Development of a Neonatal Mineral and Vitamin Supplement to Improve Health in Calves, Lambs and Piglets

新生儿营养补充是更健康、更健壮的幼畜的护理和发育的新前沿，这些幼畜将更好地准备应对当前和未来畜牧业生产系统的疾病和生产挑战。发表的文献和在艾伯塔省进行的初步工作表明，主要的矿物质和维生素缺乏是铁(Fe)、硒(Se)、维生素A、维生素B12、维生素D3和维生素E。目前，市场上没有单一的补充剂产品来解决所有这些不足。该项目涉及开发、评估和优化一种易于管理的小牛犊、羔羊和仔猪口服补充剂，以解决营养不足和改善健康问题。该产品不含任何抗生素、离子载体或激素。这项研究将有助于制定最佳管理实践，并将通过提高盈利能力、动物健康和福利以及提高消费者接受度来支持加拿大的畜牧业。动物健康和免疫功能的改善可能会导致抗生素的使用减少；这是畜牧业的关键目标。将在莱克兰学院的学生管理农场(SMF)以及行业合作伙伴农场进行为期两年的实地研究，以评估艾伯塔省兽医实验室开发的一种矿物质和维生素补充剂对700多名新生儿的益处。莱克兰学院的学生将通过参与综合知识传播计划来培养动手研究能力、行业关系和沟通技能，此外还将接触到积极、全面和可持续的畜牧业实践。

Neonate nutritional supplementation is a new frontier in the care and development of healthier, more robust young animals that will be better prepared to handle the disease and production challenges of current and future livestock production systems. Published literature and preliminary work performed in Alberta has shown that the major mineral and vitamin deficiencies are Iron (Fe), Selenium (Se), Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin E. Currently, there is no single supplement product on the market to address all these deficiencies. This project involves the development, evaluation and optimization of an easy to administer oral supplement for young calves, lambs and piglets to address nutritional deficiencies and improve health. The product will not contain any antibiotics, ionophores or hormones. This research will enable the development of best management practices and will support Canada's livestock industry through enhanced profitability, animal health and welfare, and improved consumer acceptance. Improved animal health and immune function could lead to reduced antibiotic use; a key target of the livestock industry. Field studies will be conducted over two years at Lakeland College's Student Managed Farm (SMF), as well as industry partner farms, to assess the benefit of a mineral and vitamin supplement developed by Alberta Veterinary Laboratories on more than 700 neonates. Lakeland College students will develop hands-on research competencies, industry connections and communication skills through participation in an integrated knowledge dissemination program, in addition to being exposed to proactive, holistic and sustainable animal husbandry practices.