The deficiency symptoms for cobalt are generally non-specific. A positive response to supplemental cobalt has been reported when certain high-concentrate finishing rations were fed. Forty-six fescue hay samples collected throughout Missouri were mostly marginal or deficient in cobalt for beef cattle. Cobalt supplementation is advisable for beef cows wintered on low-quality grass, hay, straw, or similar roughage. Adding 1 ounce of cobalt chloride or sulfate to each ton of free-choice mineral mixture is recommended for cows if the mixture is made with plain salt.
Copper deficiencies are likely to occur when cattle consume forages grown in Missouri.
Deficiency symptoms include unthriftiness, bleaching of hair and anemia. In regions where the vegetation supplies less than 5 ppm of copper, adult beef animals frequently suffer from falling disease. High levels of inorganic sulfate and molybdenum in the diet can increase the copper requirement by two- or threefold. Calves fed exclusive milk diets for long periods may develop copper deficiencies. Copper toxicity levels may be as little as 115 ppm of the total ration for cattle.