GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION OF THE TOTAL SULFUR CONTENT OF FORAGES GROWN IN NORTHWESTERN MANITOBA
In a forage survey of northwestern Manitoba, total sulfur (S) in grass (n = 600) and legume (n = 262) samples ranged from less than 0.1 to as high as 7.8 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) with mean concentrations in the range of 2.0–2.7 and 2.5–3.4 g kg−1 DM, respectively. Deficiencies of total S for cattle are more likely to occur with grasses while excesses are more likely to occur with legumes. Excessive concentrations of total S, in addition to high or excessive molybdenum in forages, may contribute to the hypocupremia encountered in cattle herds throughout Northwestern Manitoba. Identification of locations where forages may contain excessive total S and/or molybdenum aids in the development of forage and livestock management programs necessary to prevent or reverse hypocupremia in cattle herds. Key words: Forages, sulfur, cattle, copper, molybdenum, northwestern Manitoba