Induced molybdenum toxicity in cattle on pasture

Molybdenum levels in pasture forage which cause toxicity generally range between 5-30 ppm. It has been reported that scouring symptoms were more severe on fresh pasturage than when cattle were fed the same forage as hay. Even though molybdenum toxicity is primarily a problem that occurs under pasture conditions most controlled studies of the effect of molybdenum on cattle have been carried on in the feedlot. Using hay as the source of forage, it was found that 100 ppm inorganic molybdenum was required to cause similar symptoms as those found under local pasture conditions. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of high levels of inorganic molybdenum when administered daily to steers on pasture. 16 references, 2 tables.