Abstract: Firm, flexible animal feed gel are prepared by a method comprises the steps of: A. Forming a liquid animal feed at a temperature above ambient temperature; B. Passing the liquid animal feed through a pipe cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the liquid animal feed of step (A) such that the feed solidifies to a stiff, flexible gel while in the pipe; and C. Collecting the gel as the gel exits the pipe. The pipe may be straight or coiled, and it may be cooled through the effect of a cooling jacket or container. The composition of the animal is feed is predominantly water containing at least one gelling agent and at least one source of protein, typically an animal-derived protein such as fish or poultry meal.

Abstract: A bovine adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, is expressed in the fat tissue of cattle. Expression may be altered in over fat cattle, or expression may be in the form of a protein of lesser biological activity relative to that of leaner cattle. The bovine adipocyte polypeptide, DNA and RNA molecules coding therefor, methods for its preparation, and antibodies specific for the polypeptide are disclosed. Methods for determining the susceptibility of cattle to fat deposition are based on measuring the levels of the bovine adipocyte polypeptide in a biological fluid or tissue extract or by measuring mRNA encoding the bovine adipocyte polypeptide in cells of the subject. Methods of evaluating an agent related to the deposition of fat in cattle comprise contacting the agent with an adipocyte in vitro and measuring the amount of the bovine adipocyte polypeptide or mRNA that is produced by the adipocyte.

Abstract: A porcine adipocyte-specific polypeptide, termed leptin, is expressed in the fat tissue of pigs. Expression may be altered in over fat pigs, or expression may be in the form of a protein of lesser biological activity relative to that of leaner pigs. The porcine adipocyte polypeptide, DNA and RNA molecules coding therefor, methods for its preparation, and antibodies specific for the polypeptide are disclosed. Methods for determining the susceptibility of a pig to fat deposition are based on measuring the levels of the porcine adipocyte polypeptide in a biological fluid or tissue extract or by measuring mRNA encoding the porcine adipocyte polypeptide in cells of the subject. Methods of evaluating an agent related to the deposition of fat in swine comprise contacting the agent with an adipocyte in vitro and measuring the amount of the porcine adipocyte polypeptide or mRNA that is produced by the adipocyte.

Abstract: Nutritionally balanced, firm, flexible gels are prepared in shapes attractive to animals, e.g. in the shape of fish for fish-eating animals, the gels comprising: A. At least one gelling agent, e.g. a gelatin and/or a gum; B. At least one animal protein; and C. Water. The gel optionally comprises other nutritionally valuable ingredients such as various oils and fats, plant protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and the like. In one embodiment, the gel is prepared by first blending the appropriate ingredients into a homogenous mass, casting the mass into a block, and then cutting the block into the desired shapes using a patterned cutter.

Abstract: Sport and game fish are attracted to an area of a lake, stream or other body of water by a fish attractant block comprising a cured formulation of compositional components suspended in the aquatic medium by a rope or similar suspension means. The fish attractant block is prepared by first formulating a relatively homogeneous mixture of the block compositional components, transferring this liquid composition from a mixer to a package equipped with a rope, and then allowing the liquid formulation to cure. Representative ingredients of the formulation include molasses, fish oil, fish meal, attapulgite clay, a phosphate source and magnesium oxide (a curing assist). The blocks of this invention are not only effective at attracting game and sport fish, but they are also water stable and environmentally benign.

Abstract: A method is disclosed providing a more efficient and economical method of feeding ruminants a lower crude protein diet while still achieving the same level of milk and milk component yield as ruminants fed a normal crude protein diet. Specifically, the method involves feeding ruminants an animal feed supplement comprising at least one rumen protected protein in combination with a lower crude protein diet. This method provides a unique approach to feed formulation in that it allows for up to a 50% reduction in crude protein intake while maintaining the intestinal protein supply and milk component yield. This in turn results in a reduction of animal urinary nitrogen losses as well as a reduction in feed costs.

Abstract: Hard, stable, extruded animal feed nuggets are prepared for ruminants, the nuggets comprising between about 90 to 99 wt % of at least one protein-containing ingredient and between about 1.0 to 6.0 wt % of added fat. Preferably, the animal feed nugget is also comprised of between about 0.02 and 5.0 wt % of sulfur. The animal feed nugget of this invention is prepared by a method comprising the steps of:A. plasticizing a blend of at least one protein-containing ingredient, added fat, sulfur, if present, and water in an extruder,B. extruding the plasticized blend to form an animal feed nugget, andC. drying the extruded nugget to a water content of less than about 12 wt %, based on the total weight of the nugget.Animal feed nuggets prepared by this method function as a rumen escape composition in that they permit the release of beneficial nutrients in the abomasum or subsequent digestive tract.

Abstract: Hard, stable, extruded animal feed nuggets are prepared for ruminants, the nuggets comprising between about 90 to 99 wt % of at least one protein-containing ingredient and between about 1.0 to 6.0 wt % of added fat. Preferably, the animal feed nugget is also comprised of between about 0.02 and 5.0 wt % of sulfur. The animal feed nugget of this invention is prepared by a method comprising the steps of:A. plasticizing a blend of at least one protein-containing ingredient, added fat, sulfur, if present, and water in an extruder,B. extruding the plasticized blend to form an animal feed nugget, andC. drying the extruded nugget to a water content of less than about 12 wt %, based on the total weight of the nugget.Animal feed nuggets prepared by this method function as a rumen escape composition in that they permit the release of beneficial nutrients in the abomasum or subsequent digestive tract.

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: The durability of extruded, uncured animal feed pellets is measured by disintegrating the pellets in a test chamber by means of a rotating blade powered by an electric motor. During the test, the rotating blade is maintained at or near a constant rate of rotation and the time over which an increase of power is necessary to drive the blade at constant rotation is sensed to determine the durability of the pellets.

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: 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: 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 high moisture, high energy liquid feed supplement and concentrate for animals (ruminants, cattles) is disclosed which is capable of remaining in stable suspension while containing a high porportion of fat. The suspension is maintained by salts of fatty acids formed in the added fat. Formation of the fatty acid salts is produced by reacting an aqueous base with the fat at an elevated temperature to form the fatty acid salts therein and subsequently adding the additional materials therein.

Abstract: A method of controlling consumption of animal feed is disclosed which is capable of limiting consumption to a desired level per animal without the use of special equipment or additional labor for this purpose. The feed composition includes a basal ration containing an effective amount of sodium hydroxide to control consumption of the feed composition to the desired level.