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Guide: Addressing trace element deficiency in livestock
© Bimeda Trace elements are essential minerals required in only small amounts, but they play a huge role in the health, growth, fertility, and performance of sheep and cattle. Despite their tiny presence in the diet, deficiencies in these nutrients can result in reduced productivity, increased disease susceptibility, and reproductive challenges. Simply put — livestock can’t perform at their best without them.
The key trace elements for ruminants include copper, selenium, cobalt, and iodine. Each supports critical functions such as metabolism, immune response, and growth.
However, the availability of these minerals can vary dramatically from farm to farm, depending on several natural and environmental factors, including:
- Soil type – Some soils are naturally low in trace minerals.
- Water source – Mineral content can vary, and water may also contain antagonists.
- Dietary antagonists – Elements like iron, sulphur, or molybdenum can block mineral absorption.
- Geographic region – Certain areas of the UK are more prone to specific trace element deficiencies.
- Seasonality – Extremely wet or dry weather can affect mineral uptake from forage.
Understanding these variables is the first step toward effective trace element management — and healthier, more productive livestock.
What to look for
Trace element deficiencies are often sub clinical in nature, making them hard to identify.
The table below details some of the symptoms commonly associated with a deficiency of each trace element.
Common signs of trace element deficiency |
||
|
Trace Element |
Cattle Symptoms |
Sheep Symptoms |
|
Copper (Cu) |
– Poor coat condition (light, dull, or “spectacle eyes”) |
– “Steely wool” (wool loses crimp and becomes harsh) |
|
Cobalt (Co) |
– Poor appetite – Scaly/scabbing skin as the base of the ear |
– “Pine” (loss of appetite, poor thrift) – Scaly/scabbing skin as the base of the ear |
|
Selenium (Se) |
– White muscle disease particularly in calves (stiffness, weakness) |
– White muscle disease particularly in lambs (stiffness, weakness) – Poor growth |
|
Iodine (I) |
– Stillbirths |
– Stillbirths |
What to do
Diagnosing a trace element deficiency
Because signs of trace element deficiency are often subtle or easily confused with other health issues, regular monitoring through testing and targeted supplementation is essential to maintaining optimal animal health and productivity.
To accurately diagnose a deficiency, it is generally recommended to blood test a minimum of six animals per group, alongside a forage mineral analysis—provided the forage tested makes up the majority of the animals’ dry matter intake. Your veterinarian can advise on the most appropriate diagnostic methods based on your farm’s specific conditions and risks.
© Bimeda
Below is a summary of the most common methods used to assess trace element status in livestock, including both animal testing and dietary analysis.
Most common methods used to assess trace element status in livestock |
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|
Method |
What It Tests |
Comments |
|
Water Testing |
Mineral content of drinking water |
– Helps detect antagonists (e.g., high iron, sulphur) that impair mineral absorption |
|
Forage Testing |
Trace element levels in grass/silage/hay |
– Identifies what trace elements animals are consuming (remember to account for other dietary inputs) |
|
Blood Testing |
Current/previous trace element status (historic status dependent upon mineral tested e.g., Se) |
– Useful for herd/flock screening – Copper levels may not reflect true stores in the liver |
|
Soil Sampling |
Background trace element content in soil |
– Doesn’t reflect what’s taken up by plants – Poor indicator of animal status |
|
Liver Biopsy (often grouped with blood testing) |
Long-term mineral storage (esp. Cu, Se) |
– Gold standard for copper & selenium |
How to supplement
Once a trace element deficiency has been identified in your herd or flock, the next step is choosing the right supplementation strategy. It’s important to select a product that:
- Delivers the correct amount of trace elements — avoid oversupplying, as this can lead to toxicity issues.
- Comes from a reliable, proven source to ensure consistent performance.
- Fits the needs of your farming system, whether you require long-acting, low-handling options or short-term supplementation.
Choosing the right product not only corrects deficiencies but helps support long-term animal health and productivity.
