Mineral Status of Silage Made from Various Temperate Forages in Relation to Beef Cattle Requirement

Macro minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium) and micro minerals (copper, manganese, zinc and iron) status of some temperate forage silages were studied. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) silage, the major forage source in temperate region, was inadequate in Mg (0.12%), Cu (4.71 ppm) and Zn (14.02 ppm). Whereas, alternative forage silages (kale-Brassica oleracea, lotus-Lotus conrniculatus, sainfoin-Onobrychis viciifolia, lucerne-Medicago sativa and red clover-Trifolium pratense) were good source of macro and micro minerals except copper and zinc which were below the critical levels of 8 and 30 ppm, respectively suggested for beef and lactating dairy cows. It is concluded that alternative forages are better in terms of macro and micro minerals as compared to native perennial ryegrass silage. However, certain minerals like magnesium, copper and zinc needs to be supplemented in the diet of beef and dairy cows.