Re: Trace elements and TB


"Oz" <Oz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:xa5j+ZFZlYtDFw4G@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 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/cmag
r
> >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...

I knew some of the arable lads were adding sulphur and I vaguely remember
that there was a couple of firms trying to get grassland farmers to use it
to make up the deficiency but the same firms were also trying to get us to
treat grass like a cereal crop and spray for mildew and everything

>
> >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.

That was my cynical opinion but I try to be wary of my cynicism
--

Jim Webster.
Pat Gardiner, Five years raving about bent vets and still no result



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Trace elements and TB
    ... > 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. ... >Are companies selling mineral supplements going through a hard time at the ...
    (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
    ... >> cakes about thirty years ago because of sub clinical levels of selenium ... I remember we blood tested half a dozen cows, you could be right in it being ... Jim Webster. ...
    (uk.business.agriculture)