Consistent daily release of the Cosecure Bolus © Bimeda
The below table shows methods of trace element supplementation alongside the advantages and disadvantages.
Methods of trace element supplementation – advantages and disadvantages |
||||
|
Method |
Duration of Supply |
Accuracy of Dosage |
Handling Frequency |
Risk of Overdose |
|
Bolus |
Months |
High |
Low |
Low |
|
Drench |
Days to weeks |
Variable |
Frequent re administration to animals |
Possible |
|
Injection |
Weeks to months |
High |
Variable by product |
Variable by product |
|
In feed |
Days to weeks |
Variable |
Requires product handling |
Possible |
|
Feed/Licks |
Daily intake |
Inconsistent |
Low |
Difficult to control animal intake |
Choosing the right supplement
If you want to boost herd performance without the hassle of frequent handling, a trace element bolus could be the smart choice. But not all boluses are created equal…
Start with the science.
Some boluses are classified as Complementary Dietetic Feedstuffs, meaning they must be backed by scientific data to support any performance claims, which is a good place to start.
Cosecure Cattle goes one step further — it’s the UK’s only multi-trace element bolus licensed as a POM-VPS veterinary medicine, meaning it’s been through rigorous testing and proven to work. Cosecure provides ionic cobalt, selenium, and ionic copper. Bimeda also offer Coseicure, manufactured from the same technology – Coseicure is Cosecure with the addition of iodine.
Why Cosecure & CoseIcure Stand Out
- Cosecure Cattle is UK’s only medicinal multiple trace element bolus proven to improve fertility within an independent trial1.
- The UK’s only trace element bolus made from revolutionary soluble glass technology for consistent daily delivery of trace elements.
- The UK’s only trace element that provides rumen available ionic cobalt.
- The UK’s only trace element bolus that contains rumen available ionic copper.
Why does this matter? Cattle and Sheep don’t require cobalt to produce vitamin B12, the rumen microbes do!
Why does this matter? Supplying rumen available copper addresses deficiency caused by thiomolybdate antagonists (secondary deficiency – very common) as well as primary deficiency.
One range. Multiple species
Bimeda offers trace element boluses for:
- Cattle
- Calves
- Sheep
- Lambs
To summarise, always find a form a supplementation that is reliable and suits your needs. Always diagnose a deficiency before supplementing stock with the required amount of trace mineral.
Interested in Bimeda’s Cosecure and Coseicure boluses?
Ask your vet or local animal health advisor about Cosecure and Coseicure trace element boluses today. Alternatively, call Bimeda on 01248 725 400 or visit Bimeda.co.uk.
Find out more at www.cosecureboluses.com.
Nutritional supplementation should only ever be given on the advice of a veterinarian, animal health advisor or nutritionist, where appropriate diagnostics have taken place and a need for supplementation has been identified.
Cosecure Cattle is a POM-VPS medicine containing cobalt, selenium, and copper. It is licensed for prevention and treatment of copper and selenium deficiencies and for improvement of cobalt supply. Coseicure Cattle, Calf and Sheep, Cosecure Sheep and Lamb is a complimentary dietic feedstuff containing cobalt, selenium, iodine, and copper.
This promotion is only intended for farmers in England, Scotland and Wales. Date prepared: [28th April 2025]. Bimeda can be contacted on +44 (0)1248 725 400 or uksales@bimeda.com.
Use Medicines Responsibly. Noah.co.uk/responsible. 1 Mackenzie, A.M., Moeini, M.M. and Telfer, S.B. 2001., The effect of a copper, cobalt and selenium bolus on fertility and trace element status of dairy cattle. BSAP Occasional Publication, 26 (2), pp.423-427
Provided by
Bimeda UK manufactures animal health products, including the UK manufactured Cosecure and CoseIcure multiple trace element boluses, which deliver trace elements which are essential for fertility and health for up to 6 months in cattle and up to 8 months in sheep.