Inter-Relationship of Minerals between Soil, Grasses and Blood Serum of Dairy Cattle in Kashmir Valley of India

A survey was conducted during winter season (November-March) to study the macro mineral status of soil, feed/fodder and dairy cattle of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. The representative samples of soil from the farmer’s fields, feed/fodders offered to dairy cattle and blood of lactating and non-lactating cattle belonging to farmers were collected from 45 farm families representing the whole district. Ca, P and Mg content in the soil ranged between 94.07±2.80 to 109.9±3.62 ppm, 10.50±0.38 to 12.39±0.84 ppm and 33.59±0.75 to 39.83±1.03 ppm respectively. Similarly the concentration of these macro elements in the available feed/fodder resources ranged between 0.36±0.009 to 1.63±0.073 ppm, 0.13±0.003 to 1.11±0.037 ppm, 0.14±0.009 to 0.63±0.006 ppm respectively. On an average the levels of Ca, P and Mg in lactating cattle were recorded to be 9.08±0.05, 4.73±0.15 and 1.92±0.02 ppm respectively. Similarly the concentrations of these major elements in non-lactation cattle were recorded to be 9.29±0.06, 4.84±0.07 and 1.99±0.03 respectively. Study revealed that 53.33 and 44.44 per cent soils had deficient levels of Ca and P respectively. Paddy straw was the major dry forages fed liberally to cattle, along with local grasses and sometimes with homemade concentrates. All the feedstuffs analysed were found to contain adequate Ca. All concentrate feed ingredients were found to contain adequate levels P content, while dry roughages (except local grasses and wheat straw) were found to be deficient. Nearly all the feedstuffs (except local grasses and wheat straw) analysed were found to contain adequate levels of Mg. Analysis of serum indicated comparatively higher levels of Ca, P and Mg in non-lactating than the lactating cattle. On the whole dairy cattle of the district were found marginally deficient in Ca and P therefore need dietary supplementation of these minerals.