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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Dubois, Idaho » Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296180
Title: Selenium biofortification in North America: Using naturally selenium-rich feeds for livestock

Author
item Taylor, Joshua - Bret
item CATON, JOEL - North Dakota State University
item LARSEN, REX - Non ARS Employee

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2013
Publication Date: 3/1/2014
Citation: Taylor, J.B., Caton, J.S., Larsen, R. 2014. Selenium biofortification in North America: Using naturally selenium-rich feeds for livestock. In: Banuelos, G.S., Lin, Z.-Q., Yin, X., editors. Selenium in the Environment and Human Health. London, UK: Taylor & Francis Group. p.155-156.

Interpretive Summary: Our objective is to demonstrate how livestock feed manufactures could lead the way in North America for large-scale selenium (Se) biofortification of livestock using naturally Se-rich products. With this in mind, a cooperative group, which included researchers, a feed manufacture, a livestock association, and livestock producers, designed and tested a specialized Se-rich product that could be used to rapidly biofortify lactating ewes and nursing young with Se. The initial test formulation contained naturally Se-rich forage as a main ingredient and the source of Se. Preliminary test results revealed significant and rapid biofortification of the ewes and nursing young with Se; a second year of product testing is underway. These results will be used in future marketing surveys to estimate the potential demand for naturally Se-rich products from various livestock industry segments.

Technical Abstract: Our objective is to demonstrate how livestock feed manufactures could lead the way in North America for large-scale Se biofortification of livestock using naturally Se-rich products. With this in mind, a cooperative group, which included researchers, a feed manufacture, a livestock association, and livestock producers, designed and tested a specialized Se-rich product that could be used to rapidly biofortify lactating ewes and nursing young with Se. The initial test formulation contained naturally Se-rich forage as a main ingredient and the source of Se. Preliminary test results revealed significant and rapid biofortification of the ewes and nursing young with Se; a second year of product testing is underway. These results will be used in future marketing surveys to estimate the potential demand for naturally Se-rich products from various livestock industry segments.