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Using Trace Minerals
Research conducted by Jason Chadwick undergraduate BYU-Idaho under the supervision of Dr. Robert Morrow MD, Dr. Auriel Combs PhD and Dr. Wayne Geitel DVM Rio Verde University-Utah
07-01-0
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Synopsis of Research project:
Materials.
Two 20 acre fields of alfalfa served as the baseline. Slaughter/grazing (unrestricted open range feed access) was supplemented with a diet consisting of a mixture of sorghum, corn, soybean and flour byproducts. The trace mineral formula is a calcium added Vitae-Myte™ compound, with the addition of 1% humic compounds. The calcium-silica clay base was applied to the 20 acre field at a rate of 100#’s per acre (broadcast method-from a spreader) and 100# per acre via suspension in an NPK water solution (using a 500 gallon sprayer). Water and mineralized salt were supplied in equal amounts to both herds.
Method.
The Qualitative Method of analysis was chosen to test this particular feed enhancement material. There was no attempt to verify the trace mineral bio-incorporation (this is the basis of a second study) by the animals. Such analysis would include the need of testing by atomic chromatograph/plasma spectrograph/colorimeter, machines which the study group did not have access to.
A very low amount of traceable elements could be normally found in cattle with an average urinary function, after they have experienced the process of intestinal absorption. This along with readily test available quantities of saliva, mucus, feces and sweat could also provide testing universes but would again require more sophisticated monitoring equipment than is currently accessible by the testing study group.
Considering these limitations the determination of the absorption of the trace mineral compound would be observed externally comparing the two segregated mini-herds an their overall response to a supplemented diet. The anticipated changes expected in group A would include the visible changed of coat, the increased growth of hoof tissue, the weight gain, and the reduction of the toxicity level of different toxins inherent to the grain utilized in the manufacturing of the feedstuff Location.
Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Groups studied.
A control herd (group A) of 10 animals (black-white face cattle) taken at random from a larger herd was grazed on the clay enhanced lot. A second control herd (group B) of 10 animals (black-white face cattle) grazed the non-enhanced field. Within the population, a group of duplicate quantity of 7 heifers and 3 bulls, were isolated from each other, and allowed to graze and have access to the same diet as control group B except with control group A grazing on a field with approximately 2 tons of the 72 nano-element trace mineral Vitae-Myte™ formula added by the broadcast method to the field.
Length of study and dates.
The study was conducted during the months of February through June of 2007. Each group was weighed with the following schedule: 1) Weighed on February 19/07 and again on March 20/07 (lst cycle) 2) Weighed on April 27/07. (2nd cycle) 3) Weighted on May 23/07. (3rd cycle) 4) Weighed on June 25/07 (4th cycle)
Usage Percentage.
In accordance with FDA regulations both in the US and in Canada, the permissible amount of a Montmorillonite compound should not exceed a 2% limit. In this particular case it was decided to test the conversion capabilities of the 72 nano-elements Trace Mineral Formula (Vitae-Myte™), by feeding proportionally less prepared food daily than usual and dividing the administration of this supplement one time during the Initiation Phase at a ratio of less than 1%.
Observations.
A) The average daily weight gain observed on the animals treated with the Vitae-Myte™ was:
Males - 1.687 lb / day Females - 0.882 lb / day
B) The average daily weight gain observed on the animals not treated with the Vitae-Myte™ was:
Males - 0.914 lb / day Females - 0.699 lb / day
In addition, because the Trace Mineral Formula was added to the pre-existing feed program, which already included a mineral salt mix, the effects seen could be attributed to the use of the clay mineral formula. Since the main constituents of this formula are Calcium, Aluminum and Silica, the rest of the elements could be considered secondary in nature and effect. The traces of most of the other elements could be considered as acting synergically to obtain the reported effects. None of the other reported elements could be considered individually responsible for the observed weight gain, since the quantities present were too small to have an impact. Therefore, they must be acting within the humic montmorillonite calcium compound’s contribution as a whole.
Conclusions.
The use of this Calcium/Humic enriched Montmorillonite compound increased the conversion rate within the population supplemented with it. At the end of the test it became clear that the population treated with the trace mineral formula increased weight at a rate of almost double, compared to the group that was fed the same food, but did not receive the trace mineral formula.
One fact that seems important to consider is that the group of treated heifers totaled 7 and the group of treated bulls totaled 3. The test was not performed exclusively on steers, as it would be in many cattle weight gain operations, but instead on a mixed population of heifers and bulls. Since the heifers represented the largest part of study it should be noted that bulls were chosen instead of steers, which slowed down considerably the overall gain.
Even if a small amount of heifers were used in future studies where these trace minerals were supplemented, it is sensible to presume that the results would be largely increased in the number of total pounds gained, by a reduction of the female population and the use of the males from a population of steers and not as bulls.
In terms of phenotype, there was a clear that there was an even criterion of selection of the individuals. There was a visible difference between what we could consider the top of the field and the bottom. The average quality could be considered low.
Furthermore, several animals presented different degrees of lameness, predominantly laminitis, due to the hardened terrain when the tests were conducted. This was another parameter intended to be measured, since lame animals reduce the average gain of weight and affect the end result. When the population groups entered the second weighing, there was no significant lameness described. This could account for the same effects observed during the tests resulting in the “USDA Standard Method to treat Laminitis” and to reduce dietary intake for horses (in an earlier study), since the etiology and the end result appear to be the same.
No animals in the two groups died during the testing period.
Discussion:
To this comparative weight gain, we need to add the fact that, in effect, the minimum weight of slaughter had been achieved in 120 days. The non-treated animals, obviously, would not enter in this minimum weight (no less than 850 pounds per head at the time of slaughter) schedule, but rather would have to stay in the field a total of 6 months and 23 days, compared to the 120 days for the group supplemented with the trace mineral formula.
The obvious economic implication is that the savings obtained will be accounted for in days of production, which will be reduced with this finishing system.
The daily cost of feeding, per animal, would be the same whether the trace minerals are administered or not. This cost is independent of the price of administering the trace minerals.
This consideration makes it critical to enable the producer to try and achieve the maximum gain effect in the minimum amount of time, reducing expenses.
The feeding cost should not be considered in the final analysis of the use of trace minerals, since the estimated gain achieved with their use is higher than the one obtained with the traditional range feeding system. Therefore, the cost of the trace minerals should be extracted from the earnings achieved with its administration.
Since it is feasible to adjust the parameters to obtain three production groups per year, the difference in the amount of additional pounds will create the need to do this.
The animals in this study entered with an average of 650 lbs of weight and showed an average gain of 200 lbs during the four-month period; which will put them within the minimum average weight to slaughter acceptable of 850 lbs per animal.
Some other additives could be used to increase the body weight even more (such as Vitamin A and E). Monensin was not used in this trial, to allow the trace minerals to perform without any interference of other major feed ingredients.
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