Mineral Profile of Sheep and Goats Grazed Natural Pasture in Nyala Locality, Western Sudan

Abstract

The study was conducted in the cold dry season (November 2009-February 2010) to determine Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) concentrations in soil, forage and plasma samples of sheep and goats grazed naturally around Nyala, South Darfur State. Seven soil, 11 forage and 250 blood samples from sheep and goats were collected randomly at the three areas around Nyala town. Calcium and phosphorus were determined by spectrophotometer, Na and K with flame photometer and Cu, Zn and Mn with atomic absorption. Analysis, showed that, soil Ca, K, Cu and Mn concentrations were below the critical limits. While, only Na and Mn in forage were below the critical level. The effect of location on both soil and forage mineral element concentrations were not significant. The study reported higher mineral concentrations in plasma of goats than in sheep, particularly Cu and Zn levels. The plasma mineral profile of sheep and goats fluctuated in relation to sex and age. The results indicated that the mineral supplementation of the livestock at this region is almost at the marginal. This concentration may change abruptly to severe deficient levels at any time and may result in decreasing effective minerals particularly at dry season. It is concluded that mineral supplement is recommended to the grazing animals to enhance the mineral status for maximizing the production potential of goats and sheep and to overcome the marginal deficient level in some essential minerals in dry forages which are considered as the main reason for poor animal performance.