Mineral balance important to cow performance

Dairy world is moving from primary diet to balanced diet. Previously it was thought that animal belly should be filled with proper feed and that is enough. In this modern world competition in economic terms has forced the farmers to exploit maximum potential of livestock production. Further there is a great breakthrough in research in this sector also which has indicated that not only basic ingredients like carbohydrates, CP and fats are required in proper quantities but also minor elements like Ca, Phosphorus, Zn, Copper Selenium and so many others are also required not only taking maximum production from the animal but also to maintain ittheir health in future also. The concept of TMR gives the answer. Milk fever in high yielding animals is a clear cut example of supply and demand when an animal gives more milk but its ration is defecient in ca and phosphorus. This article is appreciated as a reminder to the farmers as a key to have maximum production from their animals.

Mineral content of forages is highly variable and, apart from plant species, is determined by the conc. of mineral in soil. Modern dairy cow requires mineral well above the minimum requirement for prevention of deficiency. So supplementation is used as a tool for highest possible production.

Yes, mineral content of feedstuffs varies to area (soil). Frequent monitoring and area specific mineral requirements are necessary.

Minerals are very essential for production, growth, as well as for health maintenance due to its vital functions.

Despite of all these facts about the role of minerals in Animal Nutrition there is absence of well-defined standards from the mineral mixture manufacturing point of view as we find many of such companies which are in such business no quality control. Therefore to check such types of malpractices there must be regulatory agencies as States and central level so that interest of dairy farmers can be safe guarded. Even there are reports that National Dairy Development Board of India has completed the mineral profiling of entire country therefore it must be made public so that farmers could come to know the mineral needs of their animals.

Good article. Phosphorus is the costliest mineral in a mineral mixture. Now improved availability of DDGS as byproduct of ethnol production and introduction of phytase enzyme has improved the phosphorus availability. hence the critical availability of minerals are changing on day today basis. ICAR network project on micronutrients has conducted the mineral survey and mapping of mineral status in soil, grass and blood in various states on India. I hope this would form the basis for mineral supplementation to various animals in different localities in India. Recommendation on the mineral supplementation should be based on these data and the available feed and fodder in the locality following the sandard guidlines