Phosphorus deficiency in dairy herd blood tests

Farmers are being advised to contact their vet

73 bovine bloods tested for inorganic phosphorous in Athlone laboratory last month found 47% had inorganic phosphorous values that were low or below the normal range. File Picture. 

The Regional Veterinary Laboratories of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have reported a marked prevalence of seasonal phosphorus deficiency in blood samples from certain dairy herds.

Of 73 bovine bloods tested for inorganic phosphorous in the Athlone laboratory in April, 47% had inorganic phosphorous values that were low or below the normal range.