What is the role of calcium in livestock diets?

Calcium plays a crucial role in livestock diets, particularly for bone development and lactation. In young animals, calcium is vital for the formation of strong bones and teeth, helping to prevent skeletal disorders and ensuring healthy growth. For lactating animals, adequate calcium intake is essential for the production of milk, as this mineral is a key component in milk composition. Insufficient calcium can lead to conditions like milk fever, which is a serious metabolic disorder in dairy cattle that can severely affect their health and productivity.

While other minerals and nutrients have roles in energy transfer, muscle repair, and water retention, calcium’s primary functions revolve around structural support in bones and facilitation of metabolic processes related to lactation. This underscores the importance of incorporating sufficient calcium in the diets of livestock to promote overall health, growth, and milk production.