SBC/GW's Journal- Spring shows DONE! & Update

[misfitmorgan]

Love the picture, she does sound like quite the character!

 

[Goat Whisperer]

A few weeks ago we talked with the manager of our local TSC about ordering some cobalt blocks.

It's been two days. They ordered 40 blocks.

We got a couple for us and a couple for some friends. (After we took some)

This is from last night.

Stopped by today to grab two blocks for another friend

Looks like TSC found a new product to carry.

 

[Southern by choice]

Went to see some great friends today and also went to see a house and property.
Had the best time with our friends!
The house/property? One word...

PERFECT!

We will see what comes of it. Love it though!

 

[babsbag]

Can't wait to hear about the house.

 

[Hens and Roos]

@Goat Whisperer could you explain as to why you are adding Cobalt blocks? Did some reading about Cobalt deficiency- did you blood test your goats to find out their levels?

 

[Southern by choice]

@Goat Whisperer could you explain as to why you are adding Cobalt blocks? Did some reading about Cobalt deficiency- did you blood test your goats to find out their levels?

I know you tagged GW but I thought I'd chime in... we are working on writing up something... we have been looking into cobalt for about two years. We will be sharing soon.

 

[Hens and Roos]

it will be interesting to see what you share as there seems to be many different thoughts on it.

 

[Southern by choice]

it will be interesting to see what you share as there seems to be many different thoughts on it.

What have you heard?

 

[Hens and Roos]

The brief article I was reading(found on GoatWorld) about Cobalt in Ruminant Nutrition was talking about the findings that cobalt was recognized as essential for vitamin B12 synthesis and a deficiency in ruminants leads to a vitamin B12 deficiency. Also that cobalt may improve fiber digestion in the rumen independent of it's role as part of vitamin B12. (This article was from 1999 and some of the other articles from 2007 but sites research from the late 80's)

Some of the articles are using sheep data because they didn't have goat data at the time of publication.

I am still reading other articles regarding trace minerals and learning about their importance to a goats diet.

 

[Southern by choice]

We have been compiling info for some time we also have some "real" case examples.

BTW- I believe all 40 Cobalt blocks are gone from TSC.... the majority were gone in 2 days, 4 days later they are gone (to my knowledge)
We had posted on our personal FB pages and it kinda went crazy from there. Now other people are talking with their local feedstoreplaces and getting them on board.

The thing I find very interesting is the number of health issue related to the deficiency... and how varied the evidence of deficiency can be from goat to goat.