Trace Minerals

Trace elements have an important role in various metabolic events in the body. Two broad categories of sources are available to supplement trace elements: inorganic and organic sources. Inorganic sources are the common sulphates, oxides, chlorides, carbonates of the element and they can differ in their bioavailability. The other category is often referred to as “chelates”. Mineral chelates are organic trace minerals designed to enhance gut absorption and improve bioavailability. The inorganic minerals may interact with fibre, phytate, tannin, oxalate, silicates or other minerals in the gastro-intestinal tract, which may interfere with their absorption. One of the reasons for increased bioavailability of organic minerals is that they are protected from such interactions. When minerals are bound to chelating agents, such as amino acids or hydrolyzed proteins, they become more stable and less reactive in the digestive tract. Common organically bound trace minerals used in animal nutrition are iron, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium and selenium. Supplementation of organic mineral complexes is reported to improve animal production. Another potential application of the organic mineral sources is reduction in their excretion and, thereby, reduction in the environmental pollution.

Trace minerals provide the essential nutrients animals need for metabolic functions, such as growth and development, immunity and reproduction. Even moderate deficiencies can adversely impact animal performance.

The Availa® Line includes products such as Availa®Plus, Availa®4, Availa®ZMC, Availa®Sow, Availa®Zn, Availa®Mn, Availa®Cu, Availa®Se and Availa®Fe. Like metal specific amino acid complexes, Zinpro Corporation was the first company to manufacture metal amino acid complexes for animal diets. These complexes are manufactured with our patented “amino acid extraction process” that breaks down a pure source of protein into free amino acids. The free amino acids are then complexed to the trace mineral. The result is the most readily available form of trace minerals and a strong return on investment.

Products

Availa^®4

is a nutritional feed ingredient for animals that contains a combination of organic zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt. These trace minerals are required by animals for numerous functions including: immunity, reproduction, skin and hoof integrity, growth and muscle development, milk production, fiber digestion and energy metabolism. In addition, when an animal has the proper balance of trace minerals, it is better able to cope with the challenging effects of stress.

Availa^®Cu

(copper amino acid complex): is a nutritional feed ingredient for animals that contains organic copper. The trace mineral copper is required by animals for numerous functions including: immunity, reproduction, skin and hoof integrity, iron metabolism, as well as bone development and maintenance.

Availa^®Fe

(iron amino acid complex): is a nutritional feed ingredient for animals that contains organic iron. The trace mineral iron is required by animals for numerous functions including: oxygen transport, immunity, milk production and muscle development.

Availa^®Mn

(manganese amino acid complex): is a nutritional feed ingredient for animals that contains organic manganese. The trace mineral manganese is required by animals for several functions including: immunity, reproduction, digestion, metabolism and healthy bone growth.

Availa^®Plus

represents, not only a new trace mineral product, but an entirely new approach to foot health management. It has been developed specifically for use in dairy and beef cattle and is designed to promote health from the inside out. When fed in conjunction with a specific DD formula, research has shown that the trace minerals found in Availa®-Plus can help provide protection against deficiency. This carefully formulated trace mineral program works internally to enhance the animal’s health. Availa®-Plus contains a combination of complexed zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt, plus potassium iodide. The Performance Minerals found in Availa®-Plus, when fed as part of a well-fortified diet, have been shown to improve health. A healthy animal will have better claw/hoof integrity, reproduction/fertility rates, milk quality, average daily gain, feed efficiency/conversion, as well as decreased mortality and reduced veterinary costs. In addition, when an animal has the proper balance of trace minerals, it is better able to cope with the challenging effects of stress.

Availa^®Sow

is a nutritional feed ingredient for swine that contains a combination of organic zinc, manganese and copper. As the recommended Feet First program product, Availa®-Sow is specifically formulated to help optimize foot health and reproductive performance of sows, gilts and boars. The trace minerals zinc, copper and manganese are required by swine for numerous functions including: immunity, reproduction and hoof integrity.

Availa^®ZMC

(zinc, manganese and copper amino acid complex): is a nutritional feed ingredient for poultry that contains a combination of organic zinc, manganese and copper. These trace minerals are required by poultry for numerous functions including: immunity, skin integrity, bone and muscle development and egg production.

Availa^®Zn

(zinc amino acid complex): is a nutritional feed ingredient for animals that contains organic zinc. The trace mineral zinc is required by animals for numerous functions including: immunity, reproduction, skin and hoof integrity, muscle development, milk production and eggshell quality.

Availa^®Se

(zinc-L-selenomethionine): is a nutritional feed ingredient for animals that contains organic selenium. The trace mineral selenium is required by animals for numerous functions including, immunity and antioxidant activity.