Copper supplementation of drinking water for cattle grazing molybdenum-rich pastures

A field trial was carried out with young cattle grazing molybdenum-rich pastures to test the efficacy of supplying copper salts in drinking water. One group was given two copper injections and 1.8 kg barley supplemented with 125 mg/kg copper, while the other received drinking water containing 2 to 3 mg/litre copper as copper sulphate supplied by means of a proportioner. The results demonstrated that this low concentration of copper in the water was effective in maintaining normal blood levels and in preventing scouring and subsequent loss of condition. The proportioner was capable of finely controlling the level of copper added to the water.