Sustainability in Broiler Production

In poultry production, sustainability has become more than a buzz word. Improvements in genetics and nutritional programs have advanced production efficiency to allow for more sustainable practices. Sustainability is a goal that ensures our industry continually evolves business practices to meet the needs of a growing population with limited resources. At Novus, our goal is to provide the industry with feed additives that help our customers achieve sustainable animal agriculture.

MINTREX® bis-chelated trace minerals have a defined and consistent structure, which give a high degree of protection to the mineral and provides stability in the digestive tract while minimizing reactions with antagonists. MINTREX® provides both increased mineral availability and a source of methionine activity in one product. MINTREX® helps reduce the environmental footprint of animal production by optimizing performance and reducing mineral excretion through nutrition, leading to improved profitability (Manangi et al., 2012, McElroy, 2019, University of Leuven, 2011).

Feeding MINTREX® using the REDUCE AND REPLACE™ program allows for reduced mineral levels in the diet while meeting the animal’s performance goals.

Compared to traditional inorganic trace minerals like oxides and sulfates, Novus’ bis-chelated organic trace minerals are more efficiently absorbed and utilized resulting in increased performance (Manangi et al., 2012, McElroy, 2019, University of Leuven, 2011).

MINTREX® bis-chelated trace minerals are also OMRI Listed® for use in certified organic operations under the USDA National Organic Program.

There are approximately 9 billion broilers produced in the U.S. each year. Feeding high levels of a less bioavailable mineral can have a negative impact on broiler performance and mineral excretion into the environment.

Several research trials with MINTREX® bis-chelated trace minerals show improvements in performance, welfare and sustainability. In two trials (Table 1 and Figure 1), MINTREX® bis-chelated trace minerals were fed using the REDUCE and REPLACE™ program where the overall levels of minerals are reduced and compared to higher levels of inorganic trace minerals. Results show that utilizing MINTREX® results in equal performance, improved footpad quality, stronger bones and less minerals excreted compared to broilers fed an industry ITM program. The REDUCE and REPLACE™ program gives producers the ability to adapt to tightened regulations and reduce environmental impact.