A sow's milk is likely to be deficient in which important mineral?

Sow's milk is typically deficient in iron, which is crucial for the healthy growth and development of piglets. Newborn piglets are especially susceptible to iron deficiency because they are born with low levels of iron stored in their bodies and they have limited access to dietary iron from their environment during the first few days of life. Unlike other mammals, piglets do not receive sufficient amounts of iron from sow's milk, which means they are at risk for anemia if they do not receive iron supplementation shortly after birth.

Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin in red blood cells, and without enough iron, piglets can experience reduced oxygen transport in the body, leading to lethargy and poor growth. Therefore, it's crucial for producers to provide supplemental iron to piglets to prevent these issues, typically via intramuscular injections or iron-fortified feed. Understanding this deficiency is important for maintaining the health and productivity of swine operations.