Mineral Deficiencies in Dairy Cattle in Spain

Veterinary professionals have raised concerns over the inadequate mineral content in the diets of semi-extensive grazing systems in Spain, affecting livestock health and productivity. Despite the abundance of pasture, it fails to meet the complex nutritional requirements of cattle, leading to potential profitability issues for farms.

A silent but widespread nutritional problem is affecting cattle in Spain, as animal health experts have noted. Alarm has been raised due to mineral deficiencies observed in much of the bovine livestock, both dairy and beef, raised in semi-extensive systems primarily fed on pastures. Although forage is abundant, it does not satisfy the animals' nutritional needs, impacting the profitability of farms.

The issue is particularly severe with trace elements like selenium, copper, iodine, zinc, and cobalt being deficient. These elements are crucial for bodily functions, including bone formation and immune system health, and their deficiency has long-term detrimental effects on herd health.

This nutritional deficit's primary cause lies in soil composition across many Spanish cattle regions, naturally lacking sufficient mineral concentrations, which then extends to pastures and livestock. Areas with intensive farming practices exacerbate the problem, creating a vicious cycle affecting nutrition systemically.

Consequences go beyond lacking nutrients; beef cattle grow slower with poor feed conversion, while milk production in dairy cattle drops considerably. Reproductively, mineral shortages can lead to fertility issues, increasing costs for farmers and lowering farm efficiency. Weaker immunity also makes livestock more susceptible to disease.

Experts emphasize the need for targeted supplementation, advising farmers to work with veterinarians and nutritionists for precise diagnoses and tailored mineral supplementation plans to ensure the health and sustainability of Spanish farming.