In a context where expectations around performance, animal welfare, and profitability are increasingly high, feeding can no longer rely solely on guesswork. Thanks to biological testing, it is now possible to fine-tune rations based on the actual needs of each animal or group. But you still need to know how to use those results effectively.
IODOLAB guides you in turning your test results into concrete nutritional decisions.
🧪 Why adapt nutrition based on analyses?
Deficiencies or imbalances can go unnoticed for weeks or even months before manifesting as visible issues: drops in performance, reproductive disorders, weakened immunity, digestive problems…
Mineral and vitamin analyses make it possible to :
- Confirm a suspected imbalance.
- Verify the effectiveness of a supplementation program.
- Anticipate deficiencies during sensitive phases (gestation, growth, dietary transition, high production periods…).
🐄 What to test ? For which animals ? And when ?
The analyses to target depend on the species, context, and objectives.
In ruminants :
- Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium: growth, lactation, parturition.
- Selenium, zinc, copper: immunity, reproduction.
- Vitamin E: muscle health, oxidative stress.
📌 Recommended around calving, during dietary transitions, or for replacement heifers.
In horses :
- Magnesium, zinc, iron: stress, performance, recovery.
- Vitamin D, B12: vitality, growth.
- Ca/P balance: bone strength.
📌 Useful for sport horses in training or recovery, or animals experiencing digestive disorders or recurring colic.
📈 How to interpret results ?
A “normal” value doesn’t always mean there is nothing to address.
- Reference values must be adapted to the species, age, and production stage.
- The nutritional context (type of ration, pasture access, mineral content) is crucial.
- Testing helps make decisions more objective: adjusting supplementation, avoiding overdosing, verifying natural mineral intake (water, soil, forages).
💡 Don’t hesitate to include the animal history when submitting analysis requests — this allows for a more precise interpretation of results.
✅ Concrete examples
🐄 A cow in early lactation shows subclinical hypocalcemia → adjustment of the mineral bolus post-calving.
🐎 An endurance horse is fatigued despite a good ration → magnesium deficiency detected → targeted supplementation → improved recovery.
🐐 Young female goats showing poor vigor → copper deficiency identified → correction through mineral supplementation → renewed vitality and growth restart.
👩🔬 How does IODOLAB support you ?
Beyond the testing itself, our team offers :
- Personalized commentary on results (upon request).
- Review in light of your animal history and the species involved.
- Direct exchanges with our biologists for specific cases.
Our goal : to make testing a true nutritional management tool, in service of your animals’ health.
📥 Need to test minerals or vitamins in your herd ?
Request a sample collection or contact us for advice on which analyses to carry out based on your situation.
