Definition

Copper (Cu) is a trace element, meaning that it is an essential element needed only in small quantities for the development of crops.

Importance

Copper, like boron, is important for grain establishment in corn.

In cattle and horses, Copper is important in many processes in the body. Copper is necessary for converting iron into haemoglobin, building red blood cells, the formation of pigment and is essential for copper-dependent enzymes to maintain the defence system and connective tissues. Copper also plays a role in vascularisation and skeletal development.

Deficiency

Copper deficiency is more likely in peaty and poorer sandy soils; when the soil is alkaline and contains a lot of organic matter, crops will absorb a relatively large amount of molybdenum and Sulphur at the expense of copper.

Copper content

Types of roughage with an average level of copper include grass and grass silage, while silage maize and CCM contain somewhat lower levels. In grass silage, copper levels have dropped significantly due to stricter fertilisation standards in recent decades. Good copper sources include cereals and rapeseed.

table 1: Copper content (mg/kg dm); Eurofins Agro 2009-2013

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