Abstract: A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance during periods of heat stress involves determining the non-livestock ruminant animal is experiencing heat stress during a period of heat stress conditions, and feeding the heat stressed non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including an amount of the phytogenic composition that is effective to improve performance. A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance in anticipation of periods of heat stress involves determining a potential for heat stress is increased based on one or more of historical weather patterns or short-term forecasts, and feeding the non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including the phytogenic composition based on the determined potential for heat stress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to feed compositions that can modify the feeding behavior of animals. Supplements can be added to no or low roughage rations that improve the performance of animals. In particular, the addition of calcium chloride to a low or no roughage ration can increase the number of feedings but decrease the amount of feeding per meal. This can result in promoting enhances feed conversion and better cost of feed to weight gain.

Abstract: The present invention includes extruded livestock feed particles comprising a high level of fat and methods of making these animal feed particles. The particles are palatable and digestible by the livestock animals and lead to an enhanced energy intake by the animals. The particles are also flowable. The method includes the use of a vacuum coater to incorporate the fat into extruded animal feed particles. The present invention also includes methods of feeding dairy cows.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Isoflavone-supplemented milk replacers fed to young animals during a pre-weaning provides isoflavones in the milk replacer at a level of about 700 mg per kilogram of the milk replacer, and/or provides about 450 mg of the supplemental isoflavone in at least about 1.5 pounds of the milk replacer by dry weight such that the animal ingests this amount of the isoflavone per day, and/or provides in the milk replacer at least about 50 mg of isoflavone per pound of the animal's birth weight is ingested per day. In response to ingesting the isoflavone-supplemented milk replacer, the young animal experiences improved performance.

Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.

Abstract: Substitute fiber materials include at least one starch, at least one acid, and at least one plasticizer. The starch may be ground whole grain, the acid may be citric acid, and the plasticizer may be glycerin. The substitute materials are biodegradable and compostable. Methods involve feeding animals the substitute fiber materials as a substitute for or a supplement to natural fiber. The substitute fiber materials are at least partially digested in the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to feed compositions that can modify the feeding behavior of animals. Supplements can be added to no or low roughage rations that improve the performance of animals. In particular, the addition of calcium chloride to a low or no roughage ration can increase the number of feedings but decrease the amount of feeding per meal. This can result in promoting enhances feed conversion and better cost of feed to weight gain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to feed compositions that can modify the feeding behavior of animals. Supplements can be added to no or low roughage rations that improve the performance of animals. In particular, the addition of calcium chloride to a low or no roughage ration can increase the number of feedings but decrease the amount of feeding per meal. This can result in promoting enhances feed conversion and better cost of feed to weight gain.

Abstract: Methods form high fat feed blocks having a total fat content of about 7 wt % to 33 wt %. The blocks are formed by blending a pourable composition having a viscosity of at least 1000 cP at 57° C. with high fat pellets having total fat content of at least 40 wt % based on pellet weight, where the pellets include at least one fat having a melt temperature of greater than 60° C. Also disclosed are feed blocks formed by the methods.

Abstract: Methods of feeding young animals involves mixing sensory compounds containing botanicals, essential oils or both with at least one of a milk replacer and/or starter feed and providing the feed to the young animals to reduce feed refusal or intake variation. A method of reducing feed intake variation in a group of young animals includes feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds containing licorice root in at least one of a milk replacer or a starter feed to reduce feed intake variation compared to a group of young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. Reducing feed refusal in a young livestock animal may also include feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds in one or more of a milk replacer and a starter feed such that the young animal reduces feed refusal compared to a young animal fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.

Abstract: Methods of feeding ruminants involve positioning the feed blocks in a pasture accessible to the ruminants. The feed block may have a total fat content of about 7 wt % to 33 wt % and an intake modifier to control intake of the feed blocks. High fat pellets having a high total fat content provide at least a portion of the fat in the high fat feed blocks. The methods control a rate of ingestion of high fat feed blocks by ruminants while not negatively affecting performance, and in some instances, ingestion of the blocks results in improved performance.

Abstract: Methods involve feeding young animals milk products containing milk-based protein, a halide and a source of hydrogen peroxide, where an active lactoperoxidase system is not present in the milk product fed to the young animal, in response to ingesting the milk product, the young animal decreases a feed to gain ratio. Milk replacers may be provided as the milk product, and the young animals may be calves. Milk replacers contain milk-derived protein, a source of hydrogen peroxide at about 50 to about 500 parts per million by weight of the rehydrated milk replacer and iodide at about 1 to about 50 parts per million by weight of the rehydrated milk replacer, where an active lactoperoxidase system is not present.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Low moisture feed blocks deliver supplemental nutrients to animals and are free or substantially free of molasses by using concentrated separator by-product as a molasses replacement. A premixture of concentrated separator by-product and added sugar may be pH-adjusted and concentrated to a high solids content. The premixture may be combined with dry components to form an admixture that is poured into a vessel and allowed to naturally cool and harden into the supplemental feed block.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Consumable feed products and vegetation are delivered to animals using a single container in which the container holds the feed product and is used to deliver the feed and which includes ungerminated seeds embedded in the container body. The seeds are caused to germinate and produce vegetation from the container body, and the germinated seeds and/or vegetation is fed to the animal. Multiple containers may be used simultaneously so that while the consumable feed product from one container is used to feed an animal, another container may be used to grow vegetation or deliver vegetation to the animal. Confined birds such as poultry and chicks may benefit from ingesting feed and vegetation produced from such containers.

Abstract: Methods of feeding livestock animals involve feeding the livestock animals a milk replacer comprising percarbonate. The milk replacer has a pH of about 5.8 and the concentration of percarbonate is effective to reduce bacterial growth within the milk replacer product. The milk replacer can also include at least one added organic acid.

Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing an extruded food particle by extruding through an extruder having a screw within a barrel, a composition containing nutritional food components, and gelatin in an amount sufficient to act as a binder when the composition exits the extruder, where the binder has essentially no starch. The present invention also includes extruded food particles that do not use starch as a binder.