Abstract: The palatability as well as digestibility and protein content of straw is enhanced by treating it with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, ammoniating the acid-treated straw, and fermenting it with a yeast such as Aureobasidium pullulans. The so-treated straw is useful as a feed for ruminants and other animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides for isolated non-specific plant concentrates and other fodder additives and a process for their manufacture comprising precipitating a protein fraction from plant juices by coagulation and treating the coagulated green protein fraction with glycol or diglycol ether thereby isolating the valuable substances therefrom. The obtained concentrates are useful as animal fodder and in human nourishment.

Abstract: A uniquely palatable horse feed is prepared by employing certain prescribed amounts of citric acid in the feed.

Abstract: A feed for ruminants is produced by mixing 90-99.5% by weight of a vegetable fiber material which is indigestible by ruminants and 0.5-10% by weight of a non-protein nitrogen compound and inoculating the mixture with an effective amount of an alcoholic fermentation micro-organism, an organic acid fermentation microorganisms or an ester formation microorganisms and fermenting the inoculated mixture.

Abstract: The utilization of protein by cattle is maximized by feeding rumen-protected protein having a negative Urea Fermentation Potential (UFP) together with other unprotected protein-providing feed materials having a net positive UFP and urea.

Abstract: A process for increasing the feed value of lignocellulosic materials by alkali-treatment and subsequent neutralization with an acid in a closed system under circulation of the treating agents. Said treating agents are supplied or prepared during the course of the treatment at a rate essentially corresponding to the liquid uptake of the lignocellulosic material, the quantities of residual solutions resulting from the treatment being kept at a minimum. Moreover, an apparatus for carrying such process into effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the feed value of lignocellulosic materials by contacting the material with an alkaline liquid. The alkaline liquid is applied on top of a mass of lignocellulosic material within a limited zone, said zone being moved across the whole upper surface of said mass. The invention also provides for an apparatus suitable for carrying out such process.

Abstract: Agents for preserving and ensiling animal feedstuffs and which contain one or several furan or thiophene derivatives, and the use thereof. These furan or thiophene derivatives have the general formula ##STR1## WHERE X denotes oxygen or sulfur, R denotes the radicals --CHO, --CN or --COOR.sup.3, or the vinylogous radicals --CH.dbd.CH--CHO, --CH.dbd.CH--C.tbd.N or --CH.dbd.CH--COOR.sup.3, R.sup.3 denoting hydrogen, a cation equivalent or alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n denotes one of the integers 0, 1, 2 and 3.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved feed additive for administration to ruminants to prevent or minimize lactic acidosis when the ruminant is switched from a diet of roughage to starch (high energy). The additive comprises a bacterial culture of Megasphaera elsdenii admixed with an ingestible animal feed additive. The additive utilizes the unexpected ability of M. elsdenii to ferment lactic acid in preference to simple sugars, thereby minimizing accumulation of lactic acid. The preferred embodiment is the combination of M. elsdenii with substances (including bacterial cultures) producing ruminal propionic acid, thereby providing a high propionic level while avoiding lactic acid accumulation.

Abstract: A food substance for ruminating animals, such as cattle, is formed from a mixture of fibrous plant materials in chopped and ground form and precipitate dust from the manufacture of portland cement.

Abstract: Dairy cattle rations are formulated to optimize milk production by balancing the proportion of soluble and insoluble protein in the total dietary protein. The ration may include both forage and concentrate portions, in which case the forage portion may consist of grazing and/or available stored forage with the composition of the concentrate being adjusted as required to provide the required balance of soluble and insoluble protein. The total protein intake is established according to standard recommended levels based on a particular cow or herd's production level, and other factors. The proportion of the total protein which is soluble in the cow's rumen is limited to not more than 25%, but some soluble protein, preferably in a range of about 10% to 20% is provided since it is this protein which is used by the microorganisms in the rumen which are, in turn, used by the cow as protein.

