Abstract: The present invention provides a method of improving the growth rate and/or feed conversion efficiency of ruminant livestock during the starter/adaptation phase of feedlotting, wherein said method includes or consists of feeding to the ruminant livestock, protected carbohydrate such that 30-80% of said protected carbohydrate is capable of passing through the rumen undigested leaving 30-80% of said protected carbohydrate available for digestion post-ruminally.

Abstract: This invention concerns the delivery of anti-parasitic agents to ruminant animals. More particularly, the invention concerns delivery of such agents in a controlled manner to enable the agent to have maximum effect on the parasite for longer times than is possible with conventional formulations. The composition of the invention comprises a benzimidazole, macrocyclic lactone, organophosphate, salicylanilide/substituted phenol, tetramisole or pyrimidine anti-parasitic agent dispersed in a medium the solubility characteristics of which are such as to ensure that, following oral administration, controlled amounts of the anti-parasitic agent become available to the parasite, either directly or by absorption into the ruminant blood plasma, during passage of the composition through the rumen, the abomasum and the intestine.

Abstract: This invention relates to techniques for improving the efficiency of feed conversion, growth and yield of meat from ruminant livestock. There is provided a method of improving the growth rate and modifying the carcass quality of ruminant livestock. The method includes simultaneously feeding to the animal a protected protein meal and, in addition, a protected lipid in amounts which synergistically improve the growth rate and modify the carcass quality.

Abstract: Improved ruminant milk and meat products are formed by feeding ruminant animals prior to slaughter or milking a feed supplement comprising lipid encapsulated by a protein aldehyde reaction product which protects the lipid from degradation in the rumen and allows the dietary lipid to digest in the abomasum and lower gut and become assimilated by the ruminant animal. In one particular embodiment, the dietary lipid is unsaturated, e.g., polyunsaturated vegetable oil, and the resulting meat and milk products are correspondingly high in unsaturated lipid content.