Organically bound micro minerals for sows

Published: 2023-05-31

The sows and their piglets have been in focus of a new study, where the effect of two different types of organically bound micro minerals was investigated. The study was carried out in collaboration between SEGES Innovation and the University of Copenhagen and aimed to investigate any differences in the effectiveness of the two types of minerals.

Absorption of minerals across the gut is complex and depends on various conditions. The way in which a mineral is absorbed can take place in different ways and with different efficiency. Minerals can use different channels across the gut depending on how they are bound (organic or inorganic). Organically bound minerals are absorbed to a greater extent across the gut compared to inorganic minerals. In organically bound minerals, the mineral may be bound to various sources of organic origin, which may possibly have an effect on how efficiently the mineral is transported across the gut. The current study aims to highlight any differences between two types that are frequently used.

Over a period of 9 months, two groups of sows were allocated feed of the same recipe, however with the difference that the two recipes varied only in the type of micro minerals:

Kristina Sørensen
Product Manager, pigs
+ 45 2144 3628
krso@vilomix.dk

Group 1

Glycine-bound copper, manganese and zinc (Pancosma, Rolle, Switzerland).

Group 2

Amino acid chelated copper, manganese and zinc (Zinpro, Eden Prairie, MN, USA).

The result of the micro mineral test

During the experimental period, data was collected from both sows and piglets. The results showed no difference between the two groups on the birth weight of the pigs, nor any difference in the vitality of the pigs at birth, which was assessed by the pig's ability to reach the udder. There were no differences in the daily litter growth or the sow's self-weaning.

No difference was found in the concentration of Cu, Zn and Mn and other nutrients in the colostrum, nor in the content of the milk at day 22.

There was no difference between the groups in the occurrence of lameness in the sows and the condition of the hoofs assessed on a scale from 1-4 showed no difference either.

Overall, the conclusion of the study is that there is no difference between the two types of organically bound micro minerals on productivity in either sows or pigs.