The Absorption of
Copper and Zinc by Cattle Consuming Diets
Containing the Antagonists Molybdenum,
Sulfur, and Iron
Table 1. Classification of trace elements relative to their ability to meet either dietary requirements or cause an antagonistic problem with other trace elementsa.
| Trace Minerals | Deficient,ppm | Marginal,ppm | Adequate,ppm |
| Copper | <4 | 4-7 | 7+ |
| Manganese | <20 | 20-40 | >40 |
| Zinc | <20 | 20-40 | >40 |
| Cobalt | <0.1 | - | 0.1-0.25 |
| Selenium | <0.1 | 0.1-0.15 | 0.15-0.3 |
| Copper: Molybdenum Ratio | <4:11 | 4-4.5:12 | 4.5-5:12 |
| Trace
Mineral
Antagonist |
|||
| Iron |
50-200 |
400 | |
| Molybdenum |
<1 |
>3 | |
a Adapted from Corah & Dargatz (1996)
1 Ideal Copper:Molybdenum ratio.
2 Copper:Molybdenum ratio greater than four can cause copper
"tie-ups".