Cobalt & vitamin B12
Energy for Life
Cobalt is essential for the production of vitamin B12 which has one atom of cobalt at its centre. In ruminants vitamin B12 is synthesised by gut bacteria but only if cobalt is available for this production.
Vitamin B12 is essential in the synthesis of proteins and for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and therefore has an effect on cells for normal functions and on the growth and division of cells.
In ruminants B12 is essential in the conversion of the rumen volatile fatty acid, propionic acid, into glucose. A deficiency of B12 can thus cut this important metabolic pathway for getting energy to cells. Ruminants rely on the conversion of propionic acid to glucose for 70% of their energy requirements.
Under deficient conditions, calves and lambs appear to grow normally for a few months as they draw on stored B12 , but soon exhibit gradual loss of appetite and failure to grow, followed by anaemia, rapid weight loss and finally death. In lambs the first signs often appear soon after weaning.
Marginally deficient pastures can result in the birth of weak lambs and calves that are slow to get going and which don’t survive long.
Supplementation
Whilst short term treatment can take the form of a vitamin B12 injection, in the longer term the best solution is to provide supplemental cobalt to the rumen where the bacteria can use it to manufacture B12. The bacteria manufacture B12 on a continuous basis so it makes sense to provide them with cobalt on the same basis. Cosecure and Zincosel provide a constant supplementation of cobalt and other trace elements to the rumen for four to eight months.