Abstract: A feed composition for ruminants may include feed particles of a nutritional component that are at least partially coated with a saturated fatty acid coating such that ingestion of the feed by lactating ruminants may provide for an increase in the amount of milk produced by the ruminant, and/or an increase in the fat content of the milk produced.

Abstract: A dietary composition for a ruminant includes a fatty acid composition comprising a fatty acid component and a surfactant component and a feed material, wherein the fatty acid component comprises a rumen stable fatty acid and a weight/weight ratio of the surfactant component. A method and system of preparing a ruminant feed mixture, wherein the method includes preparing a solid mixture by combining a fatty acid composition with at least one feed material, wherein the fatty acid composition comprises a fatty acid component and a surfactant component and conditioning the solid mixture at a conditioning temperature over a period of a conditioning time to provide the ruminant feed mixture.

Abstract: Fatty acid compositions for animal feed include a fatty acid component and a surfactant component, wherein the fatty acid composition melts at not less than 40° C. and the fatty acid component has an Iodine Value no greater than 45. A method for making a fatty acid composition for animal feed includes combining a fatty acid component with a surfactant component to provide a fatty acid composition, and forming the fatty acid composition into solid beads.

Abstract: A feed composition for ruminants may include feed particles that contain a saturated fatty acid component as well as a urease inhibitor such that ingestion of the feed by lactating ruminants may provide for an increase in the amount of milk produced by the ruminant and/or an increase in the fat content of the milk produced, and a decrease in ammonia production from breakdown of urea.

Abstract: Feed compositions, methods of preparing such compositions, and methods of feeding such compositions are described. A feed composition may include a core and a first coating layer disposed around at least a portion of the core. The core may include at least one carbohydrate component and at least one protein component. The first coating layer may include a fatty acid component having at least about 90% saturated fatty acid by weight.

Abstract: Silage compositions are described herein, as well as methods for their preparation and use. A silage composition may include a fatty acid component comprising at least about 70% saturated fatty acid by weight and a fermented component. The fatty acid component may be present in the silage composition in an amount of at least about 10% by weight of the silage composition.

Abstract: Dietary compositions containing at least one carbohydrate are described herein, as well as methods for their preparation and use. A premix dietary composition may include a fatty acid component and a carbohydrate component. The fatty acid component may include at least about 90% saturated fatty acid by weight. The fatty acid component may be present in the dietary composition in an amount of at least about 30% by weight of the dietary composition.

Abstract: Dietary compositions containing at least one protein component are described herein, as well as methods for their preparation and use. A premix dietary composition may include a fatty acid component and a protein component. The fatty acid component may include at least about 90% saturated fatty acid by weight. The fatty acid component may be present in the dietary composition in an amount of at least about 10% by weight of the dietary composition.

Abstract: Solid dietary compositions for ruminants are disclosed, as well as methods for their preparation and use. The compositions may include a fatty acid component and at least one feed ingredient. The fatty acid component may include at least about 90% saturated fatty acid by weight and may be present in the dietary composition in an amount of at least about 30% by weight of the dietary composition. The at least one feed ingredient may be selected from a protein material, an amino acid, an amino acid derivative, a vitamin, a trace element, a mineral, a glucogenic precursor, and an antioxidant. The dietary composition may be a solid in the form of a capsule, a tablet, a pellet, or a granular material.

Abstract: Dietary compositions for ingestion by ruminants and methods for feeding the dietary compositions to ruminants are disclosed. The dietary compositions may include ruminant feed products having at least one saturated fatty acid component including at least about 90% of a palmitic acid compound. The ruminant feed product may be fed to the ruminant according to a feed program that is based on physical characteristics and/or a time period associated with the ruminant. For example, an amount of the ruminant feed product fed to the ruminant may be based on the calving cycle and/or lactation cycle of the ruminant and one of a body weight or a milk yield of the ruminant. Ingestion of the ruminant feed product by a ruminant according to the feed program may increase the milk yield and/or the milk fat content of milk produced by the ruminant.

Abstract: A feed for ruminants may include at least one derivatized fatty acid component such that ingestion of the feed by lactating ruminants may provide for an increase in the amount of milk produced by the ruminant, and/or an increase in the fat content of the milk produced.

Abstract: Liquid dietary compositions for ruminants are disclosed, as well as methods for their preparation and use. The compositions may include a fatty acid component, at least one feed ingredient, and water. The fatty acid component may include less than about 10% by weight of unsaturated fatty acid. The feed ingredient may be selected from a carbohydrate, an amino acid, an amino acid derivative, a vitamin, a trace element, a mineral, a glucogenic precursor, or an antioxidant. The compositions may also include about 25% by weight to about 55% by weight of water.

Abstract: Dietary paste compositions for ruminants are disclosed, as well as methods for their preparation and use. The dietary paste compositions may include least one saturated fatty acid compound and at least one carrier component. The methods of preparation may include contacting the at least one saturated fatty acid compound with the at least one carrier component to form the dietary paste composition.

Abstract: Feed containers configured to store and dispense dietary compositions for ruminants are disclosed. The dietary compositions may include a fatty acid component, at least one feed ingredient, and water. The fatty acid component may include less than about 10% by weight of unsaturated fatty acid. The feed ingredient may be selected from a carbohydrate, an amino acid, an amino acid derivative, a vitamin, a trace element, a mineral, a glucogenic precursor, or an antioxidant. The feed containers may include a lick tank, a storage container, a trough, a bucket, a pail, or the like. The feed containers may be configured to measure and/or regulate the consumption of the dietary composition stored therein by the ruminants.

Abstract: Mineral lick compositions for ruminants are disclosed, as well as methods for their preparation and use. The compositions may include at least one sodium salt, at least one calcium salt, at least one magnesium salt, and at least one fatty acid component comprising at least about 80% saturated fatty acid by weight.

Abstract: A feed for ruminants may include at least one fatty acid component covalently linked with a carrier particle such that ingestion of the feed by lactating ruminants may provide for an increase in the amount of milk produced by the ruminant, and/or an increase in the fat content of the milk produced.

Abstract: Dietary particle compositions for ruminant feed are disclosed, as well as methods for their preparation and use. The compositions may include a fatty acid compound, a core, and at least one encapsulating agent. The dietary particle may have a core coating layer. The fatty acid compound may be in the core or the core coating layer. The core may include a carbohydrate compound and a protein compound. The fatty acid compound may include at least about 90% saturated fatty acids. The fatty acid compound may include a palmitic acid compound.