[Jacob-list] Shearing Time! / Grey Banding in Fleeces

[G & J Johnston]

We live in an area of Scotland (UK) where there is a known problem with copper uptake by ruminants.  Note I don't say copper deficiency.  The problem is that other minerals such as iron and molybdenum in the soil interfere with the uptake of copper from the rumen in both sheep and cattle.  If you just increase the provision of copper in the diet then you risk copper poisoning.  A product available here in the UK is the COSECURE copper bolus, which provides copper directly in the rumen, thus overcoming the effect of iron and molybdenum.  A bolus is put into the rumen once a year and, as long as they don't spit it back out, the problem is solved.  Blood testing does not give an adequate picture of the situation, which can really only be diagnosed on necropsy.
One thing which makes the situation worse is if your pastures have many molehills, which means that the sheep will be eating soil (dirt) with their grass.  Also, do not feed grain directly on the ground - use a feeder.
The banding is typical of this condition.  It is not visible in white wool but the effect is still there - weakening of the fibres.  This lack of copper available to the animal can also cause swayback in new lambs.
The research which lead to the development of cosecure was done here in the UK with Hebridean sheep, which are black and tend to suffer from the problem of grey banding in their wool.  The effect of the COSECURE bolus is instant, with lovely black wool coming through immediately.
Juliet
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