Vitamin B and copper supplementation in beef calves

Bodyweight responses to subcutaneous injections of vitamin B12 and copper were investigated using Hereford calves in the southeast of South Australia, an area known to produce cobalt and copper deficient sheep. Calves were allocated to one of four groups: control; copper; vitamin B12; copper plus vitamin B12. Responses in bodyweight gain to vitamin B12, and to copper were obtained during the trial of one year. The results of biochemical analysis of blood, hair and faeces from calves and of dam's milk are reported. It is concluded that calves raised on cobalt-deficient pastures will require cobalt or vitamin B12 supplementation prior to weaning.