2023-05-16 17:42:31
Phosphorus deficiency in soils and staple foods for animal feed production is a significant challenge for Brazilian agriculture. Cooperation between government, industry and rural producers, investment in research and development of innovative technologies, adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and training of trained professionals are fundamental measures to face this challenge and guarantee the quality, competitiveness and sustainability of the animal production in Brazil.
Brazilian soils generally have a significant deficiency in phosphorus. This mineral, vital for the development and maintenance of the biological functions of animals, plays a fundamental role in the commercial production of cattle, poultry and pigs. Their scarcity in soils and staple foods, such as corn and soybeans, makes nutritional supplementation a crucial practice to ensure the health and productivity of these animals.
Study from the Campinas Agronomic Institute demonstrates that the gain in efficiency in the use of phosphorus would reduce the amount to be added to maintain the desired production. “The concept of efficient use of phosphorus might alternatively be seen as a warning to reduce nutrient losses through excessive applications or to avoid soil impoverishment when additions occur below removals by agricultural products”.
Phosphorus plays a very important role in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. The deficiency of this mineral can cause problems with growth, reproduction and even lead to the death of animals. In the case of cattle, both in meat and milk production, phosphorus supplementation is of paramount importance. An inadequate diet can compromise weight gain, milk production and reproductive performance of animals, directly impacting the profitability of producers.
For poultry and pigs, the staple foods in feed production are corn and soybeans, which are also low in phosphorus. In these cases, the use of phosphate in food supplementation is essential to meet the needs of the animals and ensure their proper development. The most common phosphates used in animal feed are dicalcium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate, which have prominent positions due to their nutritional efficiency.
According to Marcelo Rodrigues, national manager of phosphates at Katrium Chemical Industries, dicalcium phosphate is the main and noblest source of phosphorus used in the production of animal feed – for all species and breeding stages. “After calcium, phosphorus is the macromineral with the highest concentrations in the animal organism. In reality, it does not exist as a free element, as it is very reactive, but in the form of phosphates – being fundamental in bone and dental structures, in addition to several other metabolic functions. In other words, it is an essential mineral for animal life”.
Rodrigues explains that dicalcium phosphate is usually obtained by the neutralization reaction of high quality phosphoric acid with a source of calcium, usually calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate. Phosphoric acid, in turn, is the product of the reaction between reactive phosphate rock with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. “It is a complex process, with few producers in the world”, he adds.
According to the executive, although Brazil has many phosphate rock mines, they are not enough to meet domestic demand. Therefore, the import of finished products and raw materials is mandatory. It is worth remembering that phosphate rock is also a raw material for the production of phosphate fertilizers, consumed by large-scale agriculture – which justifies its high demand in world markets.
“Brazil is one of the largest meat producers and exporters in the world. Therefore, the deficiency of phosphorus in the soil and in basic foodstuffs for the production of animal feed represents a challenge for the agricultural sector”, says Rodrigues. “It is necessary to look for sustainable alternatives to increase the availability of this nutrient in the soil, such as the application of phosphate fertilizers, the use of plant species that absorb and make more phosphorus available, and the adoption of agricultural practices that minimize soil erosion and runoff. ”.
The search for sustainable and efficient solutions is fundamental to face the challenge posed by phosphorus deficiency in soils and basic foodstuffs for animal feed production. Adopting appropriate agricultural practices and making producers aware of the importance of phosphorus supplementation are essential measures to ensure the quality and competitiveness of Brazilian agricultural products in the global market.
Cooperation between government, industry and rural producers is essential to face these challenges and seek integrated and sustainable solutions. Joint actions, such as the implementation of public policies to encourage research and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, can contribute to improving the availability of phosphorus in soils and in animal feed.
“It is imperative that all those involved in the Brazilian agricultural sector are aware of the importance of phosphorus in animal nutrition and work together to develop and implement strategies that allow overcoming the challenges presented by the deficiency of this nutrient in soils and food. The success of this integrated approach will translate into significant benefits for the productivity, profitability and sustainability of national agriculture”, defends the Katrium executive.
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