Abstract: An improved pellet mill die is disclosed which has improved production efficiency without a corresponding loss in pellet quality or durability. The die comprises a compression side, a discharge side, and a plurality of die holes extending through the die. The die holes have a countersink on the compression side, and preferably at least a portion of die holes have a relief section to thereby define a working section of the die hole where the pellet is formed, and an effective thickness for the die holes which is preferably less than the distance between the compression and discharge side of the die. The die has a ratio of effective thickness to countersink diameter of at least about 1.8 to 1 wherein the countersink diameter is at least about 137% and preferably between about 137-159% of the working section diameter.

Abstract: An improved pellet mill die is disclosed which has improved production efficiency without a corresponding loss in pellet quality or durability. The die comprises a compression side, a discharge side, and a plurality of die holes extending through the die. The die holes have a countersink on the compression side, and preferably at least a portion of die holes have a relief section to thereby define a working section of the die hole where the pellet is formed, and an effective thickness for the die holes which is preferably less than the distance between the compression and discharge side of the die. The die has a ratio of effective thickness to countersink diameter of at least about 1.8 to 1 wherein the countersink diameter is at least about 137% and preferably between about 137-159% of the working section diameter.

Abstract: An animal feed supplement in a solid, weather resistant block form and method of making is disclosed. The molasses based feed supplement block, intended for consumption primarily by ruminant animals, although not limited thereto, contains ferrous sulfate as a blocking agent. The feed supplement also comprises a water absorbent clay, a phosphorous source and finely ground magnesium oxide as well as an edible fat or oil in sufficient quantities to set into a solid block when admixed with the blocking agent. A preferred block composition is prepared by a method which comprises admixing the molasses, water, phosphate source and water absorbent clay under high speed shearing action for an effective amount of time to disperse the clay, admixing edible fat and dispersing it in the mixture and then admixing ferrous sulfate and finely ground magnesium oxide to obtain a nutrient mixture. The mixture is then poured into molds or packages and solidifies to form a hard block.

Abstract: An animal feed supplement in a solid, weather resistant block form and method of making is disclosed. The molasses based feed supplement block, intended for consumption primarily by ruminant animals, although not limited thereto, contains ferrous sulfate as a blocking agent. The feed supplement also comprises a water absorbent clay, a phosphorous source and magnesium oxide as well as an edible fat or oil in sufficient quantities to set into a solid block form in less than one hour at room temperature when admixed with the blocking agent. A preferred block composition is prepared by a method which comprises admixing the molasses, water, phosphorous source and water absorbing clay under high speed shearing action for an effective amount of time to disperse the clay, admixing edible fat and dispersing it in the mixture and then admixing ferrous sulfate and magnesium oxide to obtain a viscous nutrient mixture that thickens quickly.

Abstract: A method of preventing iron deficiency anemia in baby pigs and an animal feed supplement containing an iron source is disclosed. The molasses based feed supplement block, intended for consumption primarily by baby pigs, contains fat as a major energy source to aid in weight gain and an effective amount of a nutritional iron source to inhibit anemia in baby pigs. The animal feed supplement may also contain ferrous sulfate to aid in the setting of the supplement in block form.

Abstract: An animal feed supplement in a solid, weather resistant block form and method of making is disclosed. The molasses based feed supplement block, intended for consumption primarily by ruminant animals, although not limited thereto, contains magnesium oxide as a blocking agent. The feed supplement also comprises a water absorbent clay, a phosphorous source and an edible fat or oil in sufficient quantities to set into a solid block in a relatively short period of time at ambient temperatures. A preferred block composition is prepared by a method which comprises admixing the molasses, water, phosphorous source and water absorbing clay under high speed shearing action for an effective amount of time to disperse the clay, admixing edible fat and dispersing it in the mixture and then admixing magnesium oxide to obtain a viscous nutrient mixture that thickens quickly. The mixture is then poured into molds or packages and solidifies to form a hard depackagable block.

Abstract: A method of producing a dry, extruded feed for carnivorous animals containing a large amount of proteinaceous materials, a minor amount of farinaceous materials and up to about 24% fat by weight is disclosed. More specifically, a hard dry high fat feed having excellent particle integrity is extruded under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure without the use of materials to selectively bind the fat to the other food ingredients.

Abstract: An animal feed supplement in a solid, weather resistant block form and method of making is disclosed. The molasses based feed supplement block, intended for consumption primarily by ruminant animals, although not limited thereto, contains magnesium oxide as a blocking agent. The feed supplement also comprises a water absorbent clay, a phosphorous source and an edible fat or oil in sufficient quantities to set into a solid block in a relatively short period of time at ambient temperatures. A preferred block composition is prepared by a method which comprises admixing the molasses, water, phosphorous source and water absorbing clay under high speed shearing action for an effective amount of time to disperse the clay, admixing edible fat and dispersing it in the mixture and then admixing magnesium oxide to obtain a viscous nutrient mixture that thickens quickly. The mixture is then poured into molds or packages and solidifies to form a hard depackagable block.

Abstract: An animal feed supplement in a solid, weather resistant block form and method of making is disclosed. The molasses, based feed supplement block, intended for consumption primarily by ruminant animals, although not limited thereto, contains ferrous sulfate as a blocking agent. The feed supplement also comprises a water absorbent clay, a phosphorous source and magnesium oxide as well as an edible fat or oil in sufficient quantities to set into a solid block form in less than one hour at room temperature when admixed with the blocking agent. A preferred block composition is prepared by a method which comprises admixing the molasses, water, phosphorus source and water absorbing clay under high speed shearing action of an effective amount of time to disperse the clay, admixing edible fat and dispersing it in the mixture and then admixing ferrous sulfate and magnesium oxide to obtain a viscous nutrient mixture that thickens quickly.