The effects of levamisole treatments and cobalt bullet therapy on the performance of yearling beef cattle in south-east Queensland

Abstract

The effect of levamisole treatment every 3-4 weeks, cobalt therapy, or both, on the performance of yearling cattle grazing together on known cobalt-deficient pastures on a siliceous sandy soil in south-eastern Queensland was studied between August 1978 and October 1979. In the first stage of the observations, from August to March, the responses (Pc0.05) in liveweight gain compared with the controls (C) were 18, 54 and 75 kg for levamisole (L), cobalt bullets (B), and both (LB) respectively. Thus the responses were additive with no interaction. Deaths were recorded in the control and levamisole only groups in March. Steers in the levarnisole only group were treated with cobalt in March (L + B). Liveweight gains between March and October were 9, 71,47 and 41 kg for C, L + B, B and LB groups, respectively (L + B > B, LB > C, P< 0.05). Cobalt therapy increased faecal worm egg counts in undrenched groups between November and April (P<0.05). At 30 weeks after the start of the study many animals in groups C, L and B were anaemic. Cobalt concentrations in green panic ranged from 0.015 to 0.029 �g/g dry matter and in Siratro from 0.036 to 0.048 �g/g dry matter.

Mineral disorders in grazing livestock and the usefulness of soil and plant analysis in the assessment of these disorders

“…Trace element deficiencies found or suspected of limiting livestock productivity in northern Australia include Cu deficiency over extensive areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory (Gartner et al 1980;Murphy et al 1981;Wesley-Smith and Schlink 1990), Co deficiency along the coastal areas of Queensland (Nicol et al 1983;Rosbrook et al 1992) and in restricted areas of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales (Duncan et al 1986), Se deficiency in the central and coastal areas of Queensland (K. McGuigan pers. comm.)…”

Absence of a weight gain response to vitamin B12supplementation in weaned beef cattle grazing pastures of marginal cobalt content

“…In a review, Gardiner (1977) stated that "although not yet clear cut, a plasma level of B12 of about 150 pg/ml (110 pmolilitre) may be expected to be associated with noticeable deficiency signs in cattle, and around 100 pg/ml (74 pmolilitre) with frank deficiency". Nicol et al (1983) reported mean serum vitamin B 12 levels of 10 and 19 pmolilitre in untreated cattle during a period of growth response to cobalt supplementation. However, Reid & McQueen (1985) reported no responses at serum concentrations of 61-70 pmolilitre, whereas McPherson (1981) noted serum vitamin B12 concentrations as low as 37 pmolilitre without evidence of a growth response to supplementation.…”