Abstract: A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance during periods of heat stress involves determining the non-livestock ruminant animal is experiencing heat stress during a period of heat stress conditions, and feeding the heat stressed non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including an amount of the phytogenic composition that is effective to improve performance. A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance in anticipation of periods of heat stress involves determining a potential for heat stress is increased based on one or more of historical weather patterns or short-term forecasts, and feeding the non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including the phytogenic composition based on the determined potential for heat stress.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Isoflavone-supplemented milk replacers fed to young animals during a pre-weaning provides isoflavones in the milk replacer at a level of about 700 mg per kilogram of the milk replacer, and/or provides about 450 mg of the supplemental isoflavone in at least about 1.5 pounds of the milk replacer by dry weight such that the animal ingests this amount of the isoflavone per day, and/or provides in the milk replacer at least about 50 mg of isoflavone per pound of the animal’s birth weight is ingested per day. In response to ingesting the isoflavone-supplemented milk replacer, the young animal experiences improved performance.

Abstract: Isoflavone-supplemented milk replacers fed to young animals during a pre-weaning provides isoflavones in the milk replacer at a level of about 700 mg per kilogram of the milk replacer, and/or provides about 450 mg of the supplemental isoflavone in at least about 1.5 pounds of the milk replacer by dry weight such that the animal ingests this amount of the isoflavone per day, and/or provides in the milk replacer at least about 50 mg of isoflavone per pound of the animal's birth weight is ingested per day. In response to ingesting the isoflavone-supplemented milk replacer, the young animal experiences improved performance.

Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.

Abstract: Methods of feeding young animals involves mixing sensory compounds containing botanicals, essential oils or both with at least one of a milk replacer and/or starter feed and providing the feed to the young animals to reduce feed refusal or intake variation. A method of reducing feed intake variation in a group of young animals includes feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds containing licorice root in at least one of a milk replacer or a starter feed to reduce feed intake variation compared to a group of young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. Reducing feed refusal in a young livestock animal may also include feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds in one or more of a milk replacer and a starter feed such that the young animal reduces feed refusal compared to a young animal fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.

Abstract: Methods of feeding young animals involves mixing sensory compounds containing botanicals, essential oils or both with at least one of a milk replacer and/or starter feed and providing the feed to the young animals to reduce feed refusal or intake variation. A method of reducing feed intake variation in a group of young animals includes feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds containing licorice root in at least one of a milk replacer or a starter feed to reduce feed intake variation compared to a group of young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. Reducing feed refusal in a young livestock animal may also include feeding an effective amount of sensory compounds in one or more of a milk replacer and a starter feed such that the young animal reduces feed refusal compared to a young animal fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.

Abstract: Methods involve feeding young animals milk products containing milk-based protein, a halide and a source of hydrogen peroxide, where an active lactoperoxidase system is not present in the milk product fed to the young animal, in response to ingesting the milk product, the young animal decreases a feed to gain ratio. Milk replacers may be provided as the milk product, and the young animals may be calves. Milk replacers contain milk-derived protein, a source of hydrogen peroxide at about 50 to about 500 parts per million by weight of the rehydrated milk replacer and iodide at about 1 to about 50 parts per million by weight of the rehydrated milk replacer, where an active lactoperoxidase system is not present.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

Abstract: Consumable feed products and vegetation are delivered to animals using a single container in which the container holds the feed product and is used to deliver the feed and which includes ungerminated seeds embedded in the container body. The seeds are caused to germinate and produce vegetation from the container body, and the germinated seeds and/or vegetation is fed to the animal. Multiple containers may be used simultaneously so that while the consumable feed product from one container is used to feed an animal, another container may be used to grow vegetation or deliver vegetation to the animal. Confined birds such as poultry and chicks may benefit from ingesting feed and vegetation produced from such containers.

Abstract: Methods of feeding livestock animals involve feeding the livestock animals a milk replacer comprising percarbonate. The milk replacer has a pH of about 5.8 and the concentration of percarbonate is effective to reduce bacterial growth within the milk replacer product. The milk replacer can also include at least one added organic acid.

Abstract: Consumable feed products and vegetation are delivered to animals using a single container in which the container holds the feed product and is used to deliver the feed and which includes ungerminated seeds embedded in the container body. The seeds are caused to germinate and produce vegetation from the container body, and the germinated seeds and/or vegetation is fed to the animal. Multiple containers may be used simultaneously so that while the consumable feed product from one container is used to feed an animal, another container may be used to grow vegetation or deliver vegetation to the animal. Confined birds such as poultry and chicks may benefit from ingesting feed and vegetation produced from such containers.

Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.

Abstract: Methods of feeding livestock animals involve feeding the livestock animals a milk replacer comprising percarbonate. The milk replacer has a pH of about 5.8 and the concentration of percarbonate is effective to reduce bacterial growth within the milk replacer product. The milk replacer can also include at least one added organic acid.

Abstract: A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance during periods of heat stress involves determining the non-livestock ruminant animal is experiencing heat stress during a period of heat stress conditions, and feeding the heat stressed non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including an amount of the phytogenic composition that is effective to improve performance. A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance in anticipation of periods of heat stress involves determining a potential for heat stress is increased based on one or more of historical weather patterns or short-term forecasts, and feeding the non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including the phytogenic composition based on the determined potential for heat stress.

Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.

Abstract: A method of improving the health of a first group of young monogastric mammals, the first group of young monogastric mammals nursing from a first lactating monogastric mammal during a pre-weaning period, the method including feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of an animal feed during the pre-weaning period, and feeding the first lactating monogastric mammal an effective amount of sugar alcohol during the pre-weaning period.

Abstract: A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance during periods of heat stress involves determining the non-livestock ruminant animal is experiencing heat stress during a period of heat stress conditions, and feeding the heat stressed non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including an amount of the phytogenic composition that is effective to improve performance. A method of feeding a non-livestock ruminant animal a feed composition including a phytogenic composition for improving performance in anticipation of periods of heat stress involves determining a potential for heat stress is increased based on one or more of historical weather patterns or short-term forecasts, and feeding the non-livestock ruminant animal the feed composition including the phytogenic composition based on the determined potential for heat stress.

Abstract: A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.