A survey of current feeding regimens for vitamins and trace minerals in the US swine industry
Materials and methods: A convenience sample survey of nutritionists from 18 US swine production systems representing approximately 2.3 million sows or 40% of the US sow herd was conducted to characterize added vitamin and trace mineral concentrations in swine diets. Data were compiled by dietary phases to determine descriptive statistics. Nutrients evaluated were vitamins A, D, E, and K; biotin; choline; folic acid; niacin; pantothenic acid; pyridoxine; riboflavin; thiamin; vitamin B12; betaine; vitamin C; carnitine; copper; iodine; iron; manganese; selenium; zinc; cobalt; and chromium. Questions about supplementation of vitamin D from a cross linked vitamin AD3 beadlet, potential use of natural (d alpha tocopherol) vitamin E as a source of vitamin E, and the use of chelated trace minerals were included.