Pedigree rams that are given cabbages pre-sales are often returned to the vendor as being unfertile. But, once back with the vendor succeed in getting ewes pregnant. Cabbages contain goitrogenic substances that prevent iodine getting to the thyroid gland. The same is true of soya, rape, sweeds, rye grass in it’s first grazing year, and even red clover. Low iodine in the thyroid gland can limit a rams libido, and this results in less manufacture of semen. How can iodine, selenium, cobalt and copper, if safe for the particular breed of sheep, be supplemented effectively to pedigree rams fed on cabbages?

Bolusing with the tracesure range of boluses including iodine will help. They last up to six months. By bolusing breeding rams at weaning, and if run on for a second year, every six months thereafter, iodine levels and the other elements included in the boluses are optimized.

Animax Ltd. Shepherds Grove West,  Stanton, Sufolk,  IP31 2AR