Abstract: A method for encapsulating amino acids, vitamins and/or medications where the rumen bypass of the amino acids, vitamins and/or medications is increased. Ruminant supplements produced by the method for encapsulating, methods for producing milk and methods for increasing the production of milk protein.

Abstract: An animal feed that comprises a feedstuff and a coating, where the coating increases the amount of the feedstuff that passes through the rumen without being degraded by the rumen microflora, thereby delivering a larger portion of that feedstuff's associated preformed protein, and the essential amino acids comprising that protein, to the lower gastrointestinal tract. A process for making an animal feed, where the animal feed has enhanced rumen bypass nature of feed ingredients and their associated nutrients, particularly preformed protein and the amino acids that comprise the protein. Methods of increasing the rumen bypass of phosphatidylcholine, methods of increasing the vitamin E value of a feedstuff, methods for increasing rumen escape of the protein and amino acids in a ruminant animal.

Abstract: A novel method of formulating dairy cow rations based on regulation of the content of non-structural carbohydrates and neutral detergent fiber in the total daily ration, including both forage and grain portions, is disclosed. Feedstuffs analyzed to determine the percentages of non-structural carbohydrate and neutral detergent fiber contained thereby were fed in various proportions to test groups of cows under controlled conditions, and to commercial herds under actual field conditions to determine the effects, if any, on milk production by varying the proportion of the total daily ration constituted by non-structural carbohydrates. Also, the proportion of non-structural carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber in the ration was calculated and compared with milk production levels. It was established that milk production was optimized when the total daily ration, including at least one grain and one forage, consists of between about 30% and 45% non-structural carbohydrates, depending upon forage type.