The copper status in livestock was investigated in relation to its presence in pasture and soil in Western Sudan. The levels in tissues were generally comparable with findings reported elsewhere but low concentrations were found in blood and liver of some animals. All areas, except Bahr el Arab, had soil and pasture copper contents which could be interpreted as either critical or deficient for the nutrition of animals. Various pasture species were surveyed; the most common had generally lower copper concentrations than the less common species in the area. Nomadism may be a direct means of preventing copper deficiency in livestock and the above findings may have relevance to any consideration of the future settlement of nomads in Western Sudan.