Abstract: Foodstuff and fodder additives are made by linking essential aminoacids to carbohydrates or other assimilable polyhydroxy compounds in such a way that the aminoacid is liberated in the digestive tract.

Abstract: An NPN ruminant feed supplement having a high percentage of chemically bound urea is prepared from cellulose commodities by an efficient process involving reaction with urea and a dilute mineral acid at low pH.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of cellulose and lignin organic waste materials into a more digestible and manageable form. The process includes reducing, if necessary, the cellulose or lignin organic waste material to a size to 2 inches or less. An acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and mixtures thereof is admixed with about 40 to about 60 percent by weight of the organic waste material. Before, after or simultaneously with such admixing steps, a base selected from the group consisting of calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide and mixtures thereof is admixed with the remainder of the organic waste material. The acidified waste material is mixed and reacted with the basified organic waste material, a more digestible form of said organic waste material resulting. About 80 to 120 parts by weight of the acidified organic waste material is used per 100 parts by weight of the basified organic waste material.

Abstract: The invention provides an ensiling agent which contains, based on the total quantity of active ingredients, a mixture of from 50 to 90% by weight of salts of formic acid and from 10 to 50% by weight of hexamethylene tetramine or other compounds which slowly and continuously release formaldehyde during the fermentation of fodder plants.The invention further provides a process for the fermentation of fodder plants in which from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of an ensiling agent based on the weight of green fodder, is added to the material which is to be ensiled, the proportion of hexamethylene tetramine or other compounds which slowly and continuously release formaldehyde during fermentation, not exceeding 0.1% by weight, based on the weight of green fodder.Such ensiling agents are useful for fermenting fodder plants, in particular these which are difficult to convert into silage.

Abstract: The calcium salts of mono-hydroxymethyl lysine and bis(hydroxymethyl) lysine are prepared by reacting lysine and formaldehyde in water containing calcium ions at a pH of at least 8 and at most 12.5. The compounds are useful as fodder for ruminants.

Abstract: A process for obtaining fertilizer salts and organic substance concentrates of high nutritive value from industrial waste waters, in particular of waste waters of the agricultural, food processing and food preserving industries, with a high content of Totally Dissolved Solids (T.D.S.), includes the following operating phases:Automatic diversion of the high T.D.S. content waste waters from those of low T.D.S. content by means of a conductivity or density measuring instrument.Mixing of the high T.D.S. content waste waters with strong acids or bases, according to the composition of the waste waters, so as to form stable salts.Filtration of the so-formed solution for the purpose of eliminating the insoluble substances and precipitates.Concentration of the solution by means of evaporation.Crystallization of the concentrated solution.Separation by means of centrifugation of the fertilizer salts from the mother liquors containing organic substances of high nutritive value.

Abstract: A process for the ammoniation of straw and other plant materials containing lignocellulose with a dry matter content of at least 60%, utilizing anhydrous ammonia, preferably in liquid form. The plant material is covered by a gas impervious material and ammonia is added in excess of the amount needed for optimal irreversible nitrogen binding, preferably from 20-35 kg NH.sub.3 /ton dry matter, without application of external heat and pressure. The ammonia impregnated material is left at ambient temperature for at least 10 days, whereafter it is vented and ready for use. The preferred use of the ammoniated straw is as an animal feed.

Abstract: A method of preparing an antibiotic composition which imparts stability to the antibiotic when used in an animal feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the feed value of lignocellulosic materials by contacting the material with an alkaline liquid. The alkaline liquid supplied in excess is allowed to run off the material before any essential alkalization effect has been reached. After the liquid absorbed in the material has provided its effect an acid solution or nutritive solution is added to the material for neutralization of non-desired excess of alkali. Said solution is applied in such an amount as to at least correspond to the residual absorption capacity of the material resulting after the drainage due to the effect of alkaline liquid absorbed by the material. The invention also provides for an apparatus suitable for carrying out such process.

