Cobalt in feed - Research data

110 samples of complementary feed were collected in different Italian regions and analysed between 2018 and 2022. Samples were n = 37 complementary feeds for dairy cows, n = 27 complementary feed for bulls/steers, n = 26 complementary feed for calves and n = 20 complementary feed for which no specific category of cattle for which they are intended is indicated (hereinafter referred to as “cattle”).
The mean values for the different feed types were cattle – 0.26 mg kg-1, bulls/steers – 0.40 mg kg-1, dairy cows – 0.27 mg kg-1 and calves – 0.25 mg kg-1.
The analysis of cobalt levels in ruminant feed revealed significant differences in supplementation in the examined animal categories. Bulls and steers feed exhibited the highest cobalt levels, with some samples elevated concentrations (up to 1.7 mg kg-1) compared to other categories (for which the highest concentration was 0.9 mg kg-1). Conversely, dairy cows displayed more homogeneous and generally lower cobalt levels, suggesting greater uniformity in the feed intended for this category.
The feed intended for bulls may contain higher levels of cobalt, compared to other feeds, to ensure adequate amounts of cobalt to prevent consequences associated with cobalt or vitamin B12 deficiency.

自2018年至2022年间，在不同意大利地区收集了110份补充饲料样本，并对其进行了分析。其中，针对奶牛的补充饲料样本n = 37份，针对公牛/阉牛的补充饲料样本n = 27份，针对小牛的补充饲料样本n = 26份，以及n = 20份未指明特定牛类类别（以下简称“牛”）的补充饲料样本。不同饲料类型的平均含量分别为：牛类 – 0.26 mg/kg，公牛/阉牛 – 0.40 mg/kg，奶牛 – 0.27 mg/kg，小牛 – 0.25 mg/kg。对反刍动物饲料中钴含量的分析显示，在所考察的动物类别中，钴的补充存在显著差异。公牛和阉牛的饲料表现出最高的钴含量，部分样本的钴浓度升高（高达1.7 mg/kg），与其他类别（其中最高浓度为0.9 mg/kg）相比。相反，奶牛的钴含量更为均匀且普遍较低，这表明为该类别提供的饲料具有更高的均匀性。针对公牛的饲料可能含有比其他饲料更高的钴含量，以确保充足的钴摄入，预防与钴或维生素B12缺乏相关的后果。