Potassium, Sodium and Magnesium in Grass and Animal Nutrition: A Question of Balance

Potassium, Sodium and Magnesium in Grass and Animal Nutrition: A Question of Balance

Keywords: balances, nutrient budgets, K flows, animal nutrition, nutrient interactions, farming systems, manures and slurries, metabolic disorders.

Potassium (K) is a key nutrient with widespread impact and functions within the complexity of grassland based livestock production. It has received relatively little research attention in recent years, but much is known about its behaviour, content and specific roles in each of the component parts of a livestock farm. Requirements for optimised supplies to forage crops are well known, as is K distribution and availability in soils. The interactions of K with other elements which are of importance to the nutritional well-being of livestock, especially lactating ruminants, have also been well described, and whilst the effects can be confounded by interactions with other factors, good advice is available to minimise risk. Nevertheless, it is timely to consider K in a more systematic way within the whole production cycle so that any potential imbalances in supply per se, or in relation to other nutritional requirements for optimised plant and animal performance, can be identified at an early stage. Knowledge of soil, field and farm K balances is one means of providing guidance on actions that may need to be taken from both tactical and strategic perspectives. Examples are provided of effects at various stages of the production cycle and of opportunities to improve balances.

S C Jarvis, formerly at: The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke Research Station, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, UK.

G E J Fisher, Novus Europe S.A./N.V., Congleton, Cheshire ST7 3BS, UK.

17 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables, 9 references.