Sapropel as a feeding additive in animal husbandry

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to identify the benefi cial properties of sapropel as a feed additive in animal husbandry. Sapropel is one of the most promising substances as an environmentally friendly and high-quality organomineral fertilizer. In most practice-oriented works devoted to the use of sapropel, this bio-raw material is considered either as an earth layer in geological research, or as a natural fertilizer in crop production. The benefi cial properties of sapropel make it possible to obtain higher yields, both in large agricultural holdings and on private land. However, the issue of using sapropel as the feed additive in animal husbandry has not been suffi ciently developed by science. That is why the article summarized the data collected in modern Russian and foreign scientifi c sources, namely studies confi rming the benefi cial eff ect of sapropel as a feed additive on the body of animals, including of dairy cows. This chemical composition of sapropel on the example of an organomineral feed additive “Feed Sapropel” has been discussed in the article. The chemical composition of sapropel was studied in accordance with quality standards by the testing laboratory “Elma-test”. The elements contained in the studied feed additive have been described in the article in detail. It was experimentally revealed that the content of all useful mineral substances, except iron and sulfur, in the test sample exceeded the normative indicators. After analyzing the content of toxic substances in the studied material, and revealing their extremely low content, the authors came to the conclusion that this additive, if properly introduced into the diets, will not harm animals. The authors conclude that sapropel contains many substances that animals need for normal growth and development, as well as to maintain high productivity.