Yet despite the widespread use of organic trace minerals (OTMs), one important misconception continues to exist in the industry: that all organic trace minerals are the same.

Looking Beyond Inclusion Levels
When evaluating trace mineral programs, discussions often focus on inclusion rates, mineral concentration, and cost per ton of feed.

However, the true value of a trace mineral is not determined simply by how much is added to a formulation. Rather, it is determined by how much of that mineral is available for absorption and utilization by the bird. This distinction becomes increasingly important in modern poultry production.

Many producers experiencing challenges like, inconsistent performance, reduced meat quality, or variability in the flock focus on nutrient inclusion. Yet nutrients can only contribute to biological functions if they successfully reach the absorption sites where they are needed.

As poultry genetics continue to advance, nutritional efficiency has become just as important as nutritional adequacy. This shift is causing nutritionists to move beyond a simple question of: “How much mineral is in the feed?” to a more important question: “How much mineral is actually available to the bird?”

Understanding the Challenge: Mineral Antagonism
Trace minerals perform important functions throughout the bird’s body. Zinc, copper, and manganese act as cofactors for numerous enzymes involved in bone formation, connective tissue development, collagen synthesis, skin integrity, antioxidant defense, and immune function.

However, the digestive tract is a highly complex environment. As minerals move through digestion, they encounter changes in pH and interactions with dietary compounds such as phytate, fiber components, and even other minerals. These interactions can reduce mineral availability before absorption occurs.

This phenomenon, referred to as mineral antagonism, helps explain why increasing mineral inclusion does not always result in improved mineral utilization. Simply feeding more minerals does not necessarily mean the bird receives more minerals. In many situations, the challenge is not supply. The challenge is bioavailability.

Dietary antagonisms can reduce mineral availability before absorption occurs, limiting nutrient utilization despite adequate inclusion levels

Organic Trace Minerals: A Category, Not a Chemistry
To help improve mineral bio-availability, the industry increasingly adopted organic trace minerals. However, the term “organic trace mineral” can create confusion. Some assume that all OTMs provide similar benefits because they belong to the same category. In reality, organic trace minerals represent a broad group of products that may differ substantially in:
· Ligand type
· Ligand-to-mineral ratio
· Molecular structure
· Bonding characteristics
· Electrical charge of the molecule
· Stability in Upper Digestive Tract
These differences influence how minerals behave in the gastrointestinal tract and how effectively they remain available for absorption. In other words, two products may both be labelled as organic trace minerals while functioning very differently inside the bird.

Why Chelation Matters
Among organic trace minerals, one class stands out from the others: bis-chelates. The word chelate originates from the Greek word chela, meaning crab claw or pincer. Similar to two crabs holding a metal securely giving it the maximum protection a Chelate forms when a ligand connects to a metal atom at more than two points. A 2 five member rings connected to the metal with two points of contact is the most stable complex found in nature. This structure helps provide protection compared with less defined mineral associations. However, not all organic trace minerals are true chelates. True chelates require a neutral charge to protect the mineral and enhance stability. Not all organic trace minerals (OTMs) provide a neutral charge; therefore, not all OTMs are true chelates. Some products are better described as complexes, proteinates, or other association forms. While they are still classified as organic trace minerals, they can differ significantly in chemical stability and behavior during digestion. The degree of protection provided by the mineral structure ultimately determines how vulnerable the mineral may be to antagonistic interactions.
Differences exist among chelates, too. There are chelates where one ligand is bound to the metal and then there are bis-chelates where two ligands are bound, creating a neutral charge and making the molecule less susceptible to antagonism. (see image)

Why Molecular Structure Matters
Research continues to demonstrate that mineral structure influences stability and bio-availability. When minerals dissociate during digestion, they become charged ions that are more likely to interact with negatively charged compounds such as phytate, fiber complexes and other minerals. These interactions can reduce availability before absorption occurs.

For this reason, increasing attention is being given to mineral structures specifically designed to maintain stability throughout digestion. One such approach is bis-chelation technology.

Bis-chelated trace minerals are characterized by a defined molecular structure consisting of one mineral ion bound to two ligands, creating two stable chelate rings. This unique architecture helps maintain structural integrity while moving through the digestive tract.
An equally important feature is their neutral molecular charge. Because neutrally charged molecules are less likely to participate in unwanted interactions, the structure helps protect the mineral, reducing opportunities for antagonism and supporting mineral availability until absorption occurs.

