Farm Animals

Sheep Trace Element Deficiency Diagnosis

Trace element deficiencies including selenium, copper, cobalt, and iodine cause significant welfare problems in sheep that can be prevented through systematic testing and targeted supplementation.

Key Facts

Multiple trace element deficiencies often occur simultaneously in at-risk flocks
Blood and liver sampling are the most reliable methods for diagnosing deficiency
Soil type, forage quality, and previous supplementation history all affect requirements
Over-supplementation of copper causes toxicity, particularly in sheep fed cattle feeds
Whole-blood selenium measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy is the gold standard test

Welfare Considerations

Trace element deficiencies cause preventable disease and death. Systematic testing and targeted supplementation based on evidence is more effective and safer than routine supplementation.

What You Can Do

Test blood selenium, copper, cobalt, and iodine status in at-risk flocks
Work with a nutritionist to design targeted supplementation based on test results
Avoid supplementing copper without testing as toxicity in sheep is a real risk
Test at-risk ewes before tupping and before lambing as minimum monitoring points