Cymraeg

Feeds and Feeding
Session 3 - Vitamins and Minerals

This resource is suitable to support Level 2 Agriculture courses.

Introduction

These are complex molecules that the animal requires to remain healthy.

  • These molecules are based on carbon, hydrogen and oxygen but also contain a range of other elements.
    • Graphic with text 'vitamins and minerals' in the middle, and lots of different chemical symbols surrounding

    Vitamins

    Vitamins are only needed in very small amounts in the diet.

  • Vitamins can break down over time, so feed labels will indicate the levels of vitamins in the feed and the date by which the feed should be used.
    • image of cow feeding

    Vitamin A

    Needed for:

  • Production of protein.
  • Development of bones and skin.
  • Night vision.

    • Deficiency symptoms in the animal:

  • Reduced production and fertility, poor coat and hooves.
    • image of hoove in poor condition

    Vitamin B

    Needed for:

  • Many body processes including energy release.

    • Deficiency symptoms in the animal:

  • Poor growth, anaemia and other problems.
  • Microbes in the rumen can make vitamin B as long as there is enough cobalt in the diet.
    • image of ewe and lamb

    Vitamin C

    Needed for:

  • Growth and protection from disease.

    • Deficiency symptoms in the animal:

  • Not often deficient in ruminant as it is found in many plants.
    • image of cows

    Vitamin D

    Needed for:

  • Bones development.
  • Balancing calcium and phosphorus in the body.

    • Deficiency symptoms in the animal:

  • Milk fever.
  • Bone weakness.
    • graphic of cross section of a bone

    Vitamin E

    Needed for:

  • Use of fats.
  • Strong body membranes.
  • Muscles.

    • Deficiency symptoms in the animal:

  • Reduced fertility, more still-births and retained placentas.
  • Closely linked to selenium.
  • Poor muscle structure and function.
    • image of ewe and lamb

    Minerals

    These are mineral elements in addition to carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen that are vital to life.

  • Minerals can be divided into two groups according to the amounts needed by animals to stay healthy.
    • graphic showing chemical symbols for elements discussed

    Major and Micro Minerals

    Major elements:

  • Major elements are required in relatively large amounts e.g. calcium and phosphorus.

    • Minor (or trace) elements:

  • Minor elements are required in smaller amounts e g. copper, cobalt and selenium.

    • Major elements are required in relatively large amounts e.g. calcium and phosphorus.


    Mineral Symbol Required for Deficiency symptoms
    Calcium Ca Bones, teeth, milk production, muscle function Milk fever, reduced available calcium in blood, lack of appetite and muscle function
    Phosphorus P Bones, fertility, milk production Reduced fertility and production
    Magnesium Mg Proper working of nervous system Grass staggers/grass tetany; excitability, coma and death
    Potassium K Water balance, Use of energy Reduced fertility and production
    Iron Fe Red blood cells to carry oxygen Anaemia

    Minor elements are required in smaller amounts e.g. copper, cobalt and selenium

    For certain minerals such as copper (in sheep) there is only a small difference between the amount required to prevent deficiency and the toxic dose

    Mineral Symbol Required for Deficiency symptoms
    Sodium Na Water balance Reduced appetite, dehydration
    Chlorine Cl Water balance Reduced appetite, dehydration
    Sulphur S Needed for proteins Poor production (protein deficiency)
    Coper Cu Blood cells, nerves, fertility Swayback in lambs - poor coordination of the hind legs
    Cobalt Co Formation of vitamin B12 Pine - poor performance
    Selenium Se Healthy membranes Reduced fertility, white muscle disease
    Zinc Zn Healthy skin, fertility Poor growth and skin
    Iodine I To produce the hormone thyroxine Infertility and poor performance, goitre
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