ferric glycinate vs ferrous sulfate

Iron Bisglycinate for Smarter Animal Nutrition If you work in feed formulation, you’ve heard about iron bisglycinate . To be honest, the hype isn’t just marketing. This chelated form—iron bound to two glycine molecules—has been steadily gaining ground because it’s gentler and typically more bioavailable than many inorganic salts. In pig production, especially those tricky first days of life, that matters a lot. What it is and why farms care Iron is critical for hemoglobin synthesis. iron bisglycinate has a stable chelate structure that helps protect iron through the gut, reducing antagonism with phytates and calcium. On farms, teams report fewer digestion issues versus ferrous sulfate, and better hemoglobin recovery in piglets. Actually, I’ve seen producers switch after trialing it for just one farrowing cycle. Typical applications 3–7-day-old piglets: oral pastes or creep feed fortified with iron bisglycinate to prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Pregnant/lactating sows: premixes to build iron reserves and support litter vitality. Ruminant starter feeds and pet premixes where tolerance and bioavailability are priorities. Product specifications (typical) Parameter Spec (≈) Method/Standard Assay (as Fe) ≥ 20.0% ICP-OES; FCC reference Loss on Drying ≤ 5.0% 105°C gravimetric Particle Size 80–200 mesh Sieve analysis Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, As) Meets feed limits ICP-MS; EU 2002/32 Shelf Life 24 months, sealed Real-world use may vary From plant to premix: process flow Origin: Xinle Industrial Park, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. A typical manufacturing run for iron bisglycinate looks like this: Materials: food/feed-grade ferrous source + glycine (≥99%). Chelation: controlled pH, inert atmosphere to limit oxidation; temperature-managed reactor. Stabilization: filtration, concentration, and spray drying for flowability. Testing: iron assay (ICP), chelate identity, heavy metals, microbiology (ISO 17025 labs). Packing: multi-layer bags with inner liner; humidity control. Dosing notes (practical) Always follow your nutritionist. As a ballpark, many premixes target 80–150 mg Fe/kg complete feed for piglets, with iron bisglycinate often covering part or all of that iron due to higher relative bioavailability. For newborn piglets, farms report success with early-life oral supplements when injections are not preferred. Vendor snapshot and customization Customization typically covers particle size, anti-caking agents, and tailored assay ranges for premix compatibility. Below is an at-a-glance comparison (observational, request current CoAs): Vendor Origin Certifications Fe Assay Lead Time Notes Fuyang Bio Hebei, China ISO 9001, ISO 22000, FAMI-QS (typ.) ≈20% 2–4 weeks Good on customization, consistent mesh control Vendor B EU FAMI-QS, GMP+ 19–20% 3–5 weeks Premium pricing; strong documentation Vendor C SEA ISO 22000 18–20% 4–6 weeks Competitive; check heavy-metal limits Field results (quick case) A 3,000-sow unit trialed iron bisglycinate in creep feed (targeting 120 mg Fe/kg). Over two farrowings, mean Hb at day 14 improved from 9.8 to 11.2 g/dL; scours did not increase, and mortality to weaning nudged down 0.4%. Not a miracle, but meaningful. As one manager said, “We got steadier pigs, and less mess in the farrowing rooms.” Quality, testing, and standards Conforms to FCC-style identity tests for ferrous bisglycinate; batch CoA with ICP iron, heavy metals, microbiology. Labs under ISO/IEC 17025 recommended; align with EU 2002/32 for undesirable substances. Packaging: 25 kg bags with PE liner; store cool and dry; avoid oxidation sources. Citations EFSA FEEDAP Panel. Scientific opinions on iron chelates of glycine hydrate for animal nutrition (EFSA Journal). Food Chemicals Codex (FCC). Monograph for ferrous bisglycinate. NRC. Nutrient Requirements of Swine, 12th ed. National Academies Press. EU Directive 2002/32/EC on undesirable substances in animal feed.