Lactating cows starting spring grazing • Does (and ewes) not as problematic as cows? • Associated with excess N & K fertilization • Form insoluble Mg complex in rumen • Forage analysis may indicate adequate Mg • Use ratio of K / (Ca + Mg) (below 2.3 milliequivalents) • Mg generally lower in cool-season grasses & at lower temp. • Best prevented through management • Stress reduction (overworking animals) • Mg fortified supplements in the critical period (spring) • Dolomitic limestone contains both Ca & Mg

  9. Potassium and Sulfur • Not commonly deficient • Potassium possible low in concentrates • Sulfur possibly low in highly leached soils • High K (& N) fertilization • Increased grass tetany problems

  10. Lime, Fertilizer, Cost and Environmental Health • Limestone (Ca and Mg (dolomite)) • Reduces soil acidity (needed for legumes) • Usually more limiting than fertilizer • Fertilizer (N, P and K – manure also) • Essential for plant growth • N and P excess are environmental problems • N and P are relatively expensive • Fertilizer, Manure & Minerals • Regulations to control environmental (water) quality

  11. Micromineral Requirements(ppm or mg/kg diet DM)

  12. Copper, Cobalt, Selenium • Trace minerals most commonly deficient • Often deficient in same location • Areas include eastern U.S. • Molybdenum increases copper requirement • One negative aspect of liming • Copper and selenium potential toxicities • Deficiencies are more common

  13. Micromineral Tolerances (ppm or mg/kg diet DM)

  14. Copper Sheep and Goats • Copper requirements are the same • Cattle, sheep and goats • Requirement about 10 ppm • Copper tolerance lower is sheep • All ruminants have relatively low tolerance • Sheep tolerate 25 ppm • Cattle tolerate 100 ppm • Goats tolerate at least 40 ppm

  15. Mineral Summary • Goat requirements • Relatively little research • Requirements extrapolated for cattle & sheep • Relative susceptibility to nutritional disorders • Milk Fever: dairy cattle than dairy goats • Grass Tetany: beef cattle than sheep • Pregnancy Toxemia: sheep and goats • Copper Toxicity: sheep than goats and cattle • Overeating Disease: lambs and kids • Toxicities seem to be less in goats (metabolism)

  16. Mineral Summary • Cattle & sheep supplements work for goats • Salt (free choice) is necessary • Phosphorous low in forages • Calcium low in concentrates • Ca:P ratio ideally 1.5:1 to 2:1 • High Mg supplement in early lactation • Cu, Se, & Co in trace minerals

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