Bis-chelated trace minerals feature a defined molecular structure designed to support stability and mineral availability during digestion.

The Future of Trace Mineral Nutrition
As poultry production evolves, mineral nutrition must evolve with it. The industry’s next opportunity may not come from increasing mineral inclusion rates but from improving how effectively minerals are utilized by the bird. This requires looking beyond product categories and focusing on the scientific characteristics that influence mineral availability. Organic trace minerals can provide significant advantages over traditional inorganic sources. However, not all organic trace minerals are created equal. Their molecular structure matters. Their stability matters. And ultimately, their ability to deliver minerals to the animal matters.

As nutritionists continue searching for ways to improve performance consistency, skeletal integrity, meat quality, and return on investment, bis-chelated trace minerals are an increasingly important technology because they combine defined structure, enhanced stability, and optimized bioavailability into a scientifically designed mineral solution.

Contact your local NOVUS representative to learn more about bis-chelated trace minerals from the company that brought the technology to the animal agriculture industry over 20 years ago.

CHESTERFIELD, MO (September 4, 2024) – (September 4, 2024) – A new director at NOVUS is driving innovation at the intelligent nutrition company.

Gaurav Shah recently joined NOVUS as the new associate director of innovation and business development. He is responsible for routing Novus’ innovation pipeline and strategy in the newly created role.

“While we’re working internally on new projects, services, and solutions, we know there is a whole world of innovation beyond our labs,” says Associate Vice President of Global Strategic Marketing, Technology and Innovation, Abishek Shingote. “It’s not enough for us to say we will be innovative; we have to do it. Gaurav’s focus is on business development that will drive new growth and support our customers globally.”

At NOVUS, Shah is updating the company’s innovation capabilities by leveraging its open innovation model.

“Something that can slow down innovation is being stuck in your competencies or feeling the need to fully own new competencies before developing something,” Shah says. “With open innovation, the goal is to work closely with start-ups, universities, established companies, and even customers that are already competent in what we want to do. We’re joining forces with those partners to deliver value to the industry.”

Understanding that new ideas, technology, and services can come from many different places, Shah says NOVUS is looking for partnerships that match its strategic interests: animal nutrition and health feed additives that lead to better performance.

“NOVUS has a good track record of delivering disruptive technology – like the first liquid methionine, the first bis-chelated trace minerals, and now embedding functional additives in corn kernels with INTERIUS Technology,” he says. “So, finding partners that can help us deliver something new through INTERIUS Technology is certainly a goal.”

Shah says for NOVUS innovation is not a “good to have” it’s a “need to have” and that the new open innovation platform coupled with his efforts to connect the company to external partners will mean big things for customers and the feed additive industry in the years to come.

“The fact that we’re investing in new and expanded technologies and that we’ve created a very clear structure to evaluate ideas and partnerships and bring products to market shows NOVUS is serious about innovation. We’re ready to talk with others who are too.”

Shah comes to the leader in intelligent nutrition after serving as business development manager for BioResource International, Inc. (BRI), and as global director of the feed digestibility category at Adisseo. His education includes a master’s degree in microbial biotechnology from North Carolina State University (U.S.) and a post-graduate degree in patent law and intellectual property.

(Source https://www.novusint.com/)

BENGALURU, INDIA (February 7, 2024) – NOVUS recently named Dr. Manish Kumar Singh its new regional director for NOVUS in South Central Asia.  In this role, Dr. Singh is responsible for developing and executing the Novus business strategy in the region.

“Asia represents a huge opportunity for growth for NOVUS,” says Vaibhav Nagpal, DVM, NOVUS vice president and managing director for Asia. “Manish has extensive expertise about the market and the customers throughout South Central Asia. He also has the confidence of his colleagues to make sound, strategic decisions that will help grow the business in the region. With 15 years of experience working in South Asia and Asia-Pacific regions in various roles, I am sure he will strengthen the NOVUS team and grow the business.”

Dr. Singh says his top priority in the new role is his colleagues.

“I aim to build a culture of trust by fully engaging my colleagues,” he says. “Agriculture is a business about animals and plants, but the foundation is people. It takes many people in many roles working together to produce high-quality, safe, nutritious food. By fostering a collaborative working environment across all my teams, we will be more successful as a trusted partner for all our customers and stakeholders.”

