INFLUENCE OF COPPER SUPPLEMENTATION IN MI LK REPLACERS ON THE COPPER CONCENTRATION OF CALF LIVERS

At present fattening of calves aims at more than 200 kg live weight. T he feeding of milk replacers containig milkpowder of 15 mg copper/kg l eads to copper levels of up to 490 mg copper per kg fresh weight of li ver tissue. For purposes of consumer protection a provisional level of 300 mg copper/kg fresh weight of livers has been laid down. This leve l has been exceeded in 9 of 20 livers in our present study. Fattening results in groups fed milk replacers containing 5 mg copper/kg or 15 m g respectively did not show any significant differences. It is propose d to assess a legal limit of copper of 6 mg/kg milk replacers in the i nterest of consumer and animal protection.