Farmers are being urged to pay closer attention to trace element nutrition this winter, with APHA data highlighting selenium and cobalt deficiencies among the most frequently recorded diagnoses in sheep during the autumn and winter months.
The Sheep Disease Surveillance Dashboard shows that between 2015 and 2025, selenium deficiency was the second most frequent diagnosis recorded in sheep submissions between October and December, while cobalt/vitamin B12 deficiency (pine) ranked fourth.
The findings come as SRUC Veterinary Services has issued an autumn warning following multiple cases of pasteurellosis in lambs during October, earlier than the traditional November peak. Alongside risk factors such as transport, handling, stress and high worm burdens, they say cobalt and selenium deficiencies are commonly identified in affected flocks.
Nia Williams, technical livestock manager at Nettex, said the findings highlight the importance of maintaining good trace element nutrition throughout the winter months.
“Trace element deficiencies can have a significant impact on flock health and performance, particularly when animals are under additional pressure from disease, parasites or environmental stress.
“It’s important that farmers consider the nutritional status of their finishing and store lambs, but also make sure ewes are receiving the right balance of trace elements throughout pregnancy to support both their own health and the development of their unborn lambs.”
The final six weeks of pregnancy are particularly important, with around 75% of foetal development taking place during this period. This places additional nutritional demands on the ewe, making it essential to provide a correctly balanced diet supplying sufficient energy, protein and trace elements.
Selenium and vitamin E are particularly important for ewe and lamb health at this stage, with deficiencies potentially contributing to developmental problems, abortions, stillbirths, weak lambs and sub-optimal colostrum quality.
“Understanding the nutritional status of your flock is the starting point,” said Ms Williams. “Rather than taking a blanket approach to supplementation, farmers should blood test a representative sample of the flock to identify any deficiencies and regularly test their forage so they can target supplementation accordingly.
“Paying attention to trace element nutrition now can help support ewe condition and give lambs the best possible start.”
