| Author | Message | ||
     Don S. New member Username: don_s Post Number: 19 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 172.149.169.199  Rating: N/A |
Thank you Maggie. I am going to check around to see where I can get the test done. Also I think it be good time to test a couple of the breeders because I think it would reflect on what the levels of the newborns will have too. | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1761 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.242.73  Rating: N/A |
Ooops I did mean a half dose, 1 cc per 80 pounds (I corrected my post). Yes selenium is a trace mineral found in rather small quantities. It is also found in many compounded forms some may be absorbed by plant some might not be so well absorbed. Some plants (such as loco weed) are selenium accumulators meaning they absorb it very well and that is one of the things that makes this plant so toxic. I don't think selenium breaks down in stored hay so much (it is an elemental mineral, not subject to break down). But after a piece of farm land has been in constant cultivation, all trace minerals diminish. When the field is fertilized only some minerals are put back, potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, seldom do growers try to replenish the trace minerals as they are not needed to make the plants grow only make them a bit more nutritious. This mineral depletion in the feed and forage crops is why it is so important to offer a good mineral supplement all year round. But with selenium being so highly regulated by the FDA, it may be advisable to give BoSe to be sure the livestock is getting enough. Selenium is easy to test for with a blood test. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Don S. New member Username: don_s Post Number: 18 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 172.191.215.232 Rating: N/A |
Im guessing you suggested a half rate dosage(1cc/80lbs)? Now I am curious what would cause Se depletion on a tract of land? For some time I been wondering about Se in hay that may have been grown on a low Se land and could Se break down and deteriate as stored hay ages. Also consider this... If continuous cultivation and crop production depletes the Se of the soil, then what about a tract of land where hay is produced over and over, year after year? Even if that tract of land was high in Se years ago, the hay coming off of it today will lack Se and other minerals. So after a couple of winter months of hay as a main diet perhaps the Se levels in goats that already may be border line will experience very dificient levels of Se. And during the winter is when many goat raisers have fetuses developing in their breeders. This probably adds to the Se problem. | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1755 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.242.73 Rating: N/A |
The standard dose is 1 cc per 40 pounds, try giving 1 cc per 80 pounds. But they would probably be fine if given the standard dose. You can have the goats blood tested to see if their selenium level is low. You don't need to test all of them, just do a representative number. Do remember that selenium map is 40 years old. Selenium is a trace mineral and once it is depleted in farm land it does not come back. You also have to consider where your hay and grain (in your feed) is being grown, not just your own pasture. (Message edited by maggieleman on January 30, 2007) Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Don S. New member Username: don_s Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2007 Posted From: 172.165.111.153 Rating: N/A |
I do not seem to be in a highly deficient area but I had some symptoms of possible Se deficiency in the past like retained placentas. The does are in thier final stage of pregnancy. I would like to give them a reduced dosage of BoSe to ensure adequate Se and vitamin E. But I sure do not want to risk OD. What would be an effective but safe dosage rate? Thank you. |