ISSUE FOCUS 46 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2025 "Hydroxy trace minerals can be offered at a price point that allows for the complete replacement of reactive, inorganic trace mineral sources in the diet. When compared on average with multiple, research proven organic trace minerals sources, hydroxy trace minerals would represent a 50- 60% savings while delivering an equivalent, or greater level of animal efficacy." 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. 4 QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK WHEN RE-EVALUATING YOUR TRACE MINERAL STRATEGY When assessing the overall cost and value of a trace mineral source a few basic requirements must be kept in mind. 1. What is 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. 2. Are you getting 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. RE-EVALUATING YOUR TRACE MINERAL STRATEGIES Gavin Boerboom Category Lead Selko Feed Additives
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