Feeding Amino Acid Chelated Copper and Zinc to Reduce Mineral Pollution From Swine Manure

High Zn and Cu fecal concentrations impact the environment. Zn and Cu reductions in feed have compromised swine performance. Substituting amino acid chelated (AAC) sources for traditionally employed inorganic salts (IM) may overcome environmental and swine performance problems. A preliminary study demonstrated less 65 Zn was deposited in rat feces due to greater AAC absorption compared to IM (P < 0.01). This led to a second study using 128 third parity sows from a closed herd divided into 4 equal groups. A supplement containing 27.5 µg/g Cu (from Cu AAC or CuSO 4 ) was given to 2 groups. A second supplement containing 392.9 µg/g Zn (from Zn AAC or ZnSO 4 ) was given to the other groups. Supplementation continued daily for 21 days in normal feed rations. On Day 21, total 24-hour fecal output from each pig was assayed for either Cu or Zn. Pigs fed AAC had significantly less Cu (P < 0.01) and Zn (P < 0.05) in their feces compared to pigs consuming IM. This demonstrated that supplementing swine rations with Cu and Zn AAC could lower environmental impact through reduced fecal mineral concentrations. Due to greater AAC bioavailability, feed rations could potentially be formulated with lower inclusions of Cu and Zn, without compromising swine’s performance.