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Abstract

In the distric of Bugaba, Province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama, 5% of the total cattle farming activity (27 farms) were sampled under five animals per farm. Most of the soils are sandy loam; predominant grass, Panicum maximun, Jacq and mineral supplementation is scarce. All farms were sampled during 1981, in order to measure the relationship between minerals soil, plant and animal. Samples of soil, grass and blood were collected at the farm, while liver and bone were taken at the slaughterhouse. Levels of P, Ca, Mg, Mn, K, Al, Zn and Cu were determined in soil and grass; Zn and Cu in blood; Zn, Cu and Mn in liver and P in bone. Insufficiency of P in soil and grass, as well as in bone was the most ousttanding. Low levels of Zn and Cu in hematic and hepatic tissues, were also found.