KeyShure Research Summary – Effects of an Organic Source of Copper, Manganese and Zinc on Dairy Cattle

Background

Providing adequate amounts of essential minerals is critical to maintain health and maximize productivity of dairy cows (NRC, 2001). Organic minerals can be described as nutritionally essential minerals attached to a carbon–hydrogen-based molecule which acts as a ligand. Ligands that are used most frequently include amino acids, peptides and proteins. In particular, complexes where a mineral is bonded to amino acids with at least two bonds from each amino acid are referred to as chelated minerals or mineral chelates. Chelates are less likely to be bound by antagonists in the rumen and are characterized by higher bioavailability and retention by the animal than inorganic minerals.