Environmental Responsibilities of Using Trace Element Feed

Trace elements play an important role in animal life activities, are essential nutrients for animals, are important cofactors for enzyme active centers in the body's metabolism, and maintain the stability of enzyme structure and genetic information transmission. Under the modern breeding industry model and the concept of environmental protection, the quality of trace elements in feed is particularly important.

This article contains the following:

• Trace elements in feed

• Impact of trace elements on the environment

• Harm of high doses of trace elements in feed

Trace elements in feed

The trace element in the feed is an additive, and the raw material constituting the trace element additive is a compound containing trace elements, such as (Zinc Oxide, Zinc Low Chloride Sulfate, Basic Copper Chloride, Manganese Sulfate, etc. ). The trace element compounds used as feed additives must be absorbed and utilized by animals. For animal health and social safety, the impurities (mainly heavy metals) in feed-grade trace element compounds must strictly comply with national standards.

Impact of trace elements on the environment

The impact of copper and zinc on the environment is of particular concern, because in order to promote growth and prevent bacterial diarrhea, the pharmacological levels of inorganic sources of Cu and Zn (copper sulfate and zinc oxide) fed are often much higher than physiological requirements. These excreta can cause soil and water pollution, and can be very toxic to plants and animals, and even to microorganisms in the soil. It is for this reason that the European Commission for Animal Feed has proposed a maximum content level that is well below the currently recognized level.

Trace element nutrition has always been an overlooked field in animal science and modern animal genotypes with higher levels of fertility. Animals may require higher levels of trace elements than currently recommended. However, this is not just a matter of quantity, but there are also many problems in terms of the source and bioavailability of trace elements. The levels of trace elements needed to feed modern animals, the most easily absorbed forms and their benefits should be further determined, including improved performance, good health and animal welfare, and reduced environmental impact. From the current research, organic trace elements will play an increasingly important role in pig nutrition, which can not only meet the actual needs of animals to maintain optimal performance, but also cause minimal impact on the environment.

Harm of high doses of trace elements in feed

• Cause environmental pollution and waste of resources: The absorption rate of trace elements in the digestive tract is low, and it is lower when the dose is high. Most of the trace elements are excreted through the feces, which causes waste of resources and pollutes the environment. Long-term fertilization with manure with high trace element content will cause accumulation and pollution of trace elements in the soil, which will have a toxic effect on plants (especially crops), seriously affect plant growth and development, and reduce crop yield. Once the feces pollute the water source, it will also cause great harm, which can reduce the self-purification ability of the water body, degrade the water quality, and kill the aquatic life.

• Decrease the edibility and safety of animal products: high copper can cause copper accumulation in animal livers, thereby reducing its edible value and even causing toxic effects on the human body. Although high zinc and organic arsenic remain in the animal body, it also affects the safety of animal products.

• It is easy to cause animal poisoning and is harmful to feed producers.

Please contact Polifar when you want to buy trace element feeds.