ISSUE FOCUS 28 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2022 RE-EVALUATING TRACE MINERAL STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND IMPROVE BOTTOM LINE "Many industry nutritionists follow long established norms by simply selecting an inorganic source of trace mineral to fill the void without taking all the variables associated with the selection of a cost effective, highly effective source of trace mineral into account. With increasing demand for improved environmental compliance and using resources in a more sustainable way nutritionists are beginning to re-evaluate their trace mineral strategies." Much has been written about the absolute requirement for a supplemental trace mineral source within your animals’ diet. This is supported by the fact that certain trace minerals, i.e. zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, etc. are essential to maintain high levels of animal productivity and well-being. This need requires a nutritionist to select a source of supplemental trace mineral to achieve the desired performance goals. Based on industry statistics, many industry nutritionists follow long established norms by simply selecting an inorganic source of trace mineral (oxides and or sulphates) to fill the void without taking all the variables associated with the selection of a cost effective, highly effective source of trace mineral into account. With increasing demand for improved environmental compliance and using resources in a more sustainable way nutritionists are beginning to re-evaluate their trace mineral strategies. When assessing the overall cost and value of a trace mineral source a few basic requirements must be kept in mind. The actual availability of the trace mineral form under consideration A trace mineral source is only of value to the animal when the metal it is carrying is efficiently absorbed across the intestinal wall into the animal’s blood stream. Only after the metal is absorbed, is the animal able to utilize the metal to support key production objectives like growth, reproduction, immune function, hoof health, production, etc.. Make sure you get what you have paid for Certain trace minerals (metal sulphates, etc.) are highly reactive chemical substances fuelled by their solubility in the upper digestive tract of the animal (Figure 1). These reactions, supported by high trace mineral solubility, can adversely affect gut integrity and the stability and availability of many essential nutrients (vitamins, fats, AAs, probiotics, etc.) that you have paid for, leaving you with a hole in your diet, and your bottom line. Dr. Narendra Venkatareddy Global Product Manager Selko Feed Additives – Trouw Nutrition
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