Replacing inorganic trace minerals with organic trace minerals with or without an exogenous amylase in the diet of finishing feedlot bulls - growth performance, carcass parameters, and rumen morphology

Sep 28, 2026

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The study evaluated how reduced organic trace minerals (OTM), provided in proteinate forms and with Se-yeast, compare with inorganic trace minerals (ITM) when an exogenous amylase is included or omitted in finishing Nellore bulls. One hundred and twenty yearlings were assigned to 24 pens under a 2×2 factorial design. No trace mineral–amylase interaction appeared. OTM tended to improve ADG and gain-to-feed. Amylase increased dry matter intake without changing growth, carcass traits, or rumen morphology, and reduced OTM showed no adverse effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages7

Reading Time18 min

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Introduction

Replacing inorganic trace minerals with organic trace minerals with or without an exogenous amylase in the diet of finishing feedlot bulls: growth performance, carcass parameters, and rumen morphology D. Polli1,3, D. D. Millen2,, M. B. Gasparim3, L. T. Feba3, R. C. N. Dinardi1, G. M. Fogaça1, G. O. Ribeiro4,, L. J. F. Campos5, L. F. Costa e Silva5, M. C. S. Pereira1, *, 1College of Agricultural and Technological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Dracena, SP, 17915-899, Brazil 2School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil 3Gasparim Animal Nutrition, Presidente Bernardes, SP, 19300-000, Brazil 4Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada 5Alltech do Brasil Agroindustrial LTDA, Maringá, PR, 87030-405, Brazil *Corresponding [author:](author: murillo.stefano@unesp.br)[ murillo.stefano@unesp.br](author: murillo.stefano@unesp.br) Abstract This study assessed the growth, carcass traits, and rumen morphology of feedlot cattle fed reduced levels of organic trace minerals (OTM) in proteinate forms and Se-yeast, replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITM) sources in combination with exogenous amylase. One hundred and twenty commercial yearling Nellore bulls with an initial body weight (BW) of 349.20 ± 22.90 kg were allocated to 24 pens. The study employed a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Factors included ITM or OTM sources/level with or without exogenous amylase (Amaize, Alltech, Maringá, PR, Brazil [0 .5 g/kg of dry matter]) . The ITM supplement contained Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in sulfate form, with Se provided as sodium selenite. The OTM supplement provided Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in proteinate form at 50% of the levels supplied by the ITM supplement, while Se, as Se-yeast, was included at the same level as in the ITM supplement. Both supplements also contained Cr as Cr-yeast and I as sodium iodide. Cattle were fed the same diets, except for the inclusion of trace minerals and exogenous amylase. There was no interaction ( P ≥ 0. 12) between trace mineral and exogenous amylase for any variable evaluated. Cattle fed OTM tended to have higher average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.07) and gain-to-feed (G: F) ratio ( P = 0.06) compared to cattle fed ITM. Cattle fed exogenous amylase had greater dry matter intake (DMI), whether measured in kg/d ( P = 0.03) or as a percentage of BW ( P = 0.02), with no ( P ≥0. 10) effect on ADG and G: F ratio compared to cattle not fed exogenous amylase. There was no main effect of trace mineral or exogenous amylase inclusion ( P ≥ 0. 15) on any of the carcass traits evaluated, except for final Biceps femoris fat thickness ( P = 0.05), which were higher in cattle fed OTM. Rumenitis score and rumen morphology were also not different ( P ≥0. 14) . Overall, feeding reduced OTM levels did not exert adverse effects on growth, carcass traits, or rumen morphology in feedlot Nellore cattle, while modestly enhancing ADG, G: F ratio, and Biceps femoris fat thickness compared to ITM sources. The exogenous amylase inclusion increased DMI without differences in ADG, G: F ratio, carcass characteristics, or rumen morphology. Lay Summary This study evaluated whether replacing traditional inorganic trace minerals in cattle diets with lower levels of more bioavailable organic trace minerals, along with selenium yeast, could maintain or improve cattle performance when used with or without an added digestive enzyme (amylase) . One hundred and twenty yearling Nellore bulls were fed diets that differed only in the type and level of trace minerals provided and whether amylase was included. Organic minerals were given at half the amount of inorganic minerals, except for selenium, which was kept the same. Results showed that organic minerals, even at reduced levels, supported cattle growth and efficiency as well as inorganic minerals, and

FAQs

What was the main objective of this study?

To determine whether replacing inorganic trace minerals with reduced levels of more bioavailable organic trace minerals, with or without exogenous amylase, would maintain or improve growth, carcass traits, and rumen morphology in finishing feedlot bulls.

Did trace mineral source interact with exogenous amylase?

No. The study found no interaction between trace mineral source/level and exogenous amylase for any evaluated variable.

How did organic trace minerals and exogenous amylase affect performance?

OTM tended to increase average daily gain and gain-to-feed versus ITM, and final Biceps femoris fat thickness was higher with OTM. Exogenous amylase increased dry matter intake, but did not change ADG, gain-to-feed, carcass characteristics, or rumen morphology.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Himbo