Mineral status of some commonly used feeds and forages vis-a-vis their requirement

Mineral (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc) content of feeds and forages were estimated in the Bundelkhand region of India and compared with the requirements. The average calcium and magnesium content in both leguminous and non-leguminous forages as well as in concentrate ingredients were sufficient to meet the requirement. Nonleguminous forages were moderate to poor source of phosphorus, whereas, leguminous forages and concentrate supplements were good source of phosphorus. Concentrate supplements were rich in copper, but most of the forages were low in copper except sorghum stover, oats, S. scabra, black gram straw, cowpea and berseem. Almost all feeds and forages had adequate levels of cobalt, iron and manganese while most of the forages were deficient in zinc. Most of the forages were low in molybdenum except for concentrates which were high in Mo. From the present study, it is apparent that zinc was inadequate in many feeds and forages. Therefore, this particular element along with phosphorus and copper should be supplemented in the diets of animals.