Mineral Status of Llamas and Sheep in the Bolivian Altiplano

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in the highlands (Altiplano) of Bolivia to establish the specific mineral status for growing llamas compared to sheep grazing unfertilized, native pastures. Animal tissues (plasma, liver and bone), forage and soil samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons and analyzed for mineral contents. During the wet season, forages were higher (P < 0.05) in Ca, K, Fe and protein. Percent borderline to deficient forage concentrations during the wet and dry seasons, respectively, were found as follows: protein (<7.0%) 20 and 53; Ca (<0.30%) 10 and 40; Cu (<5 ppm) 20 and 47; K (<0.5%) 10 and 20; Mg (<0.08%) 10 and 20; Na (<0.1%) 30 and 69; P (<0.25%) 100 and 100; Zn (<30 ppm) 60 and 80; and Se (<0.1 ppm) 90 and 93% of the total forages, respectively. Concentrations of liver Mg, Co, Mn, Mo, Se and Zn, plasma Mg and Cu and rib (percent ash) Ca, Mg and P were all higher (P < 0.05) during the wet than in the dry season. Compared to llamas, sheep had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of plasma Ca, Cu, Fe and Zn, rib (milligram/milliliter) P, Mg and Zn and liver Fe, but lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of liver Co, Cu, Mn and Mo. On the basis of forage and animal tissue analyses, the nutrients protein, P, Ca, Zn, Na and Se would be insufficient for optimum production of grazing livestock in the high plains of Bolivia.Bolivia minerals deficiency llamas sheep