April 4, 2007

Survey shows UK soils deficient in selenium
 

A survey in 2000 by Rothamsted Research in UK revealed that many British soils lack Selenium (Se) which is an important nutritional element in grass for grazing animals.

This soil survey was supported by a forage assessment conducted in 2003 by Yara UK, which showed more evidence of a 74 percent deficiency samples have fallen below 0.1 mg/kg DM. At this level, the grazing animal is likely to have sub-optimal blood Se levels and hence reduced Glutathione peroxidase activity.

Addressing this problem has been the centre of research worldwide, with the majority focusing on feed supplementation in the form of inorganic selenate or organic selenium added to the ration. Yara UK has looked at another approach and it is through grass fertilisation. This work has demonstrated that applications of Selenium-enriched fertiliser (Top Stock) through the grazing season has increased Se levels in the forage above the 0.1mg/kgDM level, subsequently raising the Se Blood levels in all cases.

Having selenium assures grazing animals are receiving enough supplementation from the fodder. Another key aspect is that this method supplies all the selenium in the organic form, bound into seleno proteins (Se-Cysteine, and Se-Methionin), which are more readily available to the animal. The plant does the process of converting inorganic selenate into organic Selenium.