Advantages of Organic Trace Minerals

Feb 10, 2020


Minerals required by livestock are commonly divided into two general categories: macrominerals and microminerals.  Macrominerals are those required in relatively large amounts, and microminerals, in very small amounts.  Microminerals, also referred to as trace minerals, are only needed in quantities measured in milligrams or micrograms, but are vitally important for reproduction, immunity, and proper growth and development.  Copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium are just some of the trace minerals typically supplemented to ensure proper health and performance of our animals. 

At the molecular level, supplemental trace minerals are found in two basic forms:  organic and inorganic.  By definition, any metal ion linked to a carbon-containing molecule is considered an “organic” trace mineral.  Inorganic minerals then are those bonded to an inorganic molecule such as sulfate or oxide (no carbon), making them simpler and less expensive to produce.  Inorganics can serve well as the base of trace mineral supplementation, but their usefulness is limited by the animal’s ability to absorb them in the small intestine.

Organic trace minerals have higher bioavailability since they are more readily absorbed than inorganics. This is true because the molecule binding the trace mineral is one rapidly taken up in the gut.  However, even within the classification of organics there are differences due to chemical properties.  Those organic trace minerals complexed with amino acids have proven to offer the most potential for enhanced performance in farm livestock species.  Look for them in the list of ingredients on the label.
 

Read More News

Mar 04, 2024
We all deal with some sort of change almost every day of our lives — from changes in our surroundings such as the weather, to bigger changes that involve losing a loved one or a good friend that moves away. This may sound cliché, but change is most certainly inevitable. This is especially true in the field of agriculture. 
 
Feb 05, 2024
A cold, January rain begins pattering the hood of his pickup as Lobelville cattleman Tim Byrd pulls up to the metal gate of his pasture. Across the fence, members of his commercial cow/calf herd look on expectantly, gathering near the fence.
 
Jan 08, 2024
With winter conditions upon us, meeting our animals’ nutrient requirements is key to the economic success of our beef herds. For spring-calving cows, winter feeding coincides with the last third of gestation and early lactation. During this cycle, these cows require a higher level of nutrition than do dry cows in early gestation.
Everything starts with forage, both quantity and quality. It’s important to test and evaluate your forage to understand the amount of nutrients needed to meet the animal’s requirement. A basic forage analysis will offer information about the protein, fiber, and energy levels present, allowing producers to rank hay from various fields and cuttings according to their relative feeding value. Highest quality hays can then be reserved for lactating cows, heifers, and thin cows.