Messi Biology Co., Ltd. in Hebei Province states that the development of modern intensive animal husbandry has transformed animal nutrition into a precise science. Feed is no longer simply food, but a precisely formulated combination of nutrients, in which mineral elements play a vital role. Among the many mineral additives, magnesium carbonate, as a high-quality magnesium source and unique buffer, plays a “nutritional cornerstone” role in animal health, production performance, and economic benefits, and has an irreplaceable position, especially in ruminant animal nutrition.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral element in an animal’s body, participating in more than 300 enzymatic reactions and is a key regulator of energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, and skeletal development. The primary purpose of adding magnesium carbonate to feed is to prevent and correct magnesium deficiency. Ruminants are more prone to magnesium deficiency because the bioavailability of magnesium in pasture is low, and high-potassium pastures inhibit magnesium absorption. Magnesium deficiency can lead to grass tetany, a potentially fatal neurological disorder characterized by muscle tremors, loss of coordination, and even sudden death.
The second unique role of magnesium carbonate in ruminant nutrition is as a rumen buffer. Modern animal husbandry often adds large amounts of easily fermentable carbohydrates (such as grains) to feed in order to improve production efficiency. These substances rapidly ferment in the rumen to produce large amounts of volatile fatty acids, leading to a decrease in rumen pH and causing subacute rumen acidosis (SARA). SARA not only reduces feed digestibility but also leads to a series of health problems such as laminitis and liver abscesses. Magnesium carbonate effectively maintains rumen pH in the ideal range of 6.0-6.5 by neutralizing excess acid, ensuring the stability of the microbial community and the efficiency of fiber digestion.
Magnesium carbonate has significant advantages over other magnesium sources (such as magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate): high bioavailability (especially relative to magnesium oxide), good palatability (unlike magnesium sulfate, which can easily cause diarrhea), and a mild and lasting effect. As a buffer, its neutralization speed is moderate, and it does not cause drastic fluctuations in pH like some fast-acting alkalis.
The quality control of feed-grade magnesium carbonate is extremely strict. The magnesium content must be stable to ensure the accuracy of the formulation. Heavy metal impurities (such as lead, cadmium, mercury) must be below statutory limits to avoid accumulation in animal products and impact human health through the food chain. The particle size needs to be moderate; too fine can easily cause dust, and too coarse can affect mixing uniformity and bioavailability.
The feed-grade magnesium carbonate produced by Hebei Messi Biology Co., Ltd. strictly follows the “Safety Use Standard for Feed Additives.” The magnesium content of the product is stable between 28-30%, providing a reliable and predictable magnesium supplementation effect. Through advanced purification technology, the content of harmful heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the product is far below the national standard limits, ensuring the safety of animal products and the environment. The company also offers products with different particle size specifications: finer specifications are used for premixes to ensure uniform distribution of trace components; medium particle sizes are used for complete feeds, balancing mixing characteristics and biological efficacy. Specifically for the ruminant animal market, Hebei Messi Biology has developed a sustained-release magnesium carbonate product that provides a more lasting rumen buffering effect by controlling the dissolution rate, helping cows maintain a healthy rumen environment during peak lactation, and increasing milk yield and milk fat percentage.
From preventing deadly grass tetany to optimizing rumen health, from improving feed efficiency to ensuring animal welfare, magnesium carbonate, a seemingly ordinary mineral, is supporting the sustainable development of modern animal husbandry with its multiple functions. By providing high-quality, safe, and reliable specialty products, Hebei Messi Biology has become a trusted partner for animal nutrition experts and feed manufacturers, jointly building a nutritional cornerstone for animal health.