Lack of an essential trace element can compromise flock health and performance.
The versatile nature of the mule sheep places it in a healthy
position in the UK sheep industry. Capable of
performing successfully in both extensive and intensive systems, mules
should keep their prominent role in commercial lamb-producing flocks.
Improved animal health will play a key part of the success.
Sheep are particularly susceptible to mineral deficiencies
due to the long periods they spend out at grass.
Farmers need to be aware and that many UK pastures are deficient in cobalt.
A cobalt deficiency in sheep impacts negatively on growth,
fertility and impairs immune function. Often the
clinical signs that farmers observe are simply ill-thriftiness and a lustreless
fleece, so farmers need to be
vigilant.
The associated mortality rates from cobalt deficiency are approximately 20%. However, each clinical case brings costs to the farmer.
There are a range of mineral supplements on the market, but a mineral bolus can be the most effective in the long-term.
"Although mineral licks and dressings are sometimes preferred, only by supplementing each animal individually can farmers be certain that their sheep receive sufficient cobalt” explains Les Stappard from Cox Agri.
"Easy to administer Rumetrace™ cobalt pellets from Cox Agri, provide a daily release of cobalt to every treated animal for up to a year,” informs Mr Stappard.
"Mineral deficiencies, and particularly cobalt deficiencies,
should form part of any flock health plan. Prevention is better than cure
and this is indeed the case for today’s sheep farmers,” Mr
Stappard concludes.
October 2005
For further information please contact: Gemma Fitzpatrick,
Pharo Communications, Tel: 02476 696721 or
e-mail: gemmafitzpatrick@pharoweb.co.uk
