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

新生儿营养补充是照顾和发展更健康、更健壮的幼畜的新领域，这些幼畜将更好地应对当前和未来畜牧生产系统的疾病和生产挑战。发表的文献和在阿尔伯塔进行的初步研究表明，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可以解决所有这些缺陷。该项目涉及开发、评估和优化一种易于管理的口服补充剂，用于犊牛、羔羊和仔猪，以解决营养缺乏和改善健康。本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做法，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畜牧业。改善动物健康和免疫功能可以减少抗生素的使用；畜牧业的主要目标。实地研究将在Lakeland学院的学生管理农场（SMF）以及工业合作农场进行两年多的时间，以评估阿尔伯塔兽医实验室开发的矿物质和维生素补充剂对700多名新生儿的益处。除了接触主动、全面和可持续的畜牧业实践外，莱克兰学院的学生还将通过参与综合知识传播计划，培养动手研究能力、行业联系和沟通技巧。

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.