How Calcium Iodate Is Used in Animal Feed

People use calcium iodate in animal farming as a dietary supplement to provide iodine nutrition to livestock. Iofina Chemical, Iofina’s derivative manufacturing division in Kentucky, can supply calcium iodate in both research and commercial scale quantities. Iofina Chemical is vertically integrated with Iofina Resources which produces iodine from brine solutions out of oil and gas fields at our multiple IOsorb® plants throughout Oklahoma.

Calcium Iodate Uses

Farmers prefer calcium iodate over other iodine sources in animal feeds due to its stability and high iodine content. Iodine in your animals’ diet helps them deal with climate impacts because it aids in keeping body temperature constant when the outside temperature is above or below the animals’ thermoneutral zone. 

Various other uses of calcium iodate in animal farming include:

• Iodine supplementation: Animals require iodine for various physiological functions. Iodine is crucial for the synthesis of thyroid hormones — thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) — which regulate energy metabolism, growth and development in animals.
• Prevention of iodine deficiency: Livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats and swine, require iodine in their diets to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. These disorders can lead to reproductive issues, such as infertility and abortion, as well as growth and metabolic abnormalities. A severe iodine deficiency causes a lack of essential thyroid hormone production, making the thyroid gland enlarge in the throat area — mainly affecting lambs and kids. 
• Bioavailability: Iodate is often chosen for its high bioavailability, meaning that iodine from calcium iodate is readily absorbed and utilized by the animal’s body. 
• Health benefits: Adequate iodine intake through calcium iodate supplementation supports overall animal health, including immune response. Calcium iodate is typically incorporated into animal feed formulations in measured amounts to meet the nutritional requirements of different species and production stages. An example amount is 2 milligrams I/kilograms for dairy cows. 

Is Calcium Iodate Safe?

Calcium iodate is a safe source of iodine for all animal species when used up to the currently authorized maximum content of total iodine in whole feed. 

Experience the Benefits of Calcium Iodate in Animal Feed

At Iofina, our iodine extraction method is the most eco-friendly in the industry, furthering our clients’ confidence in protecting the environment. Explore our diverse range of iodine products to find the right option for your applications, reach out for more information or request product details. Reduce the risk of iodine deficiency in your animals, improve animal health and increase productivity with calcium iodate.