Farm Animals

Sheep Cobalt Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Cobalt deficiency causing Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to pine (wasting disease) in sheep, causing weight loss, weakness, and death in animals on cobalt-deficient soils.

Key Facts

Cobalt is required for rumen microbes to synthesise Vitamin B12
Pine affects sheep on certain soil types particularly those with high pH
Affected animals show weight loss, weakness, anaemia, and a blank expression
Cobalt supplementation through drenching, boluses, or fertiliser prevents disease
Diagnosis requires blood or liver cobalt or Vitamin B12 measurement

Welfare Considerations

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes prolonged wasting and death. It is entirely preventable through targeted supplementation where soil cobalt is deficient.

What You Can Do

Test soil cobalt levels on farms with suspected pine problems
Supplement at-risk sheep flocks with cobalt drenches or slow-release boluses
Monitor body condition and growth rates as indicators of trace element status
Work with your vet and adviser to develop a targeted trace element supplementation programme