Natural and supplementary sources of minerals

Mineral compound Poultry Pigs Cattle Sheep 

Summarised from Ammerman C B, Henry P R and Miles R D 1998 Supplemental organically-bound mineral compounds in livestock nutrition. In Garnsworthy P C and Wiseman J (eds) Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition, Nottingham, Nottingham University Press, pp. 67-91. 

Metal proteinate The product resulting from the chelation of a soluble salt with amino acids and/or partially hydrolysed protein. 

Mineral supplementation of animals at pasture can be a problem. Minerals can be incorporated into free-access feed blocks, which also provide a source of energy and nitrogen. However, individual animal intake can be variable. Intake depends on season, weather conditions, the siting and number of blocks (to minimise competition), frequency of renewal and availability of water. The inclusion of oil or molasses improves palatability. 

Spraying the pasture with soluble salts of trace elements can increase the element content of the pasture. Alternatively, trace elements can be included in fertihsers in order to increase the herbage content via the soil. However, if the deficiency is due to poor availability of the element, then this type of application will not be successful. 

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