Phosphorus and the ruminant

Abstract

Phosphorus insufficiency in the ruminant is reflected in retarded growth, poor reproductive performance, reduced milk yield and wool growth, and impaired skeletal and dental health. Geographically widespread, it is associated with soils deficient in available phosphorus, with a preponderance of poorer grasses and a paucity of legumes in the herbage and in general with a low protein content in the food intake. Aphosphorosis may be corrected by supplementary feeding with phosphatic minerals.