98
Views
6
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Scientific Article

Phosphorus deficiency in a dairy herd

, , &
Pages 174-176 | Accepted 04 Apr 1984, Published online: 23 Feb 2011
 

Abstract

Phosphorus deficiency was diagnosed in a 90 cow seasonal supply dairy herd which showed low milk production, ill-thrift, infertility and osteophagia. Serum inorganic phosphorus and pasture phosphorus levels were low, pasture Ca:P ratios high and soil phosphorus levels very low; the soil phosphate retention value was 96%. The deficiency, which had probably existed for several years, was considered to be due to inadequate annual phosphate fertiliser applications on a high phosphate retaining soil. Phosphorus deficiency may have been exacerbated by the application of lime without phosphate several months before the onset of severe clinical disease. The finding of low sodium levels in pasture samples suggested that sodium deficiency may have co-existed and contributed to the clinical picture.

Treatment, comprising bone flour dusting of pasture, water trough supplementation and phosphorus-containing injections, appeared to induce ovarian activity in anoestrous cows and suppress osteophagia, though controlled treatment trials were not performed. No improvement was noted in milk production or cow condition. Increased annual superphosphate and reduced potassium applications were recommended, together with the monitoring of pasture and soil macro elements and serum phosphorus levels. A decision on whether to supplement with sodium would be based on the results of pasture monitoring, since a direct animal test is not currently available.

It is suggested that phosphorus deficiency may not be uncommon in dairy herds in some North Island districts; based on the present case, the decline in New Zealand superphosphate quality in the 1970's and recently published data which has shown a high proportion of pasture phosphorus deficient sites in some North Island areas.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.