A review of copper status of cattle in Canada and recommendations for supplementation

Primary and secondary copper deficiency has been identified in most Canadian provinces. Research has been done investigating the environmental and dietary factors that influence dietary copper availability and the effect of deficient copper status on the health and production of cattle. Across Canada, a high percentage of forages and grains are marginal to deficient in copper. In certain regions, high sulphates in the water and/or high molybdenum concentrations in the feed decrease dietary copper availability. The value of various oral and parenteral copper supplements in the treatment and prevention of copper deficiency is discussed.