We recently featured an article with the results of vitamin B12 testing on local lambs conducted earlier this year, as well as options for getting your stock tested.

Now let’s take a look at what your options for supplementation are once you’ve tested.

Smartshot is a long-acting B12 injection. It can be administered while lambs are in for tailing, or any time following that. The dose rate dictates how long it will last. At tailing time the full recommended dose is 1ml, and this would give 6-8 months of B12 requirements. However, many sheep farmers use a dose rate of between 0.5-1ml, giving variable lengths of cover. There is a version of this product that includes long-acting selenium. 

Prolaject is a short-acting B12 injection. It can be given monthly to young stock to help maintain adequate levels. It’s available with or without selenium. It comes in two concentrations – so check which you prefer to administer. 

Another option is Ultravac 5+1 which comes with B12 or B12 and selenium.

We have many clients who will be using less mineralised drench this year, either because they need to use more novel drench that doesn’t contain minerals or they are using grazing techniques to reduce their drench requirement.

These farmers should consider the impact of less vitamin B12/cobalt and selenium going into their animals and revisit their supplementation plan to ensure growth is not limited by a mineral deficiency.