THE MINERAL CONTENT OF TIMOTHY GROWN IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Abstract

Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) samples from 107 sites throughout Prince Edward Island were obtained at the early heading stage and analyzed for Ca, P, K, Mg, Cu, Mo, S, Mn, Zn and Fe. The mean tissue contents of these minerals were: Ca, 0.25%; P, 0.24%; K, 2.12%; Mg, 0.10%; Cu, 4.5 ppm; Mo, 0.37 ppm; S, 0.12%; Mn, 31.1 ppm; Zn, 26.8 ppm and Fe, 30.5 ppm. When compared with the requirements of cattle and sheep Ca would be deficient for most age and production categories and the mean timothy Ca content was lower than published values. The Ca: P ratio was low at approximately 1:1. Mean Mg content of timothy was low relative to animals' requirements, which, combined with the low Ca and high K content of a number of samples, indicated there was a risk of grass tetany in grazing animals. Most trace elements were barely adequate or deficient relative to the needs of cattle and sheep. Copper, for example, at 4.5 ppm is deficient for cattle but lack of deficiency problems was attributed to correspondingly low Mo and S levels. The need for adequate Ca and P supplementation and the use of a suitable trace-mineralized salt is recommended in formulating diets for dairy cattle, beef cattle, and sheep. Key words: Timothy, forage, minerals, deficiency, cattle, sheep