Failure to obtain a weight gain response to vitamin B12 treatment in young goats grazing pasture that was cobalt deficient for sheep

Abstract

Extract

Madam: —The current upsurge in the farming of goats has resulted in an increased interest in trace elements in this species. In some areas goats are being farmed on soil types known to be marginally or moderately cobalt deficient for sheep. The susceptibility of goats to cobalt deficiency is not well documented. In one study cobalt deficiency was induced in East African shorthorn goats, one to two years old, which were fed for 15 weeks on a diet with a cobalt content of less than 0.01 mg/kg DM. ⁽⁶⁾ The deficient ranges for sheep and cattle diets are <0.08 mg/kg DM and <0.04 mg/kg DM respectively. ⁽²⁾