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SELENIUM     Se      (Target Level 0.8 - 1.2 ppm)

Selenium, although discovered in 1817, is now at last recognised to be of great importance to livestock and the human population. Not only is it essential to the immune system but also to fertility and the metabolism, as it acts as a catalyst and co-factor with other trace elements. Selenium is ultimately involved with Copper and Cobalt in the metabolisms of cattle, sheep and horses (it is equally important in its own right). For example, deficiencies of Copper and Zinc are often exacerbated by low Selenium levels. It is strongly suspected that Selenium is also essential to the soil and rumen microbes themselves.

Selenium is now deficient in 90% of UK soils. This has finally dawned on the fertiliser manufacturers, some of whom are starting to incorporate a little Selenium in compounds. However, the availability of Selenium is much reduced by heavy application of nitrate, sulphate and phosphate fertilisers, which act as antagonists. High Arsenic levels, often found in old mining areas, also suppress it.

Selenium Deficiency Symptoms in Livestock                                                                    

• Low conception rates
• Abortion and miscarriage
• Neo-natal death
• Malpresentations
• Thick amniotic sac (risk of suffocation at birth)
• Retained afterbirths
• Prolapse
• Bent-over front hooves at birth
• High incidence of pneumonia
• High incidence of scouring
• High incidence of mastitis
• White muscle disease

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Last modified: June 24, 2003