Optimising minerals in a sow’s diet Optimising minerals in a sow’s diet

Optimising minerals in a sow’s diet

Trace minerals like zinc, copper and manganese play essential roles in all stages of a sow’s reproductive cycle. These minerals support multiple essential functions in sow physiology, including performance, immune response and health.

How to recognise

Providing trace minerals in the wrong form and amount - either too low or too high - can result in negative outcomes for animal productivity. These include a reduced response to sow and litter health, smaller overall litter size, increased weaning weight for piglets, and potentially increased chance of premature culling.

The impact on the farmer

We encourage swine producers and nutritionists to work together to provide a cost-effective trace mineral source most capable of consistently meeting the needs of the animal. Continuous delivery of an optimised level of trace minerals is critical to enhancing a sow’s reproductive performance, health and overall well-being.