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Macro mineral function, deficiency and toxicity symptoms. (Source: Ensminger, M.D., Oldfied, J.E. and Heinemann, W.W. 1990.
| Mineral | Function | Deficiency Symptoms | Toxicity Symptoms |
| Calcium (Ca) | Bone and teeth formation, muscle contractions, milk production. | Rickets (young), milk fever, osteomalacia. | Altered calcium to phosphorus ratio affects bone development and bone structure. |
| Phosphorus (P) | Bone and teeth formation, energy metabolism, DNA makeup, enzyme systems. | Rickets (young), osteomalacia, depraved appetite (pica), low conception rates. | Altered calcium to phosphorus ratio affects bone developments and bone structure. |
| Magnesium (Mg) | Normal bone development, enzyme activator | Hyperirritability (tetany, grass staggers), vasodilation (reduced blood pressure). | Upset Ca:P metabolism. |
| Sodium (Na) | Involved in cellular acid/base balance, muscle contractions, making bile. | Reduced growth and production levels, decreased reproduction. | Salt toxicity (blind staggers), hypertension. |
| Chlorine (Cl) | Involved in cellular acid/base balance, gastric juices (hydrochloric acid. | Decreased growth rate. | other component of salt (sodium chloride). Not considered problematic. |
| Potassium (K) | Cellular osmotic pressure, muscle activity, enzymes, carbohydrate metabolism. | Retarded growth, unsteady walk, muscle weakness, pica diarrhea, abomasum extended. | Low Mg with high K results in excess K in urine. High K will interfere with Mg absorption. |
| Sulfur (S) | Required in sulfur containing amino acids (cysteine, methionine), lipid metabolism, carbohydrate and energy metabolism. | Retarded growth (sulfur containing amino acid shortage). | Not consedered problematic. |