Mineral Nutritional Status of Yaks (Bos Grunniens) Grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The investigation was carried out to study the mineral status of yaks (Bos grunniens) grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (QTP) in four counties. Samples of soils, forages, and serum of yaks were collected and analyzed for both macro and micro mineral concentrations. The results revealed the deficiency of both macro and micro minerals in both seasons. The data are useful for further research, as well as the possible supplementation of both macro and micro minerals, to improve the health and productivity of the yaks in the QTP region. ABSTRACT: Minerals are essentially important for supporting livestock’s health, as well as productivity. This study aimed to investigate the mineral status of yaks (Bos grunniens) grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and the relationship between macro and micro mineral nutrients among soil, forages, and blood in four counties of the QTP. The soil samples (n = 320), forages (n = 320), and blood serum (n = 320) were collected from four randomly selected yak farms in each location during July (warm season) and December (cold season), and were analyzed for macro minerals (P, Ca, K, Mg, Na) and micro minerals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Se). Based on this study, both of the macro and micro minerals were very variable between seasons and many of the macro and micro minerals, such as P, Mg, K, S, Na, Se, and Cu, were found to be below the requirement level for yaks in all four counties. It was significantly shown that the concentrations of both macro and micro minerals in soil and forages influenced the serum concentration of minerals, showing the deficient status of yaks.