Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Vol. 4(13), pp. 229-233, November 2012 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JECE DOI: 10.5897/JECE12.002 ISSN-2141-226X ©2012 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Minerals deficiency diagnosis in grazing cattle of Uasin Gishu District, Kenya K. S. Shisia 1 *, H. Nyambaka 2 , I. O. Jumba 3 , F. D. O. Oduor 3 and V. Ngure 1 1 Department of Chemistry, Laikipia University College, Nairobi, Kenya. 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Laikipia University College, Nairobi, Kenya. 2 Department of Chemistry, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya. 3 Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya. Accepted 28 August, 2012 Grazing cattle in the tropics and especially in Uasin Gishu district depend on a variety of plant species for their mineral supply. One area of concern is that the grazing cattle may be experiencing mineral imbalances due to lack of proper mineral mapping of the region to ascertain the levels of imbalance. A study conducted in the Uasin Gishu region revealed severe deficiencies of mainly Cu (3.30 ± 0.90) and Zn (6.70 ± 0.40) in soils, the elements Na (1.00 ± 0.39), K (11.80 ± 5.00), Ca (0.57 ± 0.19), Mg (1.35 ± 0.72), P (6.34 ± 3.22), Fe (56.00 ± 0.53), Cu (5.32 ± 2.84), Zn (19.50 ± 8.20) in pasture species and the elements Fe (2.43 ± 1.53), Mn (0.26 ± 0.14 ), Cu (0.60 ± 0.17), Mg (0.02 ± 0.01) in animal blood. The study recommends immediate mineral supplementation schemes to grazing cattle in the region and encouragement of certain pasture species in the region. Key words: Grazing cattle, mineral imbalances, supplementation schemes, severe deficiencies. INTRODUCTION Grazing cattle derive their mineral supply from a variety of plant species. Plants in turn derive their mineral elements from soil in which they grow which is related to underlying rock type (Jumba et al., 1995b). Any insufficient supply of minerals by the forages results in mineral imbalance, which limits animal production. The effects of these mineral imbalances in the tropics are manifestation in such cases as low fertility, bone abnormalities, nutritional muscular dystrophy, retarded growth and maturity, hair disorders and low milk and meat production (National development Plan (NDP), 2000; Faria et al., 1981). Studies in grazing areas of Mount Elgon region of western Kenya have shown wide variations in soils and forage mineral composition (Oduor, 2002). Soil-plant mineral interactions have been used to predict mineral levels in animals (Jumba et al., 1995b; Siva, 1996). However, other studies have revealed that status, age and breed of the animal influence mineral *Corresponding author. E-mail: shisia2003@yahoo.com. status in animals. Uasin Gishu is one region that used to produce high quantities of meat and milk, a trend that is declining (Ministry of Finance and planning (MFP), 2001). It comprises six divisions with Northern part comprising of Soy and Moiben, the central part having Turbo and Kapsaret which borders Eldoret town and Southern region having kesses and Ainabkoi divisions (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD), 2003). It is anticipated that Uasin Gishu district could be experiencing same nutritional disorders in the neighbouring Trans Nzoia district. The main objective of the study was to assess mineral deficiencies in Uasin Gishu district and recommend possible measures to alleviate the situation. The study focused on macro elements Na, K, Ca, Mg, P and trace elements Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in soils, pastures and animal blood. 28 soil and forage samples and 28 blood serum from lactating cows were collected from six major farms numbered 1 to 6 situated in three different regions of the district that is, farms 1,3 and 5 in Central; farms 4 and 6 in Northern and farm 2 in Southern (Figure 1). Extractable trace elements and macro elements were determined using the method as described by Lakanen