For a year or two our lambs just lack a bit of bloom and I feel they could be doing better. If any members HAVE ACTUALLY tackled an issue like this I`d be interested to know if they started with blood tests, forage samples (i e grass), or soil samples to ascertain the trace element situation. Don`t mind spending money in the right direction!!
Trace Element Status and lamb performance.
- Thread starter Moors Lad
- Start date
BDBed
Member
- Location
- Melton Mowbray
From me experience best place to start is forage sample because you’ll see what’s going into to them. From there you’ll see indications of what’s going on in the soil and if bloods will be needed.
- Location
- Leicestershire
Forage, soil and bloods IMO, need the full picture to make the best decision.
- Location
- West Wales
How much of a bet it’s cobalt? 
- Location
- Mendips Somerset
most issues are cobalt and or selenium in autumn worth getting half dozen bloods not very expensive to be sure .Lambs turn around in a few weeks after treatment
dt995
Member
- Location
- Carmarthenshire
We got Farming Connect funded blood tests done on our generally displeasing sheep this year and found them all very low in cobalt.
dt995
Member
- Location
- Carmarthenshire
We injected them all with B12. Twice, 3 weeks apart, and now they never go without an appropriate bucket or salt lick. Hopefully we'll be more aware if that doesn't seem to be working for any of them in future.
Woolless
Member
- Location
- Berwickshire, Scottish Borders
The advice I got was take samples of spring grass to highlight potential issues. Then follow up with with ewe bloods pre-tupping. Some lamb samples would also be useful, presumably.