Growth Performance and Blood and Liver Copper Values in Hereford Calves Offered Certain Mineral Elements Free Choice1

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Abstract
Five of 10 female Hereford calves in the Oregon coastal area were given CuSO4.5H2O, CoCO3, and MgSO4.7H2O free choice in addition to dairy herd rations. Increased ration consumption and increased daily gain were noted for the supplemented group. Liver biopsies and blood samples were analyzed for Cu and Fe periodically during the course of the experiment. Whole blood and plasma Cu values did not consistently reflect either high or low liver Cu values. The difference in the final copper content between control and supplemented groups was significant at the 5% level (25 ppm versus 44 ppm). Six months after supplementation ceased, liver copper values returned to 22 ppm, illustrating the inability of animals to retain increased copper stores on low Cu diets common to the Oregon coastal area. Liver Fe storage decreased while Cu storage increased.

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