Everglades Station Mimeo Rpt. 61-4 October, 1960

 Results of field tests with the cattle cobalt "bullet"

 H. L. Chapman, Jr. 1/ / 3/


 Cobalt has been demonstrated to be an essential mineral element for beef
 cattle, apparently exerting its principle effect in the ruminant animal
 through the formation of vitamin B12 in the rumen. Deficiencies of this
 element have been experienced by many cattlemen in South Florida. Although
 it is an essential mineral element a very small amount is required to pre-
 vent a deficiency, with good results obtained by the inclusion of one ounce
 of cobalt sulfate in each 100 pounds of complete mineral mix.

 Recent articles have reported that cobalt, administered orally, in the
 form of a "pellet"of high specific gravity, will stay in the rumen or reti-
 culem of the ruminent animal for a prolonged period of time and result in
 any increased rate of growth, even though a complete mineral mixture may be
 provided. The cobalt pellet has been called a "bullet". The widespread
 interest in this approach to cobalt administration resulted in the initiation
 of three field experiments with this product. The purpose of this report is
 to present the results of these three studies.


 Experiment 133-a

 This experiment was established at the Collier Cattle Company, Imokalee,
 Florida, July 28, 1959. Ninety-one, mature Hereford cows, some indicating
 considerable age, were divided into two groups, with one group receiving the
 cobalt bullet. The treated animals were each given, orally, one cobalt
 bullet. This bullet contains 90 percent cobalt oxide.

 After treatment all animals were kept in one group and received common
management. The cattle in the experiment were handled as usual, with no
special treatment other than the cobalt bullet. The results of this study
are presented in table one.




1/ Associate Animal: Nutritionist, Everglades Experiment Station, Belle
 Glade, Florida.

2/ Acknowledgment is made to the Collier Cattle Company, Imokalee, Florida
 and the Hayes Ranch, Clewiston, Florida for excellent cooperation which
 made these studies possible. The assistance of T. Swager and Joe
 Crockett in the identification of these animals is appreciated.

3/ The cobalt "bullets" used i si r Maxp nt were provided by Nicholas
 of America Limited, 200 S.,chigan Ave \hicago 4, Illinois.