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THE ROLE OF MINERAL TESTING IN SHEEP PRODUCTION

  • Writer: Sheep Bolus Company
    Sheep Bolus Company
  • Nov 8, 2025
  • 2 min read

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

I’m often asked, how do you know boluses work? The answer is a lot of trial & error with many mineral programs & most importantly, ten years worth of mineral testing my flock. Mineral tests are a valuable diagnostic tool & they are within reach to most shepherds. Here I share my run down on two different methods.
I’m often asked, how do you know boluses work? The answer is a lot of trial & error with many mineral programs & most importantly, ten years worth of mineral testing my flock. Mineral tests are a valuable diagnostic tool & they are within reach to most shepherds. Here I share my run down on two different methods.
Whether it’s for my humans, or my flock, I’ve always focused on a holistic approach that prioritizes preventative measures before emergency intervention. In shepherding, it is crucial to be proactive rather than reactive.
Whether it’s for my humans, or my flock, I’ve always focused on a holistic approach that prioritizes preventative measures before emergency intervention. In shepherding, it is crucial to be proactive rather than reactive.
The key difference between proactive & reactive is being able to identify issues before they become problems. It’s also being capable of accurately linking cause & effect. This is where a small amount of science, coupled with shepherd intuition, can go a long way to improving productivity.
The key difference between proactive & reactive is being able to identify issues before they become problems. It’s also being capable of accurately linking cause & effect. This is where a small amount of science, coupled with shepherd intuition, can go a long way to improving productivity.
There are two distinct methods of mineral testing. Both are explained here with a few US resources listed for each.
There are two distinct methods of mineral testing. Both are explained here with a few US resources listed for each.
Whenever possible, I prefer the comprehensive results of fixed tissue mineral analysis.
Whenever possible, I prefer the comprehensive results of fixed tissue mineral analysis.
The procedure is easier & more affordable than many shepherds realize. I have found that Northern European short-tailed, or heritage breeds, have a much higher tolerance for copper & actually fare better when it is a part of their mineral consumption, but ‘liver testing’ provides me peace of mind.
The procedure is easier & more affordable than many shepherds realize. I have found that Northern European short-tailed, or heritage breeds, have a much higher tolerance for copper & actually fare better when it is a part of their mineral consumption, but ‘liver testing’ provides me peace of mind.

higher tolerance for copper

I like effective, low cost parachutes. Cheap insurance that the flock is getting the minerals it needs to be healthy & productive. In shepherding, we don’t always get many of those, but for myself, it’s been hands down the bolus. When ‘science’ confirmed what I could already see with my own eyes- I was sold. As I began to help new shepherds, I wanted them to have easy access to fast shipping, low prices, properly packaged, expiration marked mineral boluses. It’s where this all started!
I like effective, low cost parachutes. Cheap insurance that the flock is getting the minerals it needs to be healthy & productive. In shepherding, we don’t always get many of those, but for myself, it’s been hands down the bolus. When ‘science’ confirmed what I could already see with my own eyes- I was sold. As I began to help new shepherds, I wanted them to have easy access to fast shipping, low prices, properly packaged, expiration marked mineral boluses. It’s where this all started!
So in conclusion, the best shepherds I have known, all multi-generation & most passed on to the big pasture in the sky, managed large range flocks & never tested. They used generations worth of keen observation to shepherd their flocks, & families, to success. It’s one of my favorite aspects of raising sheep- there are so many different ways to do it! All of the above is just one more option to file away in your tool kit.
So in conclusion, the best shepherds I have known, all multi-generation & most passed on to the big pasture in the sky, managed large range flocks & never tested. They used generations worth of keen observation to shepherd their flocks, & families, to success. It’s one of my favorite aspects of raising sheep- there are so many different ways to do it! All of the above is just one more option to file away in your tool kit.

Happy Shepherding,

Kimberly

& the Sheep Bolus Co. Team

 
 
 

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