The importance of trace elements for lambs:
Cobalt: Important for production of vitamin B12 by rumen micro-organisms which is used for extracting energy from feed and optimising growth, weight gain and vitality.
Selenium: Vital for muscle development and the function of the immune system.
Iodine: Vital for the development of the thyroid gland and production of thyroid hormones which are involved in controlling metabolic rate and therefore growth. Especially important in cold weather or when brassica crops are fed because iodine requirement increases.
The correct trace element supplementation gives a 38% increase in weight gain in deficient upland lambs*
Following a trial by the University Of Glasgow School Of Veterinary Medicine, lambs supplemented with lamb boluses achieved an increased daily live weight gain of 49g per day when compared with un-supplemented lambs.
The mean daily live weight gain of lambs supplemented with lamb boluses (179g per day) and the unsupplemented lambs (130g per day) groups as shown in the graph. Supplementation was associated with increased post supplement DLWG of 49g per day when compared with un-supplemented lambs.
Average DLWG (grams per day) from 795 lambs from a hill farm in eastern Scotland, supplemented or not supplemented. Data was taken from the time of bolus supplementation until the final weighing of each lamb.
Essential Lamb:
Specially formulated for lambs over 25kg with a fully developed rumen and provides sustained release of trace elements for 4 months. It meets the needs of all classes of modern lambs by giving a daily supply of the trace elements we most commonly see shortfalls in.
Use:
- At weaning
- In-Store Lambs / Over-Wintered Stock
- In Ewe Replacement Lambs
For further information contact your local territory manager.
* ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TRACE ELEMENT BOLUS SUPPLEMENTATION ON LAMB GROWTH RATES ON A SCOTTISH HILL FARM. Kim Hamer, Hannah Mylin, Katharine Denholm. University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, Scotland, G61 1QH http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001099