Abstract: A semi-solid animal feed block is provided to an animal as a feed supplement or as a complete feed. The feed block is formed of a liquid binder containing denatured wheat flour protein and sugar, and a nutrient mixture of at least one animal feed component. The denatured protein and the sugar bind the nutrient mixture to form the semi-solid animal feed block as a single mass. The nutrients may be formulated to promote digestive tract development of a recently weaned livestock animal, such as a piglet.

Abstract: Rumen performance and ruminant growth in growing ruminants is studied through rumen morphological studies and growing ruminant developmental studies. Based on the studies, a feed composition containing an effective amount of milk replacer, supplemental feed or both is administered to the ruminant over a growing period to optimize rumen growth. A method of formulating a feed formulation for a ruminant involves studying at least rumen morphology of one ruminant ingesting a diet with an amount of milk replacer, supplemental feed or both, and formulating the feed ration for another ruminant based on the study. A feed composition formulated based on rumen morphological studies includes an effective amount of nutrients to optimize rumen growth in the growing ruminants characterized by one or more of optimized rumen size, rumen papillae density, rumen papillae surface area, rumen papillae histology in the ruminant by twenty-four weeks of age.

Abstract: A method of feeding a ruminant that entails providing a feed that comprises sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, where the feed is free of rumen-protected fatty acid or comprises less than 10 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the feed and further entails orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, where the ruminant ingests the feed and sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing products with enzymatic activity remaining in peptone solutions after mucosa hydrolysis is provided along with a process for preserving mucosa tissue. Broadly, the processes are carried out by hydrolyzing mucosa tissue according to conventional heparin manufacturing processes wherein an excess quantity of proteolytic enzymes is used. The resulting peptone solution is then contacted with proteins or protein-containing materials in order to hydrolyze the proteins. In another embodiment, mucosa tissue is preserved by mixing it with a preserving agent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and phosphoric acid. The product preserved by hydrogen peroxide is low in ash, stable for at least a week, and has a reduced odor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment of milk and milk products such as waste-milk with an enhanced lactoperoxidase system. The enhanced lactoperoxidase system is activated by the addition of a hydrogen peroxide source and an oxidizable agent, such as a halide to the milk to inactivate the bacterial pathogens. The enhanced lactoperoxidase system may be used alone or in conjunction with pasteurization to reduce or eliminate the bacterial load in milk products.

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: A method of the present invention includes feeding a calf a milk replacer at an enhanced rate with L-carnitine. The method of the present invention enhances weight gain, starter intake and reduces weaning time.

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: The present invention includes a liquid sweetener made from a lactose containing liquid that can be used to coat animal feed to increase palatability. It also includes methods of making the liquid sweetener and making animal feed with increased palatability. The methods include hydrolyzing whey or whey derivatives and adding amino acids to promote a Maillard reaction to synthesize the sweetener.

Abstract: The animal feed of the present invention is a soft extruded nugget with a chewy, moist interior. These nuggets have a high moisture content and preservatives. The animal feed also has a long shelf life given the high moisture content. The animal feed of this invention is provided to young animals after weaning from a liquid diet.

Abstract: A method of processing a proteinaceous material, the method entails (1) blending the proteinaceous material with alcohol and a reducing agent and (2) maintaining a combination having the proteinaceous material and the reducing agent at a greater than ambient temperature for a holding period of at least about five minutes to form a proteinaceous product.

Abstract: The present invention includes a liquid sweetener made from a lactose containing liquid that can be used to coat animal feed to increase palatability. It also includes methods of making the liquid sweetener and making animal feed with increased palatability. The methods include hydrolyzing whey or whey derivatives and adding amino acids to promote a Maillard reaction to synthesize the sweetener.

Abstract: A method of feeding a monogastric mammal, the method including feeding the monogastric mammal a milk replacer during a feeding period and feeding the monogastric mammal a psyllium composition during the feeding period.

Abstract: A method of forming an aquatic gel by forming a gelling component containing a gelling agent and a gas-forming agent, providing an acidic component containing an acidic agent in combining the gelling component and the acidic component with water at an elevated temperature and then permitting the mixture to set and form a gel. The combination of the acidic component, the gelling component and water is effective to form gas bubbles in the gel such that a density of less than about 1.0 g per ml is created.

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, essentially no starch and a gum in an amount sufficient to act as a binder once the composition exits the extruder. The present invention also includes extruded food particles that do not use starch as a binder.

Abstract: An animal feed such as a milk replacer includes a soluble fiber and a sugar alcohol. The milk replacer enhances weight gain, starter intake and reduces weaning time. The method of feeding the animal includes feeding a mixture of a soluble fiber and sugar alcohol. The animal feed may be used as a method of weaning young ruminants such as calves.

Abstract: A method of feeding ruminants, the method including feeding a ruminant a fluid animal feed during a feeding period, the fluid animal feed including an animal feed component and the ruminant consuming greater than about 1.25 pounds of the animal feed component per day, based on the dry weight of the animal feed component, during the feeding period; and the method further including feeding the ruminant a psyllium composition during the feeding period.

Abstract: A method of managing dehydration in an animal includes administering a first electrolyte solution having an SID range at or below 25 mEq/l. After administering the first electrolyte solution, the animal's health condition is observed to determine the effect of the first solution. If the animal's health condition has not sufficiently improved, a second solution comprising the first electrolyte solution supplemented with a second electrolyte supplement is administered to the animal wherein the second electrolyte supplement raises the SID of the second solution to at least 50 mEq/l.

Abstract: A method of feeding ruminants, the method including feeding a ruminant a fluid animal feed during a feeding period, the fluid animal feed including an animal feed component and the ruminant consuming greater than about 1.25 pounds of the animal feed component per day, based on the dry weight of the animal feed component, during the feeding period; and the method further including feeding the ruminant a psyllium composition during the feeding period.