Ruminant nutrition: reminiscences of Australian research

Abstract

The history of research on ruminant nutrition in Australia is recorded. A complex set of circumstances led to an abrupt origin in 1928 and rapid progress in the following years. A brief account is given of the major developments up to 1945. In spite of the fact that, during this period of 17 years, funds for research were very modest, a most impressive research output was achieved. One of the outstanding events was the discovery of the role of cobalt as an essential nutrient and the practical importance of cobalt deficiency in ruminants in Australia and many other countries. A detailed personal account is given of the early events in this research in order to establish due recognition of the original discoverers of cobalt's role in ruminant nutrition.