Study on trace mineral intake of grazing sheep in different seasons

The daily trace mineral intake of grazing sheep was measured by gauze mask and mixed sample of edible forage which was made following the grazed ewes. Comparing with nutrition/nutrient requirements of sheep, daily intake of Fe, Mn, Co could meet the need of ewes and Zn was serious deficient (lacking up to 16%-82%) in grazed sheep except pregnancy in July and August, especially during the early lactation ewes only could get 17.8% from pasture. Daily intake by sheep could not get to a sufficient number of Cu and Se, the lack of Cu reached 55%-59% during the late pregnancy and early lactation, and the lack of Se reached 6%-52% during the whole year.