Variation in absorption and excretion of calcium in grazing sheep in a semi-arid grazing ranch, Punjab, Pakistan

The calcium status of lactating, non-lactating, and male sheep on farm in southwestern Punjab, Pakistan was studied. Pasture and animal were sampled at the end of the first month of summer and winter. All samplings were carried out fortnightly. A mineral supplement was available to all animals throughout the year. Plasma calcium in all animals was not affected by the physiologic state and gender as it was severely deficient in all classes of animals. The calcium concentrations of forage and plasma in all classes of sheep, and milk in lactating sheep were affected by the season (P