Studies of the soil-plant relationships of copper, molybdenum and sulphur in hill pastures

Abstract

This project investigated the soil-plant relationships of copper (C u ), molybdenum (Mo) and sulphur (S) in hill pastures following observations of increased incidence of Mo and S-induced negative Cu balances in sheep grazing some hill sites after improvement. Although it is a relatively simple procedure to dose the sheep with Cu to prevent the development of negative Cu balances, associated with the risk of swayback and reduced lamb growth rates, it would be advantageous if sufficient were known about the soil-plant relationships of Cu , Mo and S to modify hill improvement practices and choice of sites, so that the problem does not arise.