Mineral status of livestock of shivalik hill zone of Himachal Pradesh

The present study was conducted to assess the mineral status of the livestock of Amb and Gagret blocks of district Una representing agroclimatic zone I of Himachal Pradesh. The blood samples were collected randomly from local and crossbred animals and were analyzed for various macro and micro minerals. Results indicated high levels of K in the blood plasma of die animals of both Amb and Gagret blocks. Ca level was deficient in animals of Amb (8,68 +/- 0.29 mg/dl) and Gagret (8.17 +/- 0.35 mg/dl) blocks, whereas, P was found to be marginally higher in Gagret block (6.57 +/- 0.23 mg/dl). Among micro minerals, Zn was found to be deficient in the animals of both Amb (0.42 +/- 0.04ppm) and Gagret (0.61 +/- 0.09 ppm) blocks, whereas, marginally lower values of Cu were recorded in both the blocks. However, Fe concentration in Amb and Gagret blocks were 1.64 +/- 0.10 and 1.69 +/- 0.11 ppm, respectively. Significantly lower values (P < 0. 05) of Na and P were observed in Amb block as compared to Gagret block. Zn was also found to be significantly lower (P<0.05) in Amb block in comparison to Gagret block. Analysis of feed and fodder samples indicated that all the minerals were within normal range except Cu which was found to be lower in both the blocks. All minerals were in sufficient amount in feed and fodder samples except copper which was below the normal critical range in both the blocks, thus indicating the need for calcium and copper supplementation to the animals of this area.