Phosphorus (P)
Rarely short on New Zealand pasture, and the half of the calcium ratio that quietly goes wrong on grain.
Often searched as phosphorus deficiency, Ca:P ratio.
What it changes in the tools
- Calcium : phosphorus
- Phosphorus above calcium (ratio below 1.0) is the risk direction. For male stock on grain, aim for at least 2:1 to limit urinary calculi.
- Source: NASEM (not critical unless above 7:1 or below 1:1); Merck/MSD (at least 2:1 for calculi).
Which feeds carry the most phosphorus
From the cited composition of every feed in our library, as a percentage of dry matter. Useful when the answer is a feed change rather than a mineral product.
| Feed | % of dry matter |
|---|---|
| Canola meal | 1.27% |
| Sunflower meal | 1.1% |
| Wheat bran (broll/pollard) | 1.1% |
| Maize gluten feed | 0.98% |
| Soybean meal | 0.65% |
| Distillers grains (wheat) Wheat distillers grains run 34–40% protein depending on the process and any blending. Check the spec of what you’re actually buying. | 0.6% |
Mineral products, if you're dosing
Dosed in grams per head per day rather than fed by the kilogram — a different decision from changing the diet, so they are listed apart from the feeds.
| Feed | % of dry matter |
|---|---|
| DCP (dicalcium phosphate) | 18% |
Read it for your farm
Build the diet and it works the mineral balance out for you — including the indices below.
These are published reference bands, not a diagnosis. Mineral deficiencies and toxicities are diagnosed from the animal — blood, liver or tissue — not from a pasture test alone, and the treatment rates are veterinary decisions. Talk to your vet before dosing stock.