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EVALUATION OF MINERAL COMPOSITION OF FORAGES FOR GRAZING RUMINANTS IN PAKISTAN

ZAFAR IQBAL KHAN¹*, MUHAMMAD ASHRAF², KAFEEL AHMAD¹,NAZIR AHMAD³, MUHAMMAD DANISH³ AND EHSAN ELAHI VALEEM⁴*

Abstract: The current research on the assessment of mineral composition of forages for grazing ruminants was carried out at the Government Livestock Experimental Station in Central Punjab, Pakistan. The aim of the study was to determine and collect data on the mineral contents of forages or feedstuffs that are harvested and used in animal nutrition in the region. The pastures of the station were visited twice, in summer and winter for sampling so as to determine the effect of seasonal changes on the mineral contents of forages. Forage samples were analyzed to determine some macrominerals (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and microminerals (Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu) levels. These results showed that pasture grasses/ forages have sufficient levels of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn to meet the requirements of ruminants being reared there but the occurrence of marginal to deficient supplies of Na and Cu appears very likely in this area of investigation. Food supplements containing Na and Cu are recommended for maximizing the potential of livestock production in this particular ranch of animals.

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha-40100, Pakistan,

²Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan,

³Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha-40100, Pakistan,

⁴Public Private Partnership Unit (PPPU), Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh, Karachi-74200, Pakistan.