Mineral Nutrition of Goats

Abstract

World literature on mineral nutrition of dairy goats was reviewed for the first time. No daily requirements of minerals for goats under different production conditions have been found. Cows, sheep, and goats differ in milk, blood, and tissue contents of minerals. Goats milking between .8 and 2.0 kg/day were in positive calcium and phosphorus balance when receiving between 7.7 and 21.6 g calcium oxide and 6.6 to 13.5 g phosphorus oxide in the feed daily and when sources of vitamin D were provided. Supplies of 238 mg magnesium per day were too small for normal milk production. A concentration of 1.74 g sodium per kilogram feed dry matter allowed normal milk production and growth of goats while .31 g sodium/kg dry matter did not. Dietary supplies of .03% ferrous iron produced normal ruminal epithelial color while .003% did not. Copper deficiencies can develop in the presence of cadmium and sulfur pollution. Zinc supplied at 6 to 7 ppm per day to growing males and milking females produced deficiency symptoms, and a minimum of 10 ppm is necessary for normal functions. Zinc deficiency produced changed sex ratios in favor of female twins. Goats fed 5 ppm manganese daily developed signs of deficiences including changed sex ratios in favor of male twins. © 1980, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.