Abstract: Partially dried forage crops such as perennial grasses and partially dehydrated alfalfa containing at least 10% moisture are treated with sodium diacetate and stored in the form of bales or other consolidated form using a sufficient amount of sodium diacetate to reduce the rise in temperature which normally occurs on storage under such conditions while simultaneously inhibiting mold growth. The resultant products are especially useful in feeding beef and dairy cattle and other ruminants.

Abstract: Wood and/or woody wastes, particularly coniferous woods, are treated to render them suitable as a high energy food for ruminating animals. Comminuted wood or woody wastes are impregnated with a glycol or glycol-ether solvent and a catalyst, and the mixture heated to a temperature of at least 145.degree. C. for a time sufficient to delignify the wood the desired amount and solubilize extraneous components in the wood which are detrimental to the digestibility of the treated wood by the ruminant. The treated wood is then defibrated and the glycol solvent and catalyst extracted from the treated wood and recovered for recycle and reuse. The pulp recovered from extraction is a substantially anhydrous pulp which can be injected with nutrients promoting greater digestibility of the pulp and rehydrated for feeding to the ruminant.

Abstract: Forage crops such as perennial grasses, alfalfa, corn and sorghum in the wet or moist state are chopped into small pieces, a quantity of a composition consisting essentially of sodium diacetate and dehydrated whey is added, and the resultant mixture is placed in a storage container such as a silo and allowed to ferment to produce silage which is useful as an animal feed, especially for ruminant animals such as beef and dairy cattle.

Abstract: A process for making a dense, high molasses animal feed impregnated on a ground bagasse or bagasse pith carrier. The ground bagasse or bagasse pith is capable of absorbing up to about 5 times by weight high brix molasses to produce a feed product having about 30-55% by weight sugars determined as invert. The ground bagasse or bagasse pith, from which the major portion of the cane juice has been removed for the manufacture of cane sugar, is thoroughly mixed with molasses and the wet mixture, which contains from about 15-30% by weight water, is wet pelleted. Uniform penetration of molasses throughout the carrier is obtained. The molasses/bagasse (bagasse pith) pellets are then dried to a moisture level less than about 2-4% and cooled. The dry, dense pellets can then be packed and shipped without further processing, or they may be subjected to a crumbling step to make a granular product for blended animal feeds and as a principal component in molasses/salt blocks, and medicated feeds.

Abstract: A low-cost, highly nutritious starch-NPN liquid feed supplement and method of producing same is provided wherein the supplement exhibits markedly superior protein synthesis and growth-inducing properties as compared with conventional, unprocessed NPN-fortified supplements notwithstanding the fact that the supplements hereof generally have lower theoretical nutritive values than such prior feeds. The preparative method preferably includes the steps of passing an aqueous slurry of a starch-bearing food source and an NPN substance such as urea through a hydrothermal-type cooker along with direct steam for turbulently heating, disrupting and gelatinizing the starch source in the presence of the NPN substance to thereby yield a reacted product which can be fed to ruminants as a low-cost, high-protein food source.

Abstract: Feedstuffs and silage for ruminants contain mixtures of isobutyraldehyde (IBD) with mineral or fatty acids, formalin, trioxane, or urea plus chlorine, derivatives of IBD selected from isobutanol (alone or in admixture with isobutyric acid or salts thereof), isobutyl halides or esters of fatty acids, isobutyrates, di-isobutyrates, and chlorinated isobutylidene diurea.

Abstract: A process for treating plant organic matter particles to increase the digestability thereof by ruminants including mixing the organic particles with water, a nontoxic acid catalyst to produce a Ph lower than 3.0, and a metallic catalyst of either iron or manganese, oxidizing the mixture under elevated pressure and temperature to fragment the cellulose molecules and break the lignin-cellulose bond, and hydrolizing the oxidized mixture under elevated pressure and temperature to convert at least a portion of the cellulose molecules to saccharides and saccharide acids.