Selenised compressed salt blocks for selenium deficient sheep

Abstract

Salt blocks containing 30 or 120 ppm selenium were tested as the sole supplement for sheep farmed in a selenium-deficient area of New Zealand (Te Anau). Both concentrations were unsatisfactory in preventing selenium deficiency. In five trials using 120 ppm Se salt, the highest percentages of sheep found to be deficient were 31% (lambs) and 32% (ewes). If sheep which were classed as marginally deficient were included these percentages became 63% (lambs) and 56% (ewes). Some instances of selenium-responsive unthriftiness in lambs were encountered, and in one trial there was the possibility of selenium-responsive infertility having contributed to the low lambing performance of the ewes. There was no evidence of white muscle disease. Selenium levels in the liver and kidney were well below the permitted maximum. Because selenised salt failed to eliminate selenium deficiency, its use as a sole supplement for sheep grazing selenium deficient pasture is not recommended.