What is cobalt?
Cobalt is a metallic element. Its only known essential role in animals is as the central atom of vitamin B12. Animals cannot make B12 themselves; it is synthesised only by bacteria and archaea, which need cobalt to do so.
This is why cobalt matters for ruminants and, to a lesser extent, other animals with extensive microbial fermentation such as horses and rabbits. Pigs and poultry need preformed vitamin B12 in the diet; adding cobalt does not replace it.
What does cobalt do in animal feed?
- Vitamin B12 synthesis: rumen microbes incorporate dietary cobalt into B12, which the animal then absorbs further down the gut.
- Energy metabolism: ruminants rely heavily on propionate from rumen fermentation; turning propionate into glucose requires a B12-dependent enzyme (methylmalonyl-CoA mutase).
- Deficiency signs: loss of appetite, poor growth, weight loss, rough coat or fleece and anaemia, traditionally called 'pine' or wasting disease in sheep. Sheep are generally more sensitive than cattle.
- Regional risk: soils and forages low in cobalt are found in many regions, so grazing animals on such land are at particular risk.
- Horses and rabbits: hindgut microbes also produce B12, so cobalt can be relevant in their mineral supply.
Forms of cobalt and why coated forms are used
Cobalt is supplied as cobalt(II) salts, including the carbonate, carbonate hydroxide, acetate and sulphate. Several of these compounds carry hazard classifications: they can cause skin and respiratory sensitisation, and some are classified as carcinogenic (particularly by inhalation), mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. Inhalation of dust is therefore the main concern for people handling them; EFSA's assessment of coated granulated cobalt(II) carbonate, for example, treats it as a skin and eye irritant and a dermal and respiratory sensitiser and states that any exposure should be minimised.
For this reason, the feed industry increasingly uses coated or granulated forms, in which the cobalt salt is bound in a low-dust granule. These forms remain available for microbial B12 synthesis in the rumen while greatly reducing dust exposure during handling. In the EU, cobalt is authorised only as specific named compounds, among them coated granulated cobalt(II) carbonate, and only for defined target species such as ruminants with a functional rumen, equidae and lagomorphs, with conditions aimed at limiting dust exposure. Several of these authorisations have recently gone through renewal and provisional authorisation steps, so the current status in each market should be checked; local regulations and the product label prevail.
How is the cobalt supply assessed?
Cobalt is needed in very small amounts, measured in milligrams per kilogram of feed dry matter. Nutritionists consider the species, the cobalt status of local forages and soils, the share of concentrates, and indicators such as vitamin B12 status in blood or liver where available. Because the margin between need and excess is regulated, total cobalt in the feed is subject to legal maximums in many countries, and cobalt is always added through an accurately mixed premix rather than directly to feed.
Quality and safety criteria
- Declared cobalt content verified by analysis, and a certificate of analysis (CoA) for each lot.
- Physical form: coated or granulated, low-dust material with a defined particle size and good distribution in premixes.
- Coating integrity, so that the dust-reducing properties are maintained during transport and mixing.
- Limits on undesirable substances such as heavy metals.
- Handling precautions: closed systems or local exhaust ventilation, respiratory, skin and eye protection, and clear hazard labelling.
CTF Premix and cobalt
Cobalt can be included in CTF Premix's mineral, vitamin-mineral and custom premixes for ruminants according to the customer's formulation, preferably from coated, low-dust sources. Pig and poultry programmes are covered through vitamin B12 in the vitamin premix instead. Production takes place at our Ankara facility under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP, with micro-ingredient handling procedures, a certificate of analysis and lot traceability for every batch.
This page is for general information. Inclusion rates and product choice should be decided with a nutritionist, taking into account the species, the feed formulation and the applicable regulations.