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Evaluating the Nutritional Status of Beef Cattle Herds from Four Soil Order Regions of Florida. I. Macroelements, Protein, Carotene, Vitamins A and E, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit¹

University of Florida^,8, Gainesville, 32611

Abstract

The nutrient status of grazing beef cattle from four selected soil order regions of Florida was examined. Liver, blood, hair and feces samples from 14 heifers and 14 cows, plus forage samples, were collected during two periods of the year from nine ranches located in four different regions. Soil samples were collected during one period. The soil order regions were the Histosol (southeast), Spodosol (southwest), Entisol (central) and Ultisol (northwest). Mean forage P values were higher (P<.05) in the wet season, while mean hair P levels were higher (P<.05) during the dry season. Mean forage, plasma, liver and hair Mg values were higher (P<.05) in the wet season. Plasma vitamin E, liver vitamin A and forage carotene levels were higher (P<.05) during the wet season. Mean forage P content was deficient (<.25%) during both seasons and varied from .10% in the dry season to .16% during the wet season. Mean forage Mg(<.18%) and K (<.60%) concentrations were deficient in the dry season. Forage protein was deficient (<7.0%) in five of seven ranches during the dry season. Extractable soil Ca, exchangeable soil Ca, Mn, Al, H⁺, soil organic matter and effective cation exchange capacity were higher (P<.05) in the Histosol region. Extractable soil K was low (<60 ppm) in all regions, except the northwest. Forage P was critical (<.25%) during the dry season in all regions and varied from .08 to .15%, while plasma P was deficient (<4.5 mg/100 ml) in animals from the southeast during the dry season only.

¹ Florida Agr. Exp, Sta. Journal Series No. 3486.

² Present Address: Institut Facultaire Agronomique, National Univ. of Zaire, B. P. 28, Yangambi, Republic of Zaire.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville 32611.

⁴ Agricultural Research Center, Jay, FL 32565.

⁵ Agricultural Research Center, Ona, FL 33865.

⁶ Agricultural Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, FL 33430.

⁷ Dept. of Statist., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville 32611.

⁸ The authors wish to thank the Development Support Bureau of the Agency for International Development for funds supporting this research, Nancy Wilkinson for laboratory analyses, and Sarah McKee for assistance in manuscript preparation.