Speaking about the poultry and dairy customers in South Central Asia, Dr. Singh says there are many opportunities for intelligent nutrition from NOVUS to positively impact animal performance and help producers achieve their goals.

“Feed cost is a top concern for producers worldwide. We can help optimize feed costs and affect the impact of anti-nutritional factors through our knowledge about feedstuffs along with our CIBENZA® Enzyme Feed Additive,” he says. “Meat consumption and processing is on the rise; we have solutions for those concerned about meat quality, growth efficiency, and structural health. Our team also has global expertise in maternal health that, partnered with the use of MINTREX® Bis-Chelated Trace Minerals, can help optimize the reproductive performance.”

As an international company, Dr. Singh said NOVUS has a dedicated team of in-house technical experts and renowned third-party consultants to support producers as they work to improve gut health and immune system function and implement antibiotic-free production.

“Through an integrated approach combining technical know-how with gut health products like AVIMATRIX® Feed Solution and NEXT ENHANCE® Feed Solution, we are helping create effective ABF production,” he says.

Dr. Singh says following the initial success of the NOVUS dairy team in India, the company has invested more resources, allowing further expansion in this market. The goal is to reach more customers and bring innovative solutions backed by scientific research to the largest dairy market in the world.

“There are many challenges and opportunities in dairy production. NOVUS has decades’ worth of research and commercial trials demonstrating how we can improve milk fat production and reproductive performance,” he says. “On the challenge side, we have products that are shown to reduce somatic cell count and manage lameness to improve productivity and extend the herd’s longevity. This is an important growth market for NOVUS and we have a lot to offer.”

Dr. Singh came to NOVUS in 2019 to serve as the head of strategic marketing and technical services for South Central Asia before leading the marketing team for the Asia-Pacific region. He held roles at Cargill and Alltech before coming to NOVUS.

(Source : https://www.novusint.com/)

                 Dr. Gnanasekar Rangasamy                     Dr. Chetan Shembekar                      Dr. Ajay Singh

BENGALURU, INDIA (6 December 2023) – Achieving the maximum output of milk yield and components is the goal of any dairy farm. In an upcoming webinar series, the dairy experts from NOVUS will share their insights on how dairy farmers and feed mills in India can optimize their cows’ and feed performance.

The first sessions of the webinar series called Balancing Act: Optimizing Milk Fat and Protein through Intelligent Nutrition will take place in two parts: Part One at 4:00 p.m. (IST) on December 20 and Part Two at 4:00 p.m. (IST) on January 24, 2024.

The dairy team in India is very excited to host its first-ever webinar, which explores the crucial role nutrition plays in milk and component production,” says Gnanasekar Rangasamy (Dr. GS), M.V.Sc, species solutions manager – dairy for the Asia region. “Over the course of the two webinars, the team will share the factors that impact fat and solids-not-fat (SNF), innovative feeding practices, the importance of data when planning nutritional strategies, and how milk quality impacts the financial outcomes for dairy farmers.”

Part One will feature Chetan Shembekar, M.V.Sc., NOVUS technical services specialist, as he shares how different types of feed material impact both milk production and incidents of milk fat depression.

“It’s not just the quantity of feed but the quality and type of feed that can impact milk production,” Shembekar says. “It’s important that dairy farmers understand their options and know the effect feed can have on milk, fat and SNF production.”

During Part Two, Dr. GS will discuss the influence of genetics, providing a comprehensive overview of how different breeds perform, which breeds are more susceptible to milk fat production challenges, and how to identify unprofitable cows that need nutrition or management intervention.

Ajay Singh, M.V.Sc., senior technical services specialist, will provide an overview of sub-clinical mastitis and what can be done to reduce the risk of this common and costly disease.

“Udder health is necessary for good milk production,” Singh says. “Understanding mastitis allows farmers to determine the steps they can take to ensure cow health and comfort.”

NOVUS is the intelligent nutrition company providing solutions for the global animal agriculture industry. The company’s portfolio includes bis-chelated organic trace minerals, enzymes, organic acids, essential oils, liquid and dry methionine, as well as a network of experts around the world to provide guidance on management best practices.

Click here to register for one or both parts of the series.

Novus International, Inc. is the intelligent nutrition company. We combine global scientific research with local insights to develop innovative, advanced technology to help protein producers around the world achieve better results. Novus is privately owned by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. Headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, U.S.A. novusint.com.