Abstract: A process for preparing a cohesive, retort-stable, shaped food piece. The process comprises: (a) preparing a premixture comprising, by weight, (1) from about 20% to about 80% by weight gluten, (2) from about 20% to about 80% by weight flour, (3) from 0% to about 50% by weight meat and bone meal, (4) from 0% to about 9% by weight fat, (5) from 0% to about 0.7% by weight added sulfur, and (6) from 0% to about 2% by weight dicalcium phosphate; (b) combining the premixture with water to form a secondary mixture, wherein the ratio of premixture to water is in the range of from about 1.6:1 to about 4:1; (c) mixing the secondary mixture for a period of time sufficient to obtain a substantially uniformly mixed dough and under conditions such that the temperature of the secondary mixture and uniformly mixed dough in the mixing operation are maintained in the range of from about 15.degree. C. to about 45.degree. C.; and (d) forming the uniformly mixed dough into a desired shaped piece.

Abstract: A pet food product prepared from a fiber containing nutritionally balanced mixture of carbohydrate protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, the product having an expanded striated structural matrix which fractures when chewed by the pet. The product when chewed by the pet exhibits an improved mechanical tooth cleansing function whereby a substantial reduction in plaque, stain and tartar on the pet's teeth is affected. The product is prepared by extruding a plasticized mixture of food ingredients through a discharge passageway, the internal walls of which are maintained at a coefficient of friction no greater than 0.2 so that a condition resembling laminar flow exists in the extrudate.

Abstract: Chickens are fed a composition including fish oil over a period of time. Modified eggs laid by such chickens contain substantial quantities of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The modified eggs are fed to humans with the result that serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides and blood pressure are reduced as compared to humans eating a like number of regular eggs with a subsequent decrease in heart disease.

Abstract: Ruminant animals, as herbivores, survive and produce while feeding chiefly on grass or other roughage consisting of large amounts of cellulose. Ruminants which have been consuming primarily diets high in cellulose must gradually be adjusted to high grain rations. When the attempt is made to adapt and feed ruminants diets containing no roughage, metabolic problems surface. The increase in lactic acid and accompanying fall in rumen .sub.p H resulting from roughage or cellulose withdrawal leads not only to the destruction of cellulolytic bacteria which digest cellulose), but to the destruction of lactate utilizing organisms, resulting in acidosis and its attendant adverse effects, which results in less than optimal cattle performance. Herein roughage can be eliminated allowing ruminants to consume an all grain, properly balanced diet without these adverse reactions. A roughage free diet for ruminants is provided which alters the eating behavior of cattle.

Abstract: A binder composition particularly well suited for pelleted and compressed aquatic animal feeds comprising: 10-17%, by weight a reactive metal source; 25-35%, by weight, a reactive metal oxide or hydroxide; 18-28%, by weight, sugar and 28-42%, by weight, corn syrup solids. The binder composition produces feeds with lower calcium and magnesium concentrations that typically utilized binders.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing intermediate products for preparation of animal feeds comprising the steps of: (a) heating a crude granular raw material in a vessel containing a heating device at a temperature sufficient to toast the raw material; (b) feeding the toasted crude raw material from the vessel to a container; (c) cooling the toasted raw material within the container by contacting the toasted raw material with cold air in counterflow to the feeding of the toasted raw material in order to heat and moisten the cold air and to cool and dry the raw material so as to obtain the intermediate products; and (d) feeding the heated moist air back to the vessel thereby recovering the energy from the heating step (a).

Abstract: Reduced calorie animal food compositions are prepared by incorporating into a fat-containing food a caloric moderator selected from the group of 2,3-butanediol diesters of C.sub.16-14 22 fatty acids.

Abstract: There is described a method for the manufacture of fodder and/or soil improving agents by anaerobic or aerobic fermentation of environmentally disturbing aquatic plants, specifically water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which, if desired, have been comminuted.

Abstract: An edible pet chew product having a flexible cellular matrix in which is contained a cellulosic fibrous material such as corn cob fractions having a mechanical cleansing function, which when chewed by the pet, effects a reduction in plaque, stain and tartar on the pet's teeth. An oral care additive may be incorporated in the matrix to inhibit dental problems, the composition of the cellular matrix being substantially inert to the oral care additive.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process to correct and optimise the feed-composition on basis of testing the levels of so called FIL-lectines in the blood. This correction is exerted by adding certain sugars and amino acids to the feed. Hereby the FIL-level may be adjusted in order to optimize the growth.

