Barium Selenate Supplementation of a Crossbred Cattle Herd in Puerto Rico

Crossbred beef cows (30) were split into two groups, with half receiving injectable selenium and half serving as the control. The injectable selenium was Deposel multidose. This is a slow realease barium selenate product. Blood was collected four times during the year, with cows receiving the Deposel having higher (P<0.01) serum selenium. Animals receiving the selenium also had higher (P<0.01) liver selenium than controls. Calves from cows receiving the injectable selenium also had higher (P<0.01) serum selenium than controls. During the one year trial barium selenate was effective for elevating selenium status of cattle.