Trace Mineral Nutrition of Sheep

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2023 Nov;39(3):517-533. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2023.07.001. Epub 2023 Aug 26.

Abstract

Trace mineral nutrition of sheep often focuses on their greater susceptibility to copper toxicosis due to a lesser biliary excretion ability compared with other ruminants. Our understanding of sheep trace mineral requirements has improved for most elements allowing for a factorial approach to determining daily requirement instead of a dietary concentration. Forage trace mineral content is influenced by many factors making issues of trace mineral supplementation geographic-dependent. Oral delivery of trace elements is a preferred supplementation method, and this can be achieved through free choice trace mineralized salt or direct dietary incorporation.

Keywords: Mineral interactions; Requirements; Sheep; Supplementation; Trace minerals.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Minerals
  • Sheep
  • Trace Elements* / metabolism

Substances

  • Trace Elements
  • Minerals