Getting lambs to target weight and finished as quickly as possible with minimal supplementary feeding is a goal that will resonate with every sheep farmer. Among all the factors governing the conversion of grass into meat, cobalt is one of the most critical. The question is, which lamb supplements are most precise, effective and easy?
Why a cobalt deficiency points to lamb supplements
Cobalt levels in grass are deficient in many parts of the UK and Ireland. This is especially prevalent in the spring when grass growth is more vigorous, effectively diluting the trace element levels in the grass.
While lambs are suckling, milk supplies their cobalt requirement in full, provided the ewe has sufficient levels in her system. However, when they are weaned, they can be exposed to a cobalt deficiency risk.
Cobalt deficiency signs in lambs:
- Poor appetite
- Poor immunity
- Slow growth
- Weakness
- Anaemia
- Emaciation
Vitamin B12 is vital for energy metabolism, protein synthesis and red blood cells production. But without sufficient cobalt in the diet, the ruminant can’t synthesise (process) them. In fact, as long as animals have access to sufficient cobalt and their rumen function is good, ruminants can make most of the b-vitamins they require – B1 and B12 to name a couple. B-vitamin supplementation on its own is, at best, a placebo.
Which lamb supplements are best?
The major difference between feeding, drenching and bolusing is the period of cover. Feeding obviously requires a daily intake, whereas drenching and bolusing offers supplementation for a longer period. On average, drenches last for around 6 weeks, whereas most boluses last for around 6 months.
Feed is great when the other nutrients – particularly energy and protein – are lacking in the diet. But if a system is able to solely rely on grass and/or forage for this, trace element supplementation via drenching or bolusing could be more suitable and cost-effective.
ANIMAX Tracesure boluses lead the charge on precision. The patented diffusion technology featured means that the release is assured for a 6-month period without any concerns as to whether a lamb is consuming enough. The bolus also retains the same mass and size, minimising the risk of premature passing. And finally, the the bolus is more trace element dense, meaning it’s smaller in size compared to many other boluses, making it easier to applicate particularly in smaller breeds.
ANIMAX Tracesure boluses also offer an effective cobalt in the form of cobalt sulfate that is available in the rumen, and therefore absorbed the the lamb. Many supplements are cobalt carbonate, which is the opposite.
ANIMAX Tracesure Sheep offers store lambs weighing 20kg or more with enough trace elements for up to 6 months. For this reason, ANIMAX Tracesure Lamb is no longer manufactured.
