Mineral Nutrition for Small Ruminants
May 04, 2020
Throughout history, sheep and goats have often been viewed as secondary animals expected to survive on lower quality forages left behind by cattle or other livestock species. While it is true that small ruminants are capable of utilizing less-desirable forages, it does not mean their nutritional needs can be ignored if animal performance is a consideration. Modern breeds have enhanced genetic potential to grow faster and produce more milk, which requires more than just a minimal level of nutrition. While most producers understand the positive impact of supplemental vitamin/mineral nutrition on health, reproduction, and growth, those good intentions often fall short when faced with the wide variety of information and products on the market. Here’s some advice on navigating through the product options and choosing what is best for your herd. There are a few considerations to be aware of when providing free-choice vitamin/mineral supplements to sheep and goats.
Salt (sodium) is the only mineral element for which animals have an innate desire. They will seek it out in their environment, but, normally, they will not overconsume it. Feed manufacturers take advantage of this characteristic to both encourage and limit overconsumption of free-choice supplements to achieve a targeted level of intake. Adding or blending additional salt into a vitamin/trace mineral supplement at the farm is not recommended since it only serves to dilute the mineral and further reduce consumption.
Trace mineral salt, while relatively inexpensive, should not be considered an adequate vitamin/mineral supplement. Typically containing 90-95 percent salt, low levels of trace minerals, and no vitamins, it will not meet the requirements when consumed free-choice by the animal. In this instance, you do get what you pay for.
An important difference between sheep and goats is that sheep are more susceptible to copper toxicity. Therefore, supplements intended for sheep generally contain no added copper. The requirement of copper needed by sheep is so small that forage alone can usually meet it. If more copper than the required limit is ingested, the access will accumulate in the liver and can eventually reach a lethal level, thus the general recommendation is that sheep should not receive supplemental copper.
It’s also worth noting that the administration of copper oxide wire particles is gaining popularity as an aid to parasite control, particularly in situations where the overuse of dewormers has led to anthelmintic resistance. Although the exact mode of action is not fully understood, the copper oxide is slowly released into the digestive tract where it has been shown to reduce the numbers of certain parasites. This fact, however, does not validate the use of excessive levels of copper in mineral supplements. Organic forms of copper and copper sulfate are much more readily absorbed than copper oxide, and feeding levels in excess of the requirement can put even goats at risk of copper toxicity.
Remember that the goal of any supplementation program is to meet the animal’s requirement while avoiding imbalances, excesses, and possible toxicities. Co-op has sheep and goat products specifically designed to do just that. Visit with the folks you can trust at your local Co-op for more information.
Salt (sodium) is the only mineral element for which animals have an innate desire. They will seek it out in their environment, but, normally, they will not overconsume it. Feed manufacturers take advantage of this characteristic to both encourage and limit overconsumption of free-choice supplements to achieve a targeted level of intake. Adding or blending additional salt into a vitamin/trace mineral supplement at the farm is not recommended since it only serves to dilute the mineral and further reduce consumption.
Trace mineral salt, while relatively inexpensive, should not be considered an adequate vitamin/mineral supplement. Typically containing 90-95 percent salt, low levels of trace minerals, and no vitamins, it will not meet the requirements when consumed free-choice by the animal. In this instance, you do get what you pay for.
An important difference between sheep and goats is that sheep are more susceptible to copper toxicity. Therefore, supplements intended for sheep generally contain no added copper. The requirement of copper needed by sheep is so small that forage alone can usually meet it. If more copper than the required limit is ingested, the access will accumulate in the liver and can eventually reach a lethal level, thus the general recommendation is that sheep should not receive supplemental copper.
It’s also worth noting that the administration of copper oxide wire particles is gaining popularity as an aid to parasite control, particularly in situations where the overuse of dewormers has led to anthelmintic resistance. Although the exact mode of action is not fully understood, the copper oxide is slowly released into the digestive tract where it has been shown to reduce the numbers of certain parasites. This fact, however, does not validate the use of excessive levels of copper in mineral supplements. Organic forms of copper and copper sulfate are much more readily absorbed than copper oxide, and feeding levels in excess of the requirement can put even goats at risk of copper toxicity.
Remember that the goal of any supplementation program is to meet the animal’s requirement while avoiding imbalances, excesses, and possible toxicities. Co-op has sheep and goat products specifically designed to do just that. Visit with the folks you can trust at your local Co-op for more information.