Sheep cobalt deficiency in Central Otago

Authors: Clark RG, Dodd DM, Bishop RF, Walker GA, Mulvaney CJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 44, Issue 1, pp 37-38, Feb 1996
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Cobalt/vitamin B12, Trace elements, Diet/rations/food, Disease surveillance, Nutrition/metabolism, Soil/sand, Vitamins
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Historically, Central Otago has been considered an area where cobalt deficiency in sheep is rarely diagnosed. In recent years, liver Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations in the responsive (less than 282 nmol/kg) and marginal (282-375 nmol/kg) ranges have been noted. To determine on what soil groups these cases were occurring, farms where marginal or responsive liver Vitamin B₁₂ concentrations occurred were identified and plotted on a soil map. This information was from the Roxburgh, Alexandra, Omakau, Poolburn, Ranfurly, Cromwell, Wanaka and Tarras areas. Only laboratory cases in which three or more liver samples were submitted for analysis were used in this study. The mean liver Vitamin B₁₂ concentration and lower and upper concentrations are detailed…

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