Copper Deficiency in Livestock

All livestock's require in trace element, copper. It is important for the growth of wool and bones, and the function of white blood cell.

A country like Western Australia for instance, do not often have a case of naturally occurring copper, and this is because most of their farmers have applied sufficient copper in form of fertilizer to their land in order to ensure an adequate supply for grazing livestock.

Source

Recently however, there has been an increase in the liming of properties which may result in the increase of copper deficiency.

As the soil PH rises, so does the molybdenum too released from the soil, creating a higher level of it. A situation of excessive molybdenum in the diet of the animal creates a formation of thiomolybdates.

This could then, react with a copper-containing enzyme in the bloodstream , therefore creating signs and symptoms that are the same as primary copper deficiency.

During good winter rain, the concentration of copper in pasture is reduced making sheep and cattle at most risk during late winter and spring.

In actual sense, when a diet contains low amount of copper, or when copper absorption or metabolism is adversely affected, is when we have a case of copper deficiency.

When there is insufficient provision of copper made available to the tissue in form of essential metalloenzymes, there is a created sign of copper deficiency.

Clinical signs of insufficient copper in the body of an animal include; reduced weight gain, diarrhea, anemia, reduced wool quality, unthrifty appearance, lameness, spontaneous fracture, demyelinization, and changes in coat's color.

Animals affected by copper deficiency are, buffalo, deer, camels, ruminants, goats, cattle, and sheep.

Source

Copper deficiency can affect any animal, but some animals are more at risk;

Animals who are lactating, pregnant, and growing sheep or cattle.
Cattles are more susceptible than sheep to copper deficiency.
Newborn or young lambs.
Sheep and cattle that have been grazed at excessive stocking rates.
Cattle with great worm infestations.

Source

Copper deficiency can be prevented but it requires an intentional effort to get it done.
The application of fertilizers on grazed soil is a good way to prevent copper deficiency. But, in a case where excessive molybdenum has been applied, extra fertilizer may not be able to correct a situation of copper deficiency , in this case, copper will have to be given directly to the animal affected.

Copper can also be provided through a slow-release of intraruminal boluses., usually in combination with cobalt and selenium.
This administration can last for as long as three years in sheep and one year in cattle.

Copper compounds can be injected under the skin, and the injection can correct a deficiency. But this injection must be repeated every 4-6 hours. This method is more expensive and inconvenient, so it's better to take the other routes of prevention than going with this one.

Copper sulphate can also be given through drinking water, but this option is not usually advisable as the measured amount cannot be controlled.

Farmers must obtain an adequate diagnosis about the copper level of their animal before proceeding to give them more copper intake. This is because, excessive copper intake could be really dangerous.