Cobalt Deficiency May Be Root Of Stock Troubles

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1938, Page 8

Cobalt Deficiency May Be Root Of Stock Troubles

Possible deficiency of the element of Cobalt in Northland pastures is forming the basis of research work instigated by Dr. J. F. Filmer, veterinary research officer to the Department of Agriculture. Dr. Filmer recently visited the North to investigate nutritional troubles in stock.

In recent years it has been found that the presence, in minute quantities, of various elements in stock feed is necessary to maintain the animals in good condition. Cobalt is one of these elements which has been given prominence, but it is quite likely that others ,at present not known are involved in the question.

The classic example of “bush sickness,” as investigated by Mr. Aston, was for a long time considered to be due to an iron deficiency, but recent research has shown that the element lacking in New Zealand “bush sick” country is cobalt.

In Northland,' there are areas where stock, for reasons not yet fully ascertained, do not flourish as well as they should, and experiments are now being performed by the Department of Agriculture to determine whether the use of cobalt will be of benefit l in these localities. Farmers whose stock is not doing well under conditions where good results could be expected, are advised to communicate with the department with a vieW to having the position investigated.

Cobalt has. in the past been provided for stock in the form of licks, but part of Dr. Filmer’s experiments in the North are being carried out in connection with pastures, to see if topdressing with manures to which cobalt has been added will lead to an increase of cobalt-content in the actual grass.

Indications of cobalt deficiency are by no means wide-spread in Northland, but are sufficient to justify investigation. the attention of the department being focussed mainly on the Kerikeri district. “Bush sickness” has been most noticeable in the King Country and Rotorua districts of the Dominion.