What is copper sulphate?
Copper sulphate is the sulphate salt of divalent copper. The pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) forms the familiar blue crystals and contains about 25% copper. The monohydrate (CuSO₄·H₂O) is a greyish-white to pale green powder with about 35% copper; its lower water content makes it more concentrated and generally easier to handle in premixes.
Copper sulphate dissolves readily in water, and its copper is considered well available to animals. It has long been the reference source against which the bioavailability of other copper sources is compared.
What does copper do in animal feed?
- Iron metabolism and blood formation: copper-containing enzymes such as ceruloplasmin are needed to mobilise iron for haemoglobin synthesis; deficiency can cause anaemia.
- Connective tissue and bone: the copper enzyme lysyl oxidase cross-links collagen and elastin, supporting bone, cartilage and blood vessel integrity.
- Antioxidant defence: copper is part of the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase enzyme.
- Pigmentation and wool: copper is needed for melanin formation and normal hair and wool structure.
- Energy metabolism, immunity and reproduction: copper is part of cytochrome c oxidase and supports normal immune and reproductive function.
Forms of copper in feed
- Copper sulphate pentahydrate: blue crystalline salt, about 25% Cu; widely used and inexpensive.
- Copper sulphate monohydrate: about 35% Cu; more concentrated, with less water to cause caking.
- Dicopper chloride trihydroxide (tribasic copper chloride): a water-insoluble inorganic source with a high copper content that is less reactive towards vitamins in premixes.
- Organic copper: copper chelates of amino acids or glycine, copper proteinates and hydroxy analogue chelates.
How is the copper requirement assessed?
Copper requirements vary with species, age and diet. In ruminants, molybdenum and sulphur in forage and water form thiomolybdates in the rumen that strongly reduce copper availability, so the copper level is assessed together with these antagonists. High dietary iron and zinc can also reduce copper absorption.
Sheep are much more sensitive to copper accumulation than cattle, and chronic copper toxicity can occur at levels that are safe for other species, so feeds and premixes for sheep must be formulated with particular care. Higher copper levels have been used in pig diets for growth promotion, but maximum levels are regulated by species in many countries; local regulations and the product label always prevail.
Quality criteria
- Guaranteed copper content, verified by analysis, and the stated hydrate form.
- Undesirable substances: lead, cadmium and arsenic within legal limits.
- Moisture, caking tendency and flowability; particle size suited to even distribution in the premix.
- Stability in the premix: copper sulphate is a pro-oxidant and can accelerate the breakdown of sensitive vitamins, so premix design, carrier choice and storage time matter.
- Certificate of analysis (CoA) and lot traceability.
CTF Premix and copper sulphate
Copper sulphate can be included in CTF Premix's mineral and vitamin-mineral premixes according to the customer's formulation, with the copper source and level matched to the target species, including separate low-copper designs for sheep. Premixes are produced at our Ankara facility under ISO 9001:2015 and GMP, and every lot has a certificate of analysis and lot traceability.
This page is for general information. Inclusion rates and product choice should be decided with a nutritionist, taking into account the species, the feed formulation and the applicable regulations.