Pork producers have been relatively successful with their efforts to increase production efficiencies in the swine industry over the years. During the 1930s and 40s, the importance of essential vitamins and minerals for swine was discovered. As a result of the introduction of these nutrients to feed, pigs reached market weight sooner and needed less feed to do so, compared with before. Later in the 20th century, crystalline amino acid supplements were fed to swine to improve growth, lactation, and reproduction. In addition, advances in biotechnology provided improved techniques for veterinarians to identify and treat diseases in swine.
Though the industry has advanced tremendously, issues continue to combat efficient production, and new challenges have been created. For example, the cost of feed has increased tremendously, especially with the onset of ethanol production. Using hormones and artificial insemination to control reproductive processes for swine have not aided in solving reproduction problems.
At Mineral BioSciences®, we believe in diagnosing and treating the problem rather than masking the symptoms. Using our exclusive mineral extraction process, we have created a supplement to combat issues facing pork producers, as well as other livestock professionals.
In this article we examine how to enhance swine by providing for the animals’ mineral requirements, and what these specific requirements consist of.
Just as minerals are important in human nutrition, they are important for swine nutrition. In fact, humans and swine have very similar nutritional needs. Minerals are required for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and other functions. Stress and other factors can affect the level of minerals the body needs. Mineral deficiencies can cause nutritional diseases, such as lameness or bone fractures, rickets, or even anemia. These diseases negatively affect farm productivity. Prevention is key.
The macrominerals swine need include:
In addition to macrominerals, microminerals such as zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and iodine are also required.
Research shows that pigs require mineral supplements in their diets to achieve optimum growth and health. However, according to an article published in the Journal of Animal Science, they need not just any kind of supplement, but one that is easy for the body to absorb. The rate of absorption is of course dependent on the type of diet being fed. For example, swine fed a corn-soybean diet show better absorption and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of an organic supplement containing zinc, copper, manganese, and iron compared with those on a corn and sorghum diet. This is due to the high phytic-acid content of the corn-soybean diet. According to Hans H. Stein, professor of animal sciences at the University of Illinois, “Minerals can form complexes with phytic acid that are indigestible to pigs…in a high-phytate diet, organic microminerals improve ATTD and absorption of minerals” (as cited in Henry, 2014).
To summarize the research, the answer is no—pig feed does not provide the level of minerals needed to provide swine with good health and reduced risk of nutritional deficiencies, which lead to increased risk for disease, decreased production, and ultimately, lower revenue. Especially in corn-soybean diets, producers should provide swine with an ionic, bioavailable mineral supplement.
The reason a proper mineral supplement is required can be traced to the effects of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, which has decreased the mineral content of soil for crops and therefore for the foods humans and animals consume. For more information on this topic, read the article How to Increase Crop Yield.
The term “ionic” when used in the context of liquids is often associated with the term “dissolved” and refers to the nature of the solids in a liquid medium. When a solid substance has achieved an ionic state, it has reached its smallest molecular composition. This form is easily absorbed by the body and is extremely bioavailable at the cellular level.
The term “colloidal” when used in the context of liquids is most often associate with the term “suspended” and refers to the nature of the solids in a liquid medium. If particles are suspended, they are left standing and some will eventually separate due to gravity, while others will remain in permanent suspension. These minerals, due to their molecular size, are not as readily absorbed, evenly distributed or fully transported throughout the body.
Mineral Biosciences innovative product BioVigor® provides the essential mineral ingredients for swine and their offspring. The presence of these minerals is critical, as they allow for naturally occurring vitamins, enzymes and other nutrients to be more effective. It is the only formula to offer both macro and trace elements to enhance the reproductive, musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive and immune functions for all varieties and breeds of swine.
Let’s take a look at how BioVigor enhances each of these systems in more detail.
Minerals found in soils play an important part in higher conception rates and trouble-free birthing. As mentioned earlier in this article, some chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides have destroyed the balance of soil microorganisms. These depleted soils are then farmed to produce substandard grains that reduce the reproductive capabilities of swine.
By utilizing proprietary mining sites consisting of specialized sub-surface mineral-enriched soils, BioVigor® is designed to reinvigorate reproductive health and performance.
Biological research continues to reveal the precise role of individual minerals in animal biology. Mineral BioSciences® has focused on unique complementary connections between specific minerals and the physiological functions they correspond to. This patented process has led to the development of BioVigor®, a product whose integrated functions play a role in the transportation and stabilization of nutrients to and from cells.
Until recently, there has been little choice in providing the necessary minerals for vigorous growth and development of swine. Various supplemental formulas have been available—each offering specific minerals to tackle specific needs. But there has never been a product that delivers both macro and trace elements to aid the entire biological system—until BioVigor®.
Ionic minerals have a distinctive molecular structure, composed of both a positive and negative charge that allows them to bond with many other nutrients. This aids in disease prevention because biological systems require a wide variety of minerals to be available to effectively and accurately program DNA synthesis required for cell replication and immune defense.
BioVigor is a complete mineral supplement that will enhance any swine operation, increasing profits while decreasing costs. It is recommended and distributed by veterinarians throughout the U.S.
For more information on BioVigor, visit our Contact Us page.