Minerals are chemical elements that have revealed their functions. Previously it was considered a minor dietary ingredient. However, it is now recognized that they are fundamental for the proper functioning of the organism. These elements are present in all cells of the body to carry out various metabolic functions.
Just Like humans need, Livestock animals require a balanced diet that includes all the essential nutrients, fluids, minerals, and vitamins, Proper nutrition gives your animal the energy needed to grow up, mature and produce a strong immune system to fight infections. All these benefits make agriculture more profitable and sustainable.
Nowadays everyone realised the importance of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Especially young animals need additional vitamins and minerals in the first stage of life because they have certain deficiencies at birth. In this article, we reveal the main vitamins and minerals, what they do and why they are so important.
One thing always keep in mind You may always add supplements to feed for livestock to increase the specific nutritional content of your feeds. Let's examine the significance of animal nutrition in the raising of livestock in more detail.
Importance of vitamins in animal nutrition
Prevent malnutrition, deficiency and disease
Hundreds of nutrition-related diseases affect livestock animals. Most of these diseases are caused by malnutrition or lack of minerals and vitamins. Deficiency and malnutrition have serious effects on animal growth, development and production; In some extreme cases, irreversible health conditions, disorders or even death can occur.
Nutritional disease has become a real problem with modern agricultural techniques. Because most animals are fed concentrates specifically designed to increase production, they may be deficient in some essential minerals and vitamins.
Add value to livestock by supplementing them with high-quality B12 and salt-based additives that contain a variety of micro and macrominerals. For example, B12 is needed in cattle to meet the high energy demands of lactation and growth.
Better Health Outcomes
With the right kind of diet and essential animal nutrition, you can have peace of mind. You know that your animals will grow up to be big and strong and will not suffer from many diseases.
Improves fertility
Many such studies published by animal health experts have found a direct link between nutrition and reproductive performance in animals. Dietary patterns, quality and quantity of rations and, most importantly, the nutritional value of fodder have a profound impact on the reproductive health of animals.
Deficient levels of certain minerals such as calcium, zinc, magnesium, selenium and manganese can reduce fertility in cows by increasing the risk of placental retention and mastitis and disrupting the balance of pregnancy and parturition hormones. Improper nutrition can lead to impaired foetal development, stunted growth after birth and, in severe cases, high calf mortality.
Nutrition also affects the fertility of male animals. Bulls, stallions, hens and sheep raised for breeding purposes require special diets to ensure the health and viability of their eggs.
Growth
All living things depend severely on proper nourishment, and the bodies of your animals are made up primarily of protein. This helps to give your livestock strong muscles and bones. The early stages of any animal's life are crucial. What you feed them determines whether they will grow up to be big and strong or weak and sick.
Enhance bone growth and vision
Vitamins are used in the chemical processes of the retina, which is essential for vision and is important for healthy vision. The effect of vitamins on bone metabolism has an impact on bone growth. In short, vitamin deficiency causes uncontrolled bone growth, which results in deformed bones and joints.
Boost yield
In general, proper nutrition promotes good health in livestock, thereby increasing productivity. More milk, meat, and eggs will be produced by healthy, well-cared livestock and poultry. Although gross production data is the backbone of every agricultural business, income data is only half of it.
Over the past decade, consumer preferences for food product quality have changed dramatically. Continuously demands are increased. In human farms, animals should not be exposed to harmful substances to improve their production.
Enriched feed not only increases yield but also improves the quality of livestock production. As long as your animals are fed properly, you don't need to resort to any unethical methods of cutting to increase your farm's production.
Reduce stress levels
Proper vitamin nutrition can reduce the stress levels of animals and increase the quality of their meat. The right vitamins are essential for better vitamin absorption by people, longer shelf life and greater nutritional quality in meat.
Good Digestion
If an animal's digestive system is not healthy, it will have constant health issues.
It is important that the animal's body absorbs the nutrients and vitamins it needs and that it can maintain regular bowel movements. For this reason, fibre is crucial in any animal's diet. You need to make sure it is in their food.
Which Macrominerals and vitamins important for animal health
Calcium
It is the most abundant macro mineral in the animal body as it forms the material necessary for the construction of structures such as bones and teeth. In addition, it performs important cellular functions in several organs such as the heart, intestines and muscles. Calcium deficiency causes decalcification and rickets in animals, characterized by weakened bones, fractures and reduced egg laying in chickens.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a macromineral that is commonly associated with calcium because they are found together in bone structure. In addition, phosphorus is involved in many digestive processes in animals. Phosphorus deficiency is linked to bone problems, reduces growth and appetite, and affects productive performance
Potassium
Potassium is also an important element that performs functions at the cellular level related to energy production in animals. It is the most abundant cation (positively charged ion) at the macromineral and intracellular levels.
Magnesium
Weakness, tetany and change in feeding habits are symptoms of potassium deficiency. Potassium deficiency is associated with muscle problems. Magnesium is a macromineral which is closely linked to phosphorus and calcium. Because of this, soft tissue contains the remaining 70% of magnesium and bone structure contains the remaining 70%. Magnesium is essential for the creation of energy.
Sulphur
Sulfur is a macromineral important in the formation of amino acids and some vitamins. Proteins are essential molecules for life made up of amino acids and are the starting point of animal production. In pigs, broilers and meat ruminants, protein is the basis for muscle building; In chickens, it is essential for egg production.
Deficiency of sulfur in the diet hinders protein synthesis. Hence, production performance is significantly affected in case of shortage.
Sodium/Chlorine
Sodium/Chlorine (NaCl) can be found in common or table salt. These minerals regulate water levels at the cellular and body levels and are therefore involved in almost all organic processes. Sodium chloride is essential in animal diets and deficiencies are not uncommon. And while excess is a frequent problem because it causes salt intoxication, especially in pigs and chickens, ruminants can also be affected.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an important role in enhancing night vision, strengthening the immune system and promoting cell growth. In addition, it defends against infections by keeping the pores and skin healthy. For animals, liver, fish oil, and certain green leafy vegetables are rich sources of vitamin A. For animals include liver, fish oil, and some green leafy vegetables.
B vitamin complex
B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12) are involved in various essential functions such as energy production, nervous system function and red blood cell formation. B vitamins are essential for animals' healthy metabolisms. Grains, green vegetables, eggs and meat are rich sources of B vitamins.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and teeth by increasing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D; However, dietary sources such as fish oil and egg yolk can provide animals with the necessary vitamin D.
Vitamin E
Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin E protects cell membranes, strengthening the immune system in animals. This vitamin also supports heart health and can reduce inflammation. Sources of vitamin E include vegetable oils, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables.
The importance of proper nutrition in livestock production cannot be underestimated. Feed determines the overall health and yield performance of livestock. The success of your farm can depend on how you feed, handle, and care for your animals. Remember that animals are very sensitive to what they eat and how they eat it. So, make sure to provide your livestock animals with every essential nutrient, in the right amount, and at the right time.
By providing expert support and the best nutrition healthcare products Solman Healthcare helps you to ensure the highest standards of animal care.