CHROMIUMINDAIRYCATTLENUTRITION.pdfVIP

Chromium Supplementation in Cattle Diets Jerry W. Spears1 Department of Animal Science North Carolina State University Introduction In the late 1950’s Schwartz and Mertz (1959) reported that trivalent chromium (Cr) was an essential component of a factor in brewer’s yeast that corrected impaired glucose metabolism in rats fed certain diets. Subsequent studies demonstrated that Cr functioned as a potentiator of insulin action (Vincent, 2001). Considerable research has been conducted with Cr in human nutrition and an adequate intake of Cr has been established for humans by the Institute of Medicine (DRI, 2001). Chromium requirements for cattle have been estimated by the National Research Council (NRC). Traditionally, practical diets fed to domestic animals were assumed to provide sufficient Cr to meet animal requirements. However, in the past 15 years a number of studies in cattle and other species have indicated that Cr supplementation of diets can affect animal metabolism and production criteria. Although considerable research has been conducted with Cr in cattle, only recently has Cr supplementation been allowed in cattle diets. The FDA CVM issued a regulatory discretion letter in July of 2009 which permitted the use of Cr propionate as a source of Cr in cattle diets. Chromium propionate is the only Cr source currently permitted for supplementation to cattle diets in the U.S. It can be added at levels up to 0.50 mg Cr/kg of complete diet. This paper will discuss responses that have been observed to supplementation with various forms of Cr in dairy and beef cattle.