Effectiveness of using a new method for optimizing micromineral nutrition of calves

Abstract

Adequate feeding implies the supply of all nutrients and energy with feeds in quantities that meet the body requirements to realize its genetic potential. These substances include trace elements. The effectiveness and feasibility of using a feed supplement containing a complex of trace elements in the form of selenium and cobalt aspartate nanoparticles (OMEK-Co) when raising calves of different levels are discussed. Both these trace elements greatly influence the viability of animals. Cobalt is present in the vitamin B12 molecule which ensures the normal state of the nervous system and is responsible for the formation and maturation of red blood cells. Selenium is important for the functioning of the thyroid gland, brain, liver and reproductive system. One of the most important indices that determine the level and usefulness of feeding calves is their live weight dynamics. Weighing at the end of the experiment showed that in terms of live weight, young animals from trial groups 1 and 2 had a significant advantage in this index (P < 0.01). The difference between the control and the first trial group was 1.43 kg, and the second group - 2.12 kg. This happened due the increase of average daily gains; in the first trial group, it amounted to 662.71 g; in the second trial group - 667.14 g, compared to 638.67 g in the control group. To obtain 1 kg of live weight gain, the calves from the control group spent by 0.2 energetic feed units more than their counterparts from the trial groups. The use of a complex trace element supplement based on selenium nanoparticles and cobalt aspartate obtained by the technology developed at the Vavilov University is economically beneficial as it ensures additional profit from the sale of livestock. Moreover, all indices improved in calves that received a diet supplemented with 1 mg of selenium and 2 mg of cobalt.