Cobalt deficiency - thoughts?

[Ferguson K]

In theory I'm sure that would work.

I don't like blocks. I usually crush them up real good... well my husband does.

I'm allergic to iodine which is a huge component in most mineral blocks.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

Great point @Ferguson K

I really like a mineral analysis done every other year on a % of the goats for this reason.

We have high iron which causes it's own set of issues

This site has a great chart on pg 4- It shows the interaction of minerals! Very cool! Pg 5 on explains what each mineral does! Also gives what is required!
http://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/animals-forages/docs/ANSC_GSEnews_may_june2011.pdf

Really good articles!

 

[Southern by choice]

@Southern by choice they have Cu by itself. They say that copper works with iron but the mix doesn't include iron. The selenium and trace minerals mix does not include iron either.
https://www.abcplus.biz/categories17.aspx?Id=Organic_Beef_Minerals_Cu-Mix


The Manna Pro minerals do not have added iron, neither does the SweetLix

Calcium, Min 7.50%
Calcium, Max 9.00%
Phosphorus, Min 8.00%
Salt, Min 10.00%
Salt, Max 12.00%
Magnesium, Min 4.50%
Cobalt, Min 240 ppm
Copper, Min 1,750 ppm
Copper, Max 1,810 ppm
Iodine, Min 450 ppm
Manganese, Min 1.25%
Selenium, Min 50 ppm
Zinc, Min 1.25%
Vitamin A, Min 300,000 IU/lb
Vitamin D-3, Min 30,000 IU/lb
Vitamin E, Min 400 IU/lb

FERROUS SULFATE, FERROUS CARBONATE, are listed- they are both Iron sources

 

[ragdollcatlady]

The selenium and trace minerals mix does not include iron either.
https://www.abcplus.biz/categories17.aspx?Id=Organic_Beef_Minerals_Cu-Mix

I was just going to say that Ferrous sulfate listed in that product provides a source of iron.... you beat me to it @Southern by choice

 

[Ferguson K]

I really like the picture of what minerals correlate in that article. Really gets you thinking.

 

[Southern by choice]

I was just going to say that Ferrous sulfate listed in that product provides a source of iron.... you beat me to it @Southern by choice

LOL Yeah I learned to read all ingredients not just the values chart because we are so ridiculous in iron.... and like a dolt I wasn't reading it and one of my vet's said, "did you read the bag?"

no

 

[Ferguson K]

My one regular vet, who knows a few of our goats by name, will be unhappy if this fixes all my problems.


I started really reading bags and researching a few months ago. I was surprised at how "complete" my feed already was and how badly I was breaking down minerals by supplementing with alfalfa pellets and beet pulp. Really throws off the values.

I should know better on percentages. I studied poultry nutrition heavily and knife how badly little things can throw them out.

Goats are worse. Metabolism so fast two days can cause so much loss .

About a month ago, maybe longer ( @samssimonsays may remember ? ) I added lose salt to the mineral bins. The goats have eaten 20+lbs to date. That's just SALT. The loose minerals they tend to ignore, but they really enjoy their molasses mineral buckets. Poppy especially, she's usually stained from it.

We have a new hay source for alfalfa, higher density and more palatable. The goats waste less. The juniors have free access, but only my milkers have access to it otherwise.

Yet we were still seeing goats looking terrible. Full coats lost, fish tails, anemia, you name it. I changed diets two times in the last three months, saw no change. Put out an iron block all crushed up and about 50lbs worth gone within days. Bought anither, lasting a little longer now.

Zinnia ate a full 3lbs of grain tonight. I've struggled to get her to eat 1lbs worth for two months. It's funny how quick a correct diet plan and finding the deficiency can change them. Karma, a normally plump goat, has even improved.

Of course the boer girls look the same to me. Big, fat, sassy.

 

[Southern by choice]

This is great stuff ! I didn't realize Cobalt had such a big impact.
I knew B-12's would increase appetite and always keep Rx on hand.
This is pretty interesting.

We are at the top of the charts in iron.
It can really cause issues as it can bind the other minerals.
Also the top of the chart in Sodium, Manganese, Titanium, Aluminum, Copper,

Great levels for Calcium
Lower end on Phosphorus
Middle for Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium

As far as NC goes we are in a GREAT County for forage based goats!
Just that iron causes issues.

I guess that is why the goats are always so healthy and robust during the forage months. Winter is tough because everything is dormant here.

 

[babsbag]

So why do the bags not list iron on the mineral analysis? That is a little misleading.

@Ferguson K My goats used to ignore the loose minerals, until I changed brands. They LOVE the sweetlix and my herd of 40 go through a 20 lb bag in a few days.

 

[Ferguson K]

@babsbag I have thought about changing brands, but the manna pro is all I can ever seem to find. If I could find another brand they could have shipped to me, then I would do that. Right now we've got about ten pounds left, so they're going to have to deal with it.