Selenium (Se) 0.1 – 20 ppm
Selenium functions with vitamin E as an antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from oxidation. Selenium also affects reproduction; and metabolism of copper, cadmium, mercury, sulfur and vitamin E. Deficiency symptoms include poor growth rate, kids being unable to suckle, white muscle disease (cardiac and skeletal muscles have white spots), sudden death by heart attack, progressive paralysis and retained afterbirth. Selenium is deficient in many areas because of low soil levels (geological factors; Figure 8); however, there are a few regions of high selenium soils leading to high to toxic levels in plants. Toxic levels of selenium cause shedding of hair, diarrhea and lameness. Most plants that are not grown in selenium-deficient soils will have adequate selenium levels. It is more effective to provide selenium supplementation through feed than by injection.
Reference: Hart, S. 2008. Meat Goat Nutrition. Pages 58-83 in Proc. 23rd Ann. Goat Field Day, Langston University, Langston, OK.