Abstract
The current research was carried out at Rakh Khaire Wala, which is well known as one of the most developed animal husbandry in Punjab, Pakistan. This location in the arid region, where sheep farming is a common practice, was selected for this study. The aim of the study was to determine and collect data on the mineral contents of forages or feedstuffs that are harvested and used in animal nutrition in the region, in order to gain information on the deficiency and/or excess of mineral levels for ruminants grazing therein, fed mainly with these feedstuffs. These pastures were visited twice during the study, in summer and winter, to collect samples in order to determine the effect of seasonal changes on the mineral contents of forages. In each location, samples from the available forages were collected. Forage samples were analyzed in order to determine the Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn levels using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. These results show that pasture grasses/forages had sufficient levels of K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn to meet requirements of ruminant animals, but the occurrence of marginal to deficient supplies of Na, and Cu appear very likely. There is an urgent requirement for experimentation on supplementation regimes involving these minerals, so that appropriate recommendations can be formulated.
Highlights
All the living systems require inorganic compounds and minerals for normal life sustaining processes
Feed sources of minerals are typically divided into base feedstuffs and mineral supplements
Efforts to reduce the cost of mineral supplementation in livestock production require a thorough understanding of the supply and availability of mineral nutrients in typical feedstuffs [1]
Summary
All the living systems require inorganic compounds and minerals for normal life sustaining processes. All animal tissues and feedstuffs contain minerals in widely varying amounts and proportions. Minerals can not be synthesized by living organisms; animals must acquire adequate amounts of required elements from their environment if survival and production goals are to be maintained. Livestock usually derive most of their dietary nutrients from the feed they eat, significant quantities of minerals may be obtained from water, soil consumption and feed contamination. Feed sources of minerals are typically divided into base feedstuffs (e.g. range or pasture plants, harvested forages, concentrates) and mineral supplements. Efforts to reduce the cost of mineral supplementation in livestock production require a thorough understanding of the supply and availability of mineral nutrients in typical feedstuffs [1]
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