Free Choice Copper and Sodium Supplement for All Classes of Dairy and Beef Cattle

• Copper is involved in many oxidation-reduction reactions within the body, bone formation, maintenance of nerve tissue, normal heart function, normal hair pigmentation, and reproduction. Copper (along with iron) is involved in hemoglobin synthesis.
• Absorption of copper is mainly from the upper small intestine by binding to intestinal proteins or peptide molecules. Absorption can be disrupted by nutritional imbalances such as acidosis, intestinal bacterial infections, parasitic infestations or feed toxins.
• Copper absorption may be regulated by body needs. Absorption efficiency is greater in deficient animals and during pregancy. Young animals absorb copper more effiiciently than older animals (as much as three times more).
• Copper availability in forages ranges from 6% to 34%. Factors that are known to affect copper uptake include a chemical form of copper in the diet. At site of absorption, copper in forages are bound to low molecular weight complexes that do not appear to remain intact in the gastrointestinal tract. Molybdenum and sulfur reduce the availability of copper.