| Conclusion Short-term exposure of sheep to Se-fertilized forage results in increased whole blood Se concentrations sufficient to maintain adequate concentrations throughout grazing periods when there is limited access to Se supplements. Targeted grazing of Se-fertilized forage provides another tool for sheep producers to maintain and improve the health and productivity of their flocks, particularly when seasonal grazing practices result in limited access to Se-containing salt-mineral mixes for extended periods of time. Acknowledgements John P. Maas, University of California, Davis, CA for forage Se analyses. Sheep Center student workers Wayne Mosher, Jim Oldfield and Phil Whanger, OSU Emeritus faculty FIGURE 1 Comparison of least squared mean (± SEM) whole-blood selenium (Se)
concentrations in sheep consuming either Se-fertilized pasture with no mineral supplement (n=15) or non-Se-fertilized pasture, with Se-containing (200 ppm) mineral supplement (n=15). Treatment periods were for 40 days (arrows). Reference range for adult sheep whole-blood Se concentrations shown as shaded area. (Treatment differences within month: *P<0.0001, †P=0.001).
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