Willow leaves as a cobalt supplement for weaned lambs

• Willow leaf cobalt concentrations met the requirements for lambs; grass did not. Lambs readily consumed willow leaves. supplemented lambs had significantly higher plasma vitamin B12 concentration. could be used by producers to improve status. Cobalt is an essential trace element in sheep synthesis of rumen support growth and prevent clinical deficiencies (Pine). (Salix spp.) leaves contain a high concentration (∼6 times requirement lambs). The aim this study was determine efficacy supplementary improving status sheep. Weaned (n=24) on ad libitum were randomly allocated one three groups: (offered up 300 g fresh per lamb each day); Drench (2.8mg oral sulphate heptahydrate drench day 0); Control (received no treatment). Plasma evaluated all using blood samples taken days 0 14. Values log transformed prior statistical analysis. At 14 mean (± s.d.) concentrations, 10 scale, 3.00 (±0.155) pmol/L, 2.61 (±0.146) pmol/L 2.55 (±0.214) Willow, Control, respectively. corresponding back means 990 407 351 value treatment than other treatments, which not differ significantly. Supplementary can lambs.