Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Cobalt and Vitamin B12 Welfare

Cobalt deficiency causing vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant welfare problem in sheep in cobalt-deficient areas, causing wasting disease and neurological signs.

Key Facts

Cobalt is essential for ruminal microorganisms to synthesise vitamin B12
Deficiency causes pine disease with wasting, anaemia, and neurological signs in lambs
Areas of cobalt-deficient soil in the UK include parts of Scotland, Wales, and northern England
Prophylactic cobalt supplementation prevents deficiency in at-risk flocks
Blood and liver cobalt testing identifies subclinical deficiency before clinical signs develop

Welfare Considerations

Cobalt deficiency causes progressive wasting, weakness, and neurological signs causing significant suffering in affected lambs. Prevention through strategic supplementation in known deficient areas is simple and cost-effective, making clinical cobalt deficiency an entirely preventable welfare problem.

What You Can Do

Test soil and blood cobalt status on farms with suspected deficiency history
Implement cobalt supplementation programmes for at-risk flocks in deficient areas
Work with your vet to design appropriate supplementation timing and method