The addition form of trace elements

　　1. Inorganic Trace Element Additives

　　Inorganic trace element additives mainly consist of sulfates and oxides. Sulfates have higher biological efficacy but are more expensive, prone to moisture absorption, and may affect the stability of vitamins. Oxides, on the other hand, are less prone to these issues.

　　Advantages of Inorganic Trace Element Additives:

　　Simple production processes.

　　Affordable pricing.

　　Widely accepted by farmers and animal husbandry professionals.

　　Disadvantages:

　　These additives tend to absorb moisture and clump together, which can affect their stability.

　　They may not be efficiently absorbed by livestock, leading to the unabsorbed trace elements being excreted, which can result in environmental pollution.

　　The interactions and synergistic effects between different mineral elements are not fully understood, making it difficult to determine the optimal ratios for supplementation. In most cases, the addition amounts are based on empirical experience.

　　Currently, Fantast Bio Tech has made significant improvements in this area, particularly with Jianlebao series of inorganic trace elements, where clear and precise recommended addition amounts are provided.

　　2. Simple Organic Salt Additives for Trace Elements

　　Organic salts of trace elements, such as ferrous lactate, zinc gluconate, zinc citrate, and ferrous gluconate, are considered second-generation trace element additives. These organic salts have good solubility, are easier to absorb, and are more stable than inorganic salts, offering higher biological efficacy. However, the effectiveness of different organic acid chelated salts can vary significantly. Additionally, when used in aquaculture feed, these salts may dissolve easily, leading to greater losses.

　　Due to the complex production processes involved, amino acid chelates of trace elements are significantly more expensive, costing 3 to 5 times more than their inorganic salt counterparts. Even so, the return on investment for using organic trace elements is higher than that of inorganic mineral salts.

　　The main reason organic trace elements have not been widely adopted is that most farmers in China still practice decentralized and extensive farming methods. In rural farming areas, there is a large supply of inexpensive agricultural by-products used in animal feed. As a result, farmers often prefer to use these easily accessible and low-cost feed ingredients, without prioritizing the nutritional balance of their livestock.

　　Fantast Bio Tech would further master the interactions between trace elements and their relative bioavailability in the future. It is important to determine the sources and required amounts of different trace elements for livestock at various production stages. Additionally, Fantast Bio Tech will develop trace mineral additives that are suitable for China's resources and economically effective.