• Giving cobalt to the animal di- 



rectly. 



• Adding cobalt to salt. 



• Applying cobalt to pasture soils. 



• Increasing the proportion of 



legumes in the forage. 



If yon use either of the first two 

 methods, ask a veterinarian or a 

 druggist to prepare the proper co- 

 balt solution for yon. Because the 

 quantities needed are so small, it is 

 generally not practical to prepare 

 home mixtures containing cobalt. 



A convenient solution to nse con- 

 sists of 4 grams of cobalt snlf ate 1 

 (which contains about 20 percent 

 of cobalt) dissolved in 1 gallon of 

 water. One teaspoonfnl of this so- 

 lution will supply the daily needs 

 of a 1, 000-pound cow or ten 100- 

 pouncl sheep. 



This solution can be given to the 

 animal directly in a drench or it 

 can be mixed with the feed. Con- 

 tinue the treatment for at least 2 

 weeks. If cobalt deficiency has 

 been causing the animal's lack of 

 appetite, you should notice a dis- 

 tinct improvement in 2 weeks. If 

 the animal does not improve after 

 a month of treatment, it is doubt- 

 ful if a cobalt deficiency exists. 



Cobalt can also be added to salt. 

 About 25 grams of cobalt sulfate 

 mixed thoroughly with 100 pounds 



'Cobalt sulfate=CoS(WH,>0. 



of salt will supply the needs of 

 either cattle or sheep. However, 

 the simplest method to correct the 

 deficiency is to supply a mineral- 

 ized salt containing cobalt. Sev- 

 eral such mixtures are available. 



Do not feed too much cobalt. 

 Feeding more than the quantities 

 recommended may produce toxic 

 effects. 



Other sources of cobalt available 

 commercially include large pellets 

 of cobalt oxide. It is claimed that 

 these pellets, when given to cattle, 

 will remain in the rumen for 4 to 

 7 months and will provide adequate 

 daily amounts of cobalt. Consult 

 your veterinarian about their use. 



Cobalt deficiency in soil has been 

 corrected by mixing cobalt salts 

 with superphosphate or sand and 

 spreading the mixture over pas- 

 tures. In Florida, some experi- 

 ments have been made in spreading 

 ■a salt of cobalt by airplane. At 

 present, however, applying cobalt 

 to the soil does not appear to be 

 practicable. 



Increasing the proportion of al- 

 falfa and clover in forages should 

 supply the cobalt needs of rumi- 

 nant animals except in the most 

 critical areas of cobalt deficiency. 

 Severe deficiencies may require 

 treating the animals as well as im- 

 proving forage and hay quality. 



.S. GOVERNMENT PRI 



IG OFFICE: 1961 



