Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Selenium And Sheep Health, B J. Gabbedy, A. J. Hadlow

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

For many years selenium was known to the livestock industries only because of its toxic properties. Some soils, particularly in the United States of America, were so high in selenium that many animals died after grazing plants on these soils.

In 1957 it was discovered that selenium supplements could prevent a number of diseases and, from that time, selenium has been regarded as an essential trace element.

White muscle disease (WMD) was first recognised in sheep in Western Australia in 1960 and has occurred each year since.