Copper, Zinc and Vitamin E Supplementation in Diets of Growing-Finishing Swine

Pigs gain at a somewhat faster rate when diets are supplemented with copper at a level of 250 parts per million (ppm). Other minerals appear to interact with copper in the metabolism of the pig. It has been observed that zinc supplied in the diet with copper decreased the amount of copper stored in the liver. One of the objectives of this study was to obtain further information on the value of copper in swine diets and to determine the effect of a high level of zinc on liver copper storage. Another objective of this experiment was to study the effect of supplemental vitamin E in swine diets. Although some experiment stations have reported vitamin E deficiencies in pigs, a previous report from this station (A.S. Series 70-32, 1970 Swine Field Day) did not indicate any value of supplemental vitamin E in diets for growing-finishing pigs