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 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 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 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: Systems and methods measure ruminal undigested fiber fractions in a feed by sampling forages and grains from available feed sources, analyzing the samples to determine a starting NDF value and an ending NDF value after ruminal digestion, calculating a ruminal undigested NDF fraction based thereon; and calculating a feed ration using the ruminal undigested NDF fraction and feeding rates of the analyzed samples. Systems and methods reduce feed costs or improve milk production by analyzing feed components in a feed ration fed to a lactating ruminant, comparing the analyzed results with a feed formulation stored in memory, where the feed formulation is for controlling a rate and extent of fiber and starch digestion in the rumen, and reformulating the feed ration based on the comparison. The rate of fiber digestion may be controlled based on a determination of the ruminal undigested NDF fraction of the analyzed feed components.

Abstract: Systems and methods measure ruminal undigested fiber fractions in a feed by sampling forages and grains from available feed sources, analyzing the samples to determine a starting NDF value and an ending NDF value after ruminal digestion, calculating a ruminal undigested NDF fraction based thereon; and calculating a feed ration using the ruminal undigested NDF fraction and feeding rates of the analyzed samples. Systems and methods reduce feed costs or improve milk production by analyzing feed components in a feed ration fed to a lactating ruminant, comparing the analyzed results with a feed formulation stored in memory, where the feed formulation is for controlling a rate and extent of fiber and starch digestion in the rumen, and reformulating the feed ration based on the comparison. The rate of fiber digestion may be controlled based on a determination of the ruminal undigested NDF fraction of the analyzed feed components.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

Abstract: In a ruminant feed, rumen undegraded protein (“RUP”), which is protein orally ingested and passed through the rumen in an undegraded or undigested state, is determined through analysis of feed components in the feed and is used to modify the feed formulation to control a level of RUP exiting the rumen of the ruminant. Additionally the RUP and rumen undegraded neutral detergent fiber (“RUNDF”) content of selected feed components may be received based on an analysis of the feed components and the feed ration may be formulated accordingly. The RUP content may be determined by comparing analysis results with a calibration curve of previously analyzed feed components.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving meat, or egg production, or improving feed efficiency in poultry. An amount of GI digestible starch component in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to within defined levels or ranges, where meat, or egg production or feed conversion are optimized.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

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 method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for improving milk production in a ruminant. An amount of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of a feed is manipulated to include a first selected ratio of ruminally digestible starch in relation to the dry matter of the feed which is fed to the ruminant during a first time interval after parturition. After the first time interval, the amount of ruminally digestible starch component in the dry matter of the feed is adjusted to a second ratio, lower than the first ratio, and fed to the ruminant.

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: 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 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 supplement containing an effective amount of sodium hydroxide to control consumption of the feed composition to the desired level.