Macro and Micro-Mineral Status of Feeds and Fodders in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir

A survey was conducted during November-March to study the mineral status of feeds and fodders available for dairy cattle in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. Nearly all the feedstuffs were found to contain adequate content of Ca (>0.30%). All concentrate feed ingredients were found to contain adequate levels of P (>0.25%) while dry roughages (except local grasses and wheat straw) were found to be deficient in P. Most of the feedstuffs (except local grasses and wheat straw) contained adequate levels of Mg (>0.20%). The dry roughages (paddy straw, local grasses, maize stover, wheat straw, dry oats hay) were deficient in Zn (<30ppm) while concentrates (except rice bran) had adequate Zn content. All the feedstuffs had higher contents of Fe (>50 ppm). Dry roughages possessed low Cu content (<8.00ppm) while concentrates contained adequate levels of Cu. Dry roughages (except oats hay) also had lower Mn levels (40 ppm) while concentrates contained adequate levels. Hence trace mineral contents of locally available feeds and fodders particularly dry roughages were below critical levels and their supplementation is needed in dairy cattle of this district.