The Professional Animal Scientist 21 (2005):305–317
Effects of Lifetime Copper, Zinc, and Manganese Supplementation and Source on Performance, Mineral Status, Immunity, and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot 1,2 Cattle J. K. AHOLA*,3, L. R. SHARPE*, K. L. DORTON*, P. D. BURNS†, T. L. STANTON*, PAS, and T. E. ENGLE*,4, PAS *Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523 and †Department of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley 80639
Abstract Two calf crops (n = 140, yr 1; n = 130, yr 2) from the same cowherd were used to evaluate the effects of lifetime Cu, Zn, and Mn supplementation and source on performance, status, immunity, and carcass traits of feedlot cattle. Dams were supplemented with trace min-
1
Use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by Colorado State University or criticism of similar products not mentioned. 2 This research was supported in part by grants from the Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY. Appreciation is also extended to Alltech Inc. for donation of the Bioplex威 trace minerals. 3 Present address: Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Caldwell Research and Extension Center, Caldwell 83607. 4 To whom correspondence should be addressed:
[email protected]
eral treatments from approximately 80 d pre-calving through 120 d post-calving. Treatments included 1) control (no supplemental Cu, Zn, or Mn), 2) organic (ORG; 50% organic and 50% inorganic Cu, Zn, and Mn), or 3) inorganic (ING; 100% inorganic CuSO4, ZnSO4, and MnSO4) trace minerals. In the feedlot, calves were maintained on the same treatments, except that ORG contained 33% organic and 67% inorganic Cu, Zn, and Mn. Cattle received a growing diet for 56 d and a finishing diet for 140 d (yr 1) and 145 or 181 d (yr 2) prior to harvest. There was a tendency for a growing-phase year × treatment interaction (P=0.10), and a finishing-phase year × treatment interaction was present (P
