HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jacobson, D. R. Articles by Hatton, R. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jacobson, D. R. Articles by Hatton, R. H.

Mineral Nutrition, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Potassium Interrelationships^1,2,

Department of Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506

ABSTRACT

There are over 70 known mineral interrelationships in which an additional dietary quantity of one mineral element will influence absorption or utilization of another mineral element. As the animal ages, the readiness of availability of stored mineral elements in the bone decreases. Animals do adapt to reduced dietary intake of minerals as shown for Ca by reducing fecal excretion and increasing absorption. The adaptation, however, may occur simultaneously with a reduction in milk production. Borderline deficiency or insufficiency of mineral elements leads to decreased feed intake and milk production. Diagnosis is extremely difficult. A large proportion of commonly used feedstuffs are below the required concentration of at least one mineral element for high milk production. Since few dairymen know how much of each mineral element is in their cows' diet, milk production may unwittingly suffer from mineral deficiency, insaciency, or toxicity. Excessive rather than too little dietary Ca during the dry period prior to calving is likely contributing to an increased incidence of milk fever. Basically, blood P must be maintained by absorption from the gut as there is no known specific mechanism for bone resorption. Therefore, it is important always to include adequate P in the diet. Too little Mg may be causing problems that are not well understood, or widely appreciated. Supplemental K is probably indicated on some high concentrate feeding programs. All mineral elements should be considered in ration formulation for high performance and a reduction in mineral nutrition anomalies.

¹ Taken from an invitational paper presented by the senior author at the Sixty-sixth Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association, East Lansing, Michigan. June 20-23, 1971. The research reported herein was supported in part by the American Jersey Cattle Club Research Foundation.

² The investigation reported in this paper (71-5-113) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director.