Abstract: A low inclusion animal feed binder composed of ozonated lignosulfonate. The ozonated lignosulfonate is a reaction product of lignosulfonate and ozone prepared by treating lignosulfonate with 2-20% ozone by weight of lignosulfonate solids at an initial pH of 2 to 12 and at a temperature of 5.degree. to 100.degree. C. The binder is incorporated with the animal feed in an amount from 0.01 to 2% by weight of dry feed.

Abstract: A method of treating livestock animal feed grains by the addition thereto of a sarsasaponin as a wetting agent in conjunction with the mechanical processing to which feed grains are subjected. A preferred sarasasaponin is that extracted from the Yucca plant. Preferably the sarsasaponin is applied from a liquid medium. The sarsasaponin facilitates moisture uptake by the grain, making it more stable, more palatable and more digestible. When fed to livestock, faster weight gains are obtained with less feed. The wetting agent is desirably added to the grain prior to processing by grinding or rolling and steam flaking.

Abstract: An animal feed which is improved by the addition of a nonviable antibiotic biomass. The biomass may be obtained by drying a fermented biomass of an organism capable of producing an antibiotic which is effective against mycotoxin contamination. The resultant animal feed is substantially free of fungal mycotoxin contamination.

Abstract: A livestock feed supplement providing high by-pass protein, being substantially free of urea and molasses, and providing good palatability. The supplement is formulated using byproducts of grain alcohol fermentation, namely distillers dried grains obtained from the stillage of fermented, dry-milled whole grain, and condensed distillers solubles from such stillage. Standard amounts of other nutritional supplements, including vitamins and minerals, are added to the composition to form the block. The supplement may be compressed and cured into a substantially hard block for free-choice feeding, or packaged in its granular, somewhat moist form for subsequent mixing in livestock feed. The byproducts of the fermentation include natural flavors that provide good palatability without the addition of sweeteners such as molasses.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thixotropic animal feed suspension includes the steps of providing a liquid sugar solution and mixing a nongellatinized starch containing ingredient into the liquid sugar solution and thence mixing a dry bulk feed nutrient into the sugar and starch mixture to form a thixotropic suspension. All mixing steps are accomplished at ambient temperatures and the starch containing ingredient is preferably selected from feed stuffs, from wheat, corn, milo and mixtures thereof. The suspension resulting from this method is stable for long periods of time and at very low temperatures.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for the production of fatty acid metal salts. An essential feature of the process is the use of a combination of basic alkaline earth metal and alkali metal compounds as salt-forming reagents.

Abstract: A device for controlling fermentation and ensilagation of food for use with an apparatus for fermenting and ensilaging is disclosed. The device comprising a key input unit manually controlled by a user so as to set the rate of fermentation and the ripeness stage. A microprocessor controls the respective units in accordance with a preset program and in response to signals representing the present rate of fermentation and ripeness setting provided by the key input unit. A load control unit controls a heating unit and a cooling unit in response to a control signal applied thereto from the microprocessor and representing the present rate of fermentation and the ripeness stage. A temperature detecting unit detects the present temperature inside an ensilaging container and outputs a signal representing the detected temperature to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A feed grain conditioning composition including an aqueous tempering agent including a Yucca extract containing saponin and an antifreeze agent. Preferably, the Yucca extract contains sarsasaponin. The antifreeze agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride and propylene glycol. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of antifreeze agent is sufficient to depress the freezing point of the tempering agent to about -30# F. or less. A method of tempering feed grain by applying the feed grain conditioning composition to feed grain is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for controlling the amount of feedstuff ingested by steers and heifers provided with feedstuff ad libitum without decreasing the rate of weight gain. In this method, steers and heifers are fed sorbitol, preferably in an amount of from 10 g to 250 g per day, to control the amount of feedstuff ingested without reducing rate of gain.

Abstract: A feed composition for breeding pigs contains about 70 to 90% by weight of an n-3 fatty acid source, about 10 to 20% by weight of a carbohydrate source, about 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of an agent for promoting a decrease in the level of cholesterol, and about 0.1 to 1.0% of an antioxidant.

Abstract: A livestock feed containing meat and bone, bloodmeal, soy hulls, corn and about 20% by weight liquid animal fat. The invention further relates to a process for making a livestock feed including the steps of mixing together meat and bone, bloodmeal, soy hulls, corn and a first portion of liquid animal fat; extruding the mixture into pellets; and then spraying the extruded pellets with a second portion of liquid animal rat. All of the fat used in the livestock feed and in the process for making the livestock feed is liquid animal fat.

