Some problems in assessing the physiological and economic significance of hypocupraemia in beef suckler herds

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Abstract
Factors influencing the incidence of hypocupremia and responses to Cu therapy were investigated in 3 beef suckler herbs calving in spring and early summer. On farm A hypocupremia was most severe (plasma Cu < 0.4 mg/l) in March for the cows and in Oct./Nov. for their calves. On farm B plasma Cu levels were 30% lower in 5-8 yr old cows than in 2 yr old cows in late Nov. Administration of Cu (100 mg) in late pregnancy significantly increased plasma Cu in the suckled calves on farm A but not in their dams after parturition. Growth of the calves was not increased. The alleviation of severe hypocupremia on a 3rd farm (C) by injecting the calf with Cu did not improve growth rate. In some areas a severe seasonal hypocupremia may be tolerated without loss of productivity.