Phosphorus Deficiency
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If you are seeing this message, you made need to upgrade your Flash plugin, or turn on Java Script in your browser, or upgrade your browser itself (Internet Explorer, Firefox) so you can view our videos.Where are P deficiency prone areas?
Research has shown that in rich country areas from Ingham to Normanton and north to Cape York, Desert Uplands, Mulga areas and Mitchell grass country cattle are commonly found to be deficient in phosphorus. It is also common problem found on red soil scrub country in the Western Division in NSW.
P deficiency in herds
Herds deficient in phosphorus (P) can experience significant drops in weaning rates and herds suffering from acute deficiency which can result in fatal bone disorders.Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines regional director, Neil MacDonald, comments that supplementing cattle will be beneficial to performance rates. If a Phosphorus supplement is given in addition to nitrogen, the animals health has been found to be much stronger and will not deteriorate as quickly.
Former researcher for CSIRO and Meat and Livestock Australia, David Coats, has been involved in developing the area of animal nutrition, in particular the phosphorus nutrition and development of faecal NIRS for the nutritional diagnosis of grazing cattle. He recognizes the importance of Phosphorus in cattle development.
Cattle can gain live weight during the wet season, up to 70kg; weaning percentages also can be boosted by 10-15% and weaner weights increased by 10-20% through Phosphorus supplements. A study by the CSIRO on the effect of a phosphorus supplement on the performance of steers indicated that phosphorus supplementation increased weight gains during the wet season on both unfertilized stylo and native pastures.
When do you supplement?
Supplementation does not have to happen all year, many producers will use supplements only at certain times of the year. Some producers believe supplements are necessary with the onset of green grass, others suggest that it is necessary only when grass has dried or is running out. Yet providing Phosphorus supplements during the wet season, when cattle are growing the fastest, have been found to be the best time to provide phosphorus to maximize cattle production. Remember the effectiveness of a feeding program will depend on the feed and your animal management.
How much supplement do you use?
Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines
regional director, Neil MacDonald recommends 5-8 grams of phosphorus per head
per day. Rumevite supplements provide protein, vitamins and minerals for animals
growth and development. Supplementing fortnightly over the wet season is the
most ideal situation.Supplementation needs to target the herd's dietary needs, so this should be monitored before purchasing any supplements. Maintaining good lick records which include the quantity of lick put out and amount of nutrients consumed will help producers in tackling Phosphorus deficiency issues.
How to administer supplements?
There a few different ways to distribute supplements through water medication, licks, and feed blocks.A cost effective way of distributing phosphorus is through water medication. This method may have strategic problems such as a result of a lack of appropriate machinery and excess standing water. Also on large properties it is difficult to know exactly how much supplement is being fed to cattle.
Blocks are a convenient supplement because they usually require little labour input. Proprietary blocks vary in price, nitrogen content, palatability and how well they hold together. The relative merits of the various commercially available blocks depend on those factors.
For palatability, blocks are based on salt or molasses. Salt is cheap, and many proprietary blocks use salt as both an attractant and an intake regulator. However in some areas cattle will not seek salt, in these cases molasses provides a concentrated source of energy. Some Rumevite blocks are weather resistant and can be fed in the open. Producers may run into problems where cattle wont eat the licks that are put out for them. However by simply changing the recipe of the lick, this problem can be over come.
How to feed blocks
- Ensure there is excess pasture or stubble available when feeding.- Place blocks on high well drained ground area, at least 30 metres from watering area.
- Once stock begins to consume block encourage them to move away from water to graze, and avoid over consumption.
Cost
While initially Phosphorus supplements can be seen as expensive, the cost over the long term can be seen as highly beneficial. Non deficient cattle can result in increased pasture feed intake, milk production, calving rates and growth rates.Buying supplements in bulk, in order to bring down costs will also help to shield producers from any sudden rise in Phosphorus prices.
Using small shelters to protect loose licks will also allow farmers to distribute a tonne of licks at a time, making it easier in winter.
Rumevite Blocks & Licks