Abstract: A composition and method thereof for increasing milk production in dairy cattle by balancing the essential amino acids via a particular complete feed, concentrate, or blender or base mix form of the composition which delivers essential amino acids post ruminally, wherein the composition generally comprises wheat middlings; corn; soybean meal; corn gluten meal; distillers grains or distillers grains with solubles; blood meal; fat; macro-minerals, which include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine and sulfur; trace minerals, which include cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc; and vitamins, which include vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.

Abstract: A process for preparing a complete ration for confined animals is disclosed. The ration is in solid form and supplies the animals water requirements and nutritional requirements. The ration is prepared by adding an edible gum to water, heating the combined water and edible gum to a temperature effective to solubilize the edible gum, combining the water and gum with a basal feed composition containing the animals nutritional requirement and with a carbohydrate, maintaining the combined materials at a temperature below the gelatinizing temperature of the carbohydrate, dispensing the heated combination into portions and cooling the dispensed portions to form a water containing gelled solid food article.

Abstract: To cover the energy needs of animals, in particular domestic animals, including ruminants, relatively large quantities of fat can be fed in a completely absorbable form without disturbing the animals' digestive processes. The fats are chosen from readily available sources such as lard, tallow, fish oils, and the like, and preferably have the following spectrum of fatty acids:______________________________________ C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 3-5% C.sub.14 1-2% C.sub.16 20-25% C.sub.16-1 1-3% C.sub.18 20-30% C.sub.18-1 35-50% C.sub.18-2 0-1% C.sub.20 1-2% ______________________________________If a selected fat has a melting point below the body temperature of the animal to be fed, the fat is hydrogenated to raise its melting point above the body temperature of the animal and is converted preferably by means of a cold-air crystallization process, into a structure of fine particles of a maximum size of 50 .mu.m.

Abstract: The present invention includes a whey permeate-derived dry sweetener made from a condensed whey permeate and a method of feeding animals the dry whey permeate sweetener. The condensed whey permeate is at least partially caramelized and has a protein level of less than approximately 8% and a lactose level of at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis.

Abstract: Solid lipid pellets containing 65% to 95%, or higher, lipid concentration suitable for use in or as animal food supplements and/or feed rations wherein: a mixture containing at least water and an edible algin-like coagulant is formed in a mixing chamber (11,12); a liquified lipid is added to form a gel-like algin/water/lipid emulsion; and, the emulsion is deposited in discrete quantities (30) into a metal ion bath (29) causing the emulsion to "set" in a lipid pellet integral and solid throughout its entire structure. The lipid pellets may be packaged for delivery to points of consumption and/or admixed with other feed materials to form nutritive animal feed rations. Small amounts of ammonia and/or bentonite may be added to the aqueous mixture to increase the lipid absorptive capacity thereof.

Abstract: A process and feed composition for supplying fatty acids to ruminant animals which comprises feeding saturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides to the animals. These highly saturated triglycerides may be added in an amount preferably between 2-5% of the total dry matter of the ratio. The highly saturated fatty acids according to the present invention have an iodine value of less than 25.

Abstract: The dog food formula is a composition comprising the following ingredients: brewer's yeast, bran, biscuit mix, water, desiccated liver, safflower or corn oil, ascorbic acid and chelated zinc. Additional ingredients may also be included such as bone meal, lecithin oil, wheat germ oil, soy oil, wheat flour, honey and flavorings such as meat or fish.

Abstract: A substantially toxic-free feed is obtained by maintaining the oil-bearing materials in acid reagents for about 5 minutes to hydrolyze glucosinolates to carbon dioxide and ammonia. The ammonia and carbon dioxide are subsequently stripped therefrom.

Abstract: A composition of matter and method for administering a bioactive substance to the post-rumen portion of the digestive system of a ruminant substantially without introducing the substance to the rumen portion of the digestive system is provided. The composition of matter comprises particles which have a specific gravity between about 0.3 and 2.0, preferably between about 1.0 and 2.0. The particles comprises a core comprising bioactive substance; a hydrophobic coating essentially completely encapsulating said core in a quantity sufficient to essentially preclude introduction of bioactive substance into the rumen; and a surfactant applied to the surface of the hydrophobic coating in a quantity sufficient to ensure that said particles do not float on the rumen. The method comprises orally administering this composition of matter to a ruminant.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for maintaining animals on a diet containing keratin as a source of protein are disclosed. The method comprises feeding an animal a carbohydrate source and a first protein source, the first protein source comprising keratin and a keratinase capable of hydrolyzing the keratin. A composition of the present invention is an animal feed comprising a carbohydrate source and a first protein source, the first protein source comprising keratin and a keratinase capable of hydrolyzing the keratin. A preferred keratin for practicing the present invention is ground feather, and a preferred keratinase for practicing the invention is obtained from Bacillus licheniformis strain PWD-1.

