Consider copper supplements with care this winter

Livestock producers should carefully consider their options when looking to feed supplements this winter – rather than relying on them as a catch-all.

Lack of sunshine and lots of rain this season have affected mineral and trace element levels available for plant uptake – and overall forage and grazing quality too, says Emily Hall, of nutrition specialists Nettex.

“Mineral deficiencies are a potential problem this year because of soil leaching caused by flooding and poor weather earlier in the year. Copper deficiency, in particular, can lead to swayback and therefore poor performance in lambs and ewes.”

To help fill the void, a mineral drench or bolus is recommended. But Mrs Hall recommends that farmers discuss with their vet the best way to determine the copper status of their flock before supplementing with copper.

“This could involve blood testing, forage analysis or liver tissue copper analysis to establish whether a copper-containing supplement is required,” she says.

No trend

Some regions are at a higher risk of copper deficiency, according to soil and forage samples taken from across the UK. But Shane Brewer of analysts Eurofins has received thousands of samples and says there is no obvious trend.

 “We have seen huge fluctuations in soil mineral levels which have directly impacted forage quality. Some areas may have suffered significant leaching, and livestock in these areas will be at risk of deficiency this season.”

Accurate soil and forage analysis is recommended to help establish if a supplement could be beneficial to flock health – and if so, which one.

A mineral bolus, for example, offers a daily trace element released over a long period. Usually ideal for extensive grazing animals, it may be a concern for livestock with access to other copper supplements such as concentrate, blocks or a lick buckets.

Alternatively, a drench will work over a much shorter time period – and may therefore be beneficial for short at-risk periods. Mrs Hall says this means it is sensible to consider both a drench and a bolus.

High levels of heavy metals such as molybdenum and sulphur in forage can reduce the availability of dietary copper. Clinical signs of an imbalance may include poor growth, infertility and lameness.

Toxic

“Inaccurate supplementation is wasteful and potentially harmful, with minerals such as copper being toxic when over supplied,” says Mrs Hall.

“We recommend farmers work closely with nutritionists and vets to ascertain what deficiencies need to be rectified and then choose a bolus or drench to reduce the threat to lamb and ewe health.

“We suggest a mineral audit in a flock prior to introducing tups so that the use of a copper-containing drench or bolus can be administered at the correct time to benefit both ewe and lamb health.”