Authors : Keo Sath, Thomas Pauly and Kjell Holtenius
Abstract: The nutrient composition of six forage types from two zones in Cambodia was compared against faecal and urinary excretion of macro minerals by growing cattle in these regions. The forage types were rice bran, rice straw, para grass, cassava foliage (leaves and petioles), leucaena leaves and water hyacinth leaves. One sample of each forage type was collected from four different sites representing two major agro-ecological zones of Cambodia. Potential mineral deficiency was investigated by analysing the mineral composition of faeces and urine samples collected from 28 non-pregnant, non-lactating cows of the Local Yellow breed, equally distributed between the two zones. The analyses showed that Ca and P levels varied markedly between the different forages. The P concentration in rice bran matched animal requirements but that in rice straw was low and that in cassava foliage, leucaena leaves, para grass and water hyacinth was marginal. The concentration of all minerals in faeces dry matter was slightly higher in one of the two regions. The data obtained on faecal and urinary excretion of minerals indicated that Ca, P, Na and Mg intake was insufficient in the cattle sampled. The results also indicated that several of the commonly used forages in Cambodia have a mineral composition that does not fully cover the requirements of growing cattle. However, it would be possible to meet the requirements by mixing these forages.
Keo Sath, Thomas Pauly and Kjell Holtenius, 2012. Mineral Balance of Cambodian Cattle Based on Their Faecal and Urinary Excretion. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 4221-4225.