Abstract: A method of producing non-hygroscopic solids from aqueous food solutions of sugars and proteins by mixing an aqueous solution which contains at least 45 weight percent solids comprising at least 20 percent of protein or sugar or mixtures thereof with additives comprising calcium oxide or hydroxide and a soluble phosphate. The resultant mixture is then dried by evaporation to reduce its moisture content to less than twelve weight percent. Depending on the intended use of the product, the mixture can be formed or shaped into the desired form and then dried, or the mixture can be dried and comminuted to produce a free-flowing granular product.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides a process for preparing a feed supplement product which contains C.sub.14 -C.sub.22 fatty acid alkaline earth metal salt and a propionate glucogenous ingredient as essential constituents.The feed product can function as a rumen bypass composition, and permit the beneficial increase of the nutrient fat content of the ruminant feed ration, and facilitate metabolic glucose formation by gluconeogenesis during the digestive cycle.

Abstract: A dry food for domestic dogs or cats is prepared by moistening and crushing cereals and/or legumes and thereupon drying the crushed substance at a temperature of not more than between 50.degree. and 70.degree. C. to form flakes, by drying chunks or lumps of meat, fish and/or comminuted vegetables, and by mixing the chunks or lumps and flakes with each other and with effective quantities of micronutrients and/or a gelling agent. The resulting dry food can be stored in bags and can be served dry or subsequent to contacting with water, milk or another liquid.

Abstract: Ruminant animals, as herbivores, survive and produce while feeding chiefly on grass or other roughage consisting of large amounts of cellulose. Ruminants which have been consuming primarily diets high in cellulose must gradually be adjusted to high grain rations. When the attempt is made to adapt and feed ruminants diets containing no roughage, metabolic problems surface. The increase in lactic acid and accompanying fall in rumen .sub.p H resulting from roughage or cellulose withdrawal leads not only to the destruction of cellulolytic bacteria which digest cellulose), but to the destruction of lactate utilizing organisms, resulting in acidosis and its attendant adverse effects, which results in less than optimal cattle performance. Herein roughage can be eliminated allowing ruminants to consume an all grain, properly balanced due without these adverse reactions. A roughage free diet for ruminants is provided which alters the eating behavior of cattle.

Abstract: A dry solid animal feed composition in which biodegradable feed is contaminated with a mycotoxin and is admixed with a mycotoxin inactivating agent comprising particles of a phyllosilicate mineral capable of inactivating mycotoxins, said particles being coated with a sequestering agent in an amount sufficient to enhance the mycotoxin inactivating capacity of said phyllosilicate.

Abstract: A method of formulating dairy cow rations based on the amounts of ruminally available protein (RAP) and carbohydrates (RAC) in the total daily ration, which includes both grain and forage components. Quantities necessary for determining RAP and RAC values are obtained from conventional chemical analysis and in situ techniques. Statistical analysis of experimentally obtained data showed optimized lactation response is obtained from a total daily ration containing RAP and RAC in the ranges of about 10.5-12.5% and 35.0-45.0%, respectively. Other important nutritional factors such as microbial synthesis and feed escape protein were also shown to be optimized by total daily rations containing RAP and RAC levels within or near the lactation optimization ranges.

Abstract: The invention is a method for coating animal feeds; more particularly a method utilizing a coating composition comprising cane molasses for animal feeds which provides a golden brown color and free-flow characteristics to such feeds. In the method, an animal feed is coated with cane molasses and is separately coated with a composition comprising phosphoric acid, phosphate or polyphosphate salts, or various acids. The resulting coating provides a golden brown color, improves the free-flow characteristics and improves tackiness retention of the feed to which it is applied.

