The influence of pasture fertilization on animal health

Abstract

The health of animals grazing on pastures is affected by mineral content of fodder plants. The mineral content of any pasture species may vary within very wide limits and is profoundly influenced by fertilization. Some of the known facts about animal health in relation to the supply of mineral nutrients in pasture dry matter are presented, together with a discussion of how the uptake of minerals by animals may be influenced by fertilization of pastures.Keywords: dry matter yields|phosphorus|magnesium|nitrogen|sulphur|cows|palatabilities|calcium|trace elements|animal health|potassium|Natal|fertilisation|grazing|mineral contents|influences|plant species|nutrients|minerals|pasture