Trace mineral deficiencies including copper, selenium, and zinc cause insidious welfare compromise in cattle. Monitoring and supplementation prevent deficiency diseases.
Trace mineral deficiency causes chronic welfare compromise that is often insidious and difficult to identify until clinical signs appear. Subclinical deficiency impairs immune function, reproductive efficiency, and growth before obvious signs develop. Grazing systems on certain soil types are at known risk of specific deficiencies. Annual blood sampling of a representative cohort of cattle allows identification of deficiencies before welfare harm occurs. Targeted supplementation through boluses, injectable products, or dietary supplementation corrects deficiencies with welfare and productivity benefits.