Unit 6: Health and Welfare of Beef Cattle

Trace elements

Trace elements are essential micronutrients required in small amounts by beef cattle to maintain health, growth, reproduction, and overall productivity.

Although needed in small quantities, deficiencies can lead to serious health and performance issues.

Element	Functions	Deficiency Symptoms	Causes of Deficiency	Supplementation Methods
Copper (Cu)	Red blood cell formation Immune function Bone and nervous system health	Poor growth Coat changes (rough, discoloured) Infertility Bone disorders	Low copper in soil/feed High molybdenum, sulphur, or iron interfering with absorption	Copper sulphate Mineral blocks
Cobalt (Co)	Component of vitamin B12 Energy metabolism Red blood cell formation	Weight loss Poor appetite Anaemia	Cobalt-deficient soils (sandy, peaty soils)	Oral drenches Injections Mineral supplements
Selenium (Se)	Antioxidant (with vitamin E) Muscle function Immune support	White muscle disease Poor growth Retained placenta	Selenium-deficient soils	Feed supplements Selenium-enriched mineral blocks Injections
Zinc (Zn)	Skin and hoof health Immune function Protein synthesis	Poor coat/skin condition Lameness Delayed wound healing	Low zinc in diet High calcium or iron interfering with absorption	Zinc oxide Mineral mixes
Manganese (Mn)	Bone formation Reproduction Enzyme activation	Poor bone development Infertility Lameness	Low manganese in forage/feed High calcium or phosphorus	Manganese sulphate Mineral blocks
Iodine (I)	Thyroid hormone production Metabolism regulation	Goitre in calves Weak or stillborn calves Poor fertility	Iodine-deficient soils Brassica crops (goitrogens)	Iodized salt Mineral supplements Iodine injections

Trace elements

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