Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Cobalt Vitamin B12 Welfare

Cobalt deficiency causes vitamin B12 deficiency in sheep, leading to pine disease. Prevention in at-risk areas protects flock welfare.

Key Facts

Sheep cannot synthesize B12 directly - rumen bacteria require cobalt to produce it
Deficiency causes pine disease - ill thrift, wasting, and anaemia
UK soils with pH above 6.5 and sandy or peat soils are highest risk
Cobalt bullets, boluses, and pasture dressing correct deficiency
Clinical disease is difficult to reverse once established - prevention is key

Welfare Considerations

Sheep with cobalt deficiency experience progressive wasting - weight loss, weakness, and poor growth despite adequate pasture intake. Pine disease causes prolonged suffering before death in severe cases. Monitoring soil and animal cobalt status in at-risk areas, combined with targeted supplementation, prevents this entirely avoidable welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Test soil and animal cobalt status in at-risk areas
Implement targeted cobalt supplementation in identified deficient flocks
Monitor lamb growth rates as an early indicator of cobalt deficiency
Work with a sheep vet on cobalt deficiency management in at-risk areas