The interaction between Manganese and Selenium

We are all aware of the importance of Selenium in modern livestock production, with its ability to help reduce white muscle disease, retained cleansings and improve immunity.

What is less well known is the effect on Selenium absorption by Manganese, we have been looking at this issue for many years and there is no doubt that when high levels of manganese are fed in the diet possible problems with Selenium availability in the animal are seen.

A common reaction to this comment is “oh yes but manganese is an essential trace element which is required in supplements to boost availability in diets” and our answer to that would be yes manganese has an effect on fat and carbohydrate metabolism as well as growth and skeletal formation, but and this is a big BUT, we have found in forage we have analysed throughout the country that there are already high levels of Manganese and in a lot of cases these levels are well above livestock need.

When doing analysis we look for a level of 80mg/kg in forage of Manganese but we commonly see 50%+ more of this element and this is when problems with Selenium could occur.

This is why Zintec’s Tailor-made service is so effective. We analyse forage using the tried and tested wet method chemistry rather than the less reliable but cheaper NIR (near infrared) to provide mineral and trace element status of the forage sample. We can then provide the farmer with a full report on the status of the farms forage, with a recommendation on supplementing the farms livestock with either a Tailor-made supplement or one of Zintec’s range of quality high spec supplements in both granular or molassed lick form. “This takes the mystery out of mineral supplementation and provides livestock with what they need and not what they don’t need, remember forage is the only feed we use that doesn’t come with a label, with this service we can give it that label.” says Chris Williams, Managing Director of Zintec Feed Supplements.