COBALT DEFICIENCY THREATENS LAMB VIGOUR
Sheep farmers targeting a trouble-free lambing in 2027 should be mindful of cobalt as one of a number of key minerals where deficiencies can inflict often unseen constraints on performance. According to Rumenco’s Technical Services Manager Dr Alison Bond, the complex and variable nature of cobalt levels in grassland soils makes its status hard to track, with environmental factors such as heavy rainfall, and high or low soil pH, affecting availability. She recommends routine soil and forage testing, to ascertain levels of cobalt and other essential minerals and trace elements, as an important base level action, along with adequate supplementation of ewes, particularly in the lead up to tupping, where there are any doubts over availability. “Whilst the situation with many of the important minerals is relatively easy to ascertain, cobalt is more difficult because levels can vary quite significantly on any given site,” she explains. “This may be due to changes in soil pH, perhaps due to liming for example, shifts in the soil organic matter content, or excessive cropping. Factors such as heavy rainfall, or severe flooding, can also cause a change in the soil cobalt status. “Cobalt is particularly important as it is required in the synthesis of vitamin B12 by rumen microorganisms. Where vitamin B12 is deficient, sheep can suffer poor growth rates, weight loss and anaemia.”
Dr Bond also highlights some significant independent research, carried out by the SAC, that links sub-optimal cobalt status to less vigorous lamb behaviour in the first few days of life. The research measured overall lamb activity, exploration and how regularly they nosed the ewe in the first three days; all important indications of colostrum intake and longer term viability. “This work shows very clearly that lambs born from ewes with sub-clinical cobalt deficiency, which is typically without symptoms and goes unnoticed, had lower levels of activity, less exploration, and fewer instances of nosing. The ewes in the control group, with adequate cobalt status, produced lambs that were far more active, seeking the teat more regularly and with greater success. “In this instance, cobalt was making the difference between what many would see as trouble-free lambing, with good results going forward, and a problematic situation with lambs less likely to thrive.”
With tupping getting closer, Dr Bond recommends supplementation of ewes up to and beyond tupping, where there is any doubt at all about cobalt status. “Well formulated feed blocks or mineral buckets are a good option for sheep farms where some form of supplementation is required,” she adds, “depending on the particular requirements of the flock.
“Where no additional energy is required, I recommend Rumenco’s Supalyx 4-in-1 mineral, vitamin and trace element bucket. It is an ideal supplement for tupping time, providing an optimum balance of key nutrients to balance any deficiencies in grazing or conserved forages.
“Most notably for those with concerns about cobalt, it contains vitamin B12, along with other important nutrients.”
Where additional energy is also required in the diet, Dr Bond points to Rumevite Sheep Super feed block. Alongside energy, protein and fish oil, this also offers a balanced supply of minerals, trace elements and vitamins to supplement what may be missing from forages. .
“Feed blocks and buckets also offer convenience and put very little strain on labour resources,” Dr Bond adds, “and in the case of Rumenco’s products, the formulations have been thoroughly researched and proven to deliver tangible benefits to farmers.”
In conclusion, Dr Bond references recent weather extremes, which are affecting mineral levels and their availability, and urges more regular testing of soils and forages.
“In the last two years alone, we have seen excessive rainfall and extensive flooding, which has increased the amount of nutrient leaching from soils,” she says. “We know from the results of forage sampling on a national scale that this is having an impact on mineral and trace element availability, and not just for important minerals like cobalt.
“More regular forage analysis is advisable, in many cases, to identify any gaps in nutrient availability and ensure adequate supplementation is provided.
“With the unprecedented weather events that we’re increasingly seeing, it is far safer to increase testing than to assume grazing and forage quality remains the same.”
Source: industry press release.