Types

• There are several forms of selenium found in the soil: selenate, selenite, elemental and organic selenium. Plants easily absorb selenate and selenite.
  
  

Identification

• Samples from a local, natural water source will tell you how much selenium is available. There are also indicator plants such as milk vetch, woody aster, salt bush and goldenweed.
  
  

Function

• The main function of selenium in the body is to keep cell membranes and proteins safe from chemicals created during metabolism.
  
  

Significance

• Without sufficient amounts of selenium in the body livestock will fail to thrive, be infertile, develop white muscle disease and have compromised immune systems.
  
  

Warning

• Selenosis, selenium toxicity, is lethal in livestock. You will need to monitor the daily total intake of selenium to avoid toxic levels.