Re: Trace elements and TB

Jim Webster <Jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
> There has been a bit of interest about trace elements and TB
>http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199899/cmselect/cmagr
>ic/233/233app30.htm
>
>Or search for Memorandum submitted by Hellen Fullerton PhD (L37)
>
>This links in with a firm called FIELD SCIENCE LTD
>http://www.fieldscience.co.uk/introduc.htm
>
>Which is also putting out stuff claiming that adding trace elements to
>grassland will reduce the susceptibility to TB in bovines and badgers
>
>Instinctively I regard the this field as a fine hunting ground for snake oil
>salespersons. But two points raised that did puzzle me.
>
>Firstly they are talking about an increase in the usage of Ammonium Sulphate
>as a fertiliser locking up selenium. Has there been an increase in the
>usage?

In arable areas due to sulphur deficiency.
The total (ie atmospheric+applied) S applications to land have plummeted
horrendously this decade.

So one can be sure that its not the excessive supply of S that is the
problem. Now, if they had argued insufficient S then maybe...

>Round here it remains Ammonium Nitrate or Urea as the fertilizer of
>choice, while another point made was selenium deficiency was one of the
>causes of susceptibility to TB. But they started adding selenium to dairy
>cakes about thirty years ago because of sub clinical levels of selenium
>deficiency, I can remember we did some blood tests at the time and the vets
>noticed this deficiency, but virtually that month the companies all
>announced they were adding selenium. So if selenium was a problem, then
>surely high yielding dairy herds would be the least likely to be effected by
>Selenium.

Absolutely.

>Are companies selling mineral supplements going through a hard time at the
>moment?

Always after a quick (or even slow) buck I expect.

--
Oz
This post is worth absolutely nothing and is probably fallacious.

Use oz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [ozacoohdb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx functions].
BTOPENWORLD address has ceased. DEMON address has ceased.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Trace elements and TB
    ... > Jim Webster writes ... >> There has been a bit of interest about trace elements and TB ... >>as a fertiliser locking up selenium. ... > In arable areas due to sulphur deficiency. ...
    (uk.business.agriculture)
  • Trace elements and TB
    ... There has been a bit of interest about trace elements and TB ... as a fertiliser locking up selenium. ... deficiency, I can remember we did some blood tests at the time and the vets ... Five years raving about bent vets and still no result ...
    (uk.business.agriculture)
  • Re: Trace elements and TB
    ... > This links in with a firm called FIELD SCIENCE LTD ... > Firstly they are talking about an increase in the usage of Ammonium Sulphate ... > as a fertiliser locking up selenium. ... > deficiency, I can remember we did some blood tests at the time and the vets ...
    (uk.business.agriculture)
  • Re: Trace elements and TB
    ... dairy herds would be the least likely to be effected by Selenium. ... Are companies selling mineral supplements going through a hard time ... supplements like selenium in feeds? ...
    (uk.business.agriculture)