Department of Animal Nutrition, W.B. University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata-37, India
The mineral status of commonly available feed and fodders and its influence on different categories of cattle and sheep in the coastal saline zone of West Bengal was studied. It was observed that concentration of minerals like Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were satiifactory in feed and fodders. However, P content in most feed and fodders was below critical level. Though feed and fodders contained sufficient amount of calcium but the blood Ca concentration of cattle and sheep was inadequate, also low phosphorus content of feed and fodders was reflected in the blood of cattle and sheep. The iron, copper and zinc content in the blood plasma of cattle and sheep was satisfactory as in the feed and fodders with the exception of low level of copper in calves. The minerals in the feed also reflected on the optimum haemoglobin content in different animals, however, lower levels were observed in calves. Though, manganese content in feed and fodders were adequate but its level was low in the plasma of calves and sheep. Deficient minerals in the plasma may require additional supplementation in the diets.
Minerals, Feeds and fodders, Ruminants, Coastal saline zone
