Trace minerals and cadmium toxicity

Larry L. Berger, Ph.D.

Salt Institute

Salt and Trace Minerals newsletter

Spring 2006 (Vol. 38, No. 1)

Detection of cadmium in some phosphate and zinc sulfate fertilizers means that livestock producers need to be aware of the possibility of cadmium toxic­ity in environments where it has not been a problem previously. Some researchers suspect that cadmium is being taken up by certain plants and thus plays a greater role in fescue toxicosis and grass tetany then previ­ously believed. Dietary copper, zinc, iron and selenium can have a major impact on cadmium absorption and retention. Feeding a well-fortified trace mineral salt is the first line of defense to minimize the risk of cadmium toxicity in live­stock and poultry.