In order to assess the status of copper, zinc and iron in milk and hair of animals of all the districts of Haryana state, a survey work was carried out. All the districts were divided into two zones on the basis of different agro-climatic conditions. The deficiency of copper and zinc were observed in milk samples. In Zone I, 41.0% of buffalo milk samples were found to be deficient in copper compared to 18.2% in Zone II. In case of cows the copper deficiency was 57.7% and 28.2% in Zone I and II respectively. The deficiency of zinc in buffalo milk was 64.3 and 44.6 percent in Zone I and II respectively, with the respective value of 76.6% and 56.04% in case of cows. With respect to iron, all the samples of milk contained iron in a normal range. The samples of buffalo and cow hair collected from various districts of Haryana suggested a deficiency of copper and zinc whereas, the iron content was found to be adequate. It was concluded that there is a need to supplement area specific mineral mixture to fulfill the deficiency of copper and zinc in dairy animals in Haryana.
Copper, Zinc, Iron, Milk, Hair, Haryana