Abstract: A method of increasing the nutritional value of mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed ingested by an animal by feeding the animal a montmorillonite clay simultaneously with the mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed. The montmorillonite clay can be fed to the animal in any form, e.g. granular, powder, pellets and the like or can be admixed with other animal food or feed supplements, so long as the clay is present in the animal's stomach (digestive tract) at the same time as the mycotoxin-contaminated animal feed in an amount sufficient to absorb or adsorb mycotoxin from the digestive tract of the animal and thereby aid the animal in metabolic absorbtion of nutrients from the contaminated animal feed.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of methionine, which can be used as an additive in feedstuffs, is made by hydrolysis of methionine amide with an alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A composition and method thereof for increasing milk production in diary cattle by balancing the essential amino acids via a particular complete feed, concentrate, or blender or base mix form of the composition which delivers essential amino acids post-ruminally wherein the composition generally comprises wheat middlings; corn; soybean meal; corn gluten meal; distillers grains or distillers grains with solubles; blood meal; fat; macro-minerals, which include calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine and sulfur; trace minerals, which include cobalt, copper, iodine; iron, manganese, selenium and zinc; and vitamins, which include vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the modification of a food for a ruminant mammal such that the mammal will produce a modified milk fat or meat fat which method comprises:(a) producing an emulsion of(i) a non-toxic food substance to be encapsulated; and(ii) an acid sensitive nontoxic crosslinkable material which will surround and encapsulate the substance with the proviso that no added crosslinking chemical is present in the emulsion; (b) subjecting the emulsion to reaction conditions which crosslink the crosslinkable material and encapsulate the substance. Specifically, the method is useful to encapsulate emulsified unsaturated fatty acids with a natural protein such as whey protein concentrate containing a reducing sugar, such as lactose, with crosslinking and encapsulating using the Maillard browning reaction. Cattle sheep or goats feed the modified food produce a higher level of unsaturated milk fat and meat fat.

Abstract: A reduced animal product pet food or non-animal pet food composition having a mixture of proteinaceous and farinaceous components in an amount sufficient to provide a nutritionally balanced, dry pellet. The pet food composition includes a non-meat based animal fat substance and a vegetable based fat substance. The non-meat based animal fat substance is preferably an egg or dairy based fat substance. Lactase, pectin, hyperfortified vitamin, and flavoring components are also provided.

Abstract: A feed grain conditioning composition including an aqueous tempering agent including a Yucca extract containing saponin and an antifreeze agent. Preferably, the Yucca extract contains sarsasaponin. The antifreeze agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride and propylene glycol. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of antifreeze agent is sufficient to depress the freezing point of the tempering agent to about -30.degree. F. or less. A method of tempering feed grain by applying the feed grain conditioning composition to feed grain is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method enabling reduction in the occurrence of dark-cutting meat in animals especially in ruminants such as bovine cattle, sheep and goats. This method comprises the administration to animals intended for slaughter of an effective amount of sorbitol shortly before their slaughter. The invention also comprises a feed supplement for animals intended for slaughter, this feed supplement being administered either in solid form or in the form of an aqueous liquid preferably added directly in their drinking water. The amount of sorbitol administered before slaughter is at least 0.05% of the weight of the carcass of the animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed and to a process for its production. According to the process, a fatty substance is converted to the form of a metal salt of a fatty acid or fatty acids, and is combined with a carrier such as a concentrated feed. In the salt form the salt is protected in such a way that it will not disturb the disintegration taking place in the rumen of a ruminant, but it is, nevertheless, exploitable by the digestive system of the animal. What is essential in the invention is that the metal salt is formed into a three-dimensional matrix so that a substantially liquid fat or fatty acids remain in the cavities of the matrix. In a matrix form such as this the fat is fluid, and it can be transferred and batched like a liquid. It is possible to use vegetable oils which contain unsaturated fats and fatty acids for the production of a feed, whereby the fats and fatty acids can be caused, by means of the protection, to pass through the digestive system of a ruminant to the milk produced.

Abstract: The invention is a coating for animal feeds; more particularly a coating composition comprising cane molasses for aninmal feeds which provides a golden brown color and free-flow characteristics to such feeds. The invention discloses that when cane molasses or cane molasses/fat is treated with phosphoric acid, phosphate or polyphosphate salts, or various acids, the resulting composition provides a golden brown color, improves the free-flow characteristics, and improves tackiness retention of the feed to which it is applied. Addition of an emulsifier to a cane molasses/fat coating composition eliminates spottiness.

Abstract: Hard, stable, farinaceous extruded animal feed nuggets comprising at least about 20 wt % starch, at least about 15 wt % of an added fat and less than about 15 wt % water are prepared by a method comprising the steps of:A. plasticizing a blend of starch, water and added fat in an extruder,B. extruding the plasticized blend to form an animal feed nugget, andC. drying the nugget to a water content of less than about 15 wt %.These energy dense nuggets are a useful feed supplement to the diets of a wide variety of animals, particularly dairy cows.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of live births to a female animal by feeding the female animal beginning at least one week before the expected time of birth of the female animal's offspring, an edible flaxseed composition comprising ground flaxseed. This ground flaxseed composition can be admixed with a suitable animal feed. Zinc and/or vitamin B-6 can be included in the composition. An animal feed blend comprising an animal feed and a stable dry edible flaxseed composition comprising ground raw flaxseed.

Abstract: By giving mammals, fowls, fish, etc. feeds containing Bacillus subtilis C-3102 FERM BP-1096), an excellent body weight gain and feed efficiency can be obtained.