Effects of copper and cobalt treatment of cattle in the Ethiopian Rift Valley.

The effects of treatment of young Borana-type zebu cattle with copper and cyanocobalamin by injection are described. Cattle receiving copper gained a mean of 9.18 kg more than cobalt treated and control cattle over a 23-week period of the dry season. Anaemia was not present initially nor in control animals and blood parameters, with the exception of serum copper content, were unaffected by treatment. Serum copper contents were low initially in all cattle and, although increased in the copper treatment group, remained below normal levels.