Introduction

Dairy Cattle And Buffaloes Require A Number Of Dietary Mineral Elements For Normal Body Maintenance, Growth And Reproduction. Minerals That Are Required In Relatively Large Amounts Are Called Major Or Macro Elements. Those Needed In Small Amounts Are Classified As Micro, Minor, Or Trace Minerals. The Major Minerals Include Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine And Sulphur. Among Those Needed In Trace Amounts Are Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Iodine, Cobalt And Selenium. Deficiency Of Minerals In The Ration Of Animals Impairs Metabolic Functions, Which Affects The Growth In Young Calves And Milk Production  And  Reproduction Efficiency In Adult Animals. Supplementation Of Bio-Available  Minerals  Through  Mineral Mixture Is Of Paramount Importance , As Minerals Are Nowhere Synthesized In Animal’s Body.

Functions Of Different Minerals

Calcium (Ca):

·       Essential For Milk Production.

·       Necessary For Bone & Teeth

·       Required For Contraction Of Muscles.

Phosphorus (P):

·       Essential For Milk

·       Required In Energy

·       Required For Bone & Teeth Formation

Magnesium (Mg):

·       Important For The Integrity Of Bone &

·       Involved In Protein Synthesis And Metabolism Of Carbohydrates & Lipids.

Sulphur (S):

·       Required For Protein Synthesis And Metabolism Of Carbohydrates &

·       Sulphur Is A Part Of B-Complex Vitamins, Thiamin & Biotin.

Sodium (Na) & Potassium (K):

·       Required For Maintenance Of Osmotic

·       Required In Acid- Base Equilibrium.

Copper (Cu):

·       Required For Hemoglobin Synthesis

·       Necessary For Tissue Pigmentation & Component Of Several Metallo-Enzymes.

·       Required For Normal Reproduction Functions.

Zinc (Zn):

·       Spermatogenesis & The Development Of Primary & Secondary Sex

·       Required For Normal Functioning Of Epithelial

·       Activates Vitamin A & Its Deficiency Leads To Night Blindness.

Manganese (Mn):

·       Co-Factor For Many Enzymes Involved In Carbohydrate

·       Activator In The Synthesis Of Fatty Acids.

Benefits Of Feeding Mineral Mixture

·       Improves Growth Rate Of Calves, Hence Early

·       Improves Reproduction Efficiency In Male And Female

·       Reduces Inter-Calving Period, More Productive Life Of

·       Improves Efficiency Of Feed

·       Improves Milk

·       Better Immune Response; Hence Better Resistance Against Infectious

·       Calves Born Are

·       Improves General Health Of

·       More Economical And Effective, If It Is Area Specific