Abstract:
Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods of predicting neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) properties of a feedstuff sample. A method of predicting neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) properties of a feedstuff sample includes collecting a near-infrared spectrum of the feedstuff sample to provide NIR data of the feedstuff sample. The method also includes predicting NDFD of the sample at an elapsed time, NDFD rate of the sample, and/or NDFD extent of the sample from the NIR data using a NIR/NDFD calibration model. Various embodiments provide a method of developing the NIR/NDFD calibration model using in vitro gas production (IVGP). Various embodiments provide a method of predicting digestibility of the feedstuff sample for an animal at a rumen passage rate (eNDF).
Abstract:
A premix is disclosed. The premix includes a nitrate compound and salts thereof in the amount of greater than about 50% by weight of the premix. The premix also includes vitamins and trace minerals. The premix is formulated for use in at least one of a gestation or lactation phase of an animal and in an amount of less than about five percent by weight (5.0 wt %) inclusion per metric ton of the premix. A supplement for an animal feed for feeding during at least one of an animal's gestation phase and/or lactation phase is also disclosed. A method for feeding an animal is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a gelled feed for piglets, said method comprising: a) forming a mixture of water and of a gelling agent, b) adding at least one nutritive element to said mixture, c) cooling the mixture until the mixture has gelled, d) destructuring the gelled mixture to obtain a gelled feed for piglets, wherein the gelling agent comprises from 50 to 75% by weight of xanthan gum, from 0.5 to 13% by weight of locust bean gum and from 12 to 37% by weight of guar gum, relative to the total weight of the gelling agent, and the temperature of the water is from 65 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius, for example 80 degrees Celsius. The present invention also relates to a gelled feed for piglets, obtained by the process defined according to the invention.
Abstract:
A method for developing a calibration for a near infrared reflectance spectrophotometer to predict the particle score of an ingredient, the method comprising (a) sorting a plurality of plant matter samples by size by passing such samples through a screen and subsequently calculating a particle score for the samples based on the number of samples passing through the screen, (b) measuring the absorbance or reflectance of the plurality of plant matter samples using the spectrophotometer, and (c) correlating the particle score from step (a) with the measured absorbance or reflectance from step (b),
Abstract:
A system for and method of determining a formulation for an animal feed having a customized nucleic acid material content. The system can include an animal profile, an animal nutrient requirement profile, an evaluation criteria, and/or ingredient nutrient content profiles. The information contained in the profiles and criteria can be used to calculate a formulation having a desirable nucleic acid material content. The optimized nucleic acid material content can be used to maximize satisfaction of an evaluation criteria.
Abstract:
Animal feeds, which include compositions utilizing mucosa byproducts derived from mucosal material, such as digested gut material, are provided. The feeds can include a mucosa byproduct which contains at least about 10 wt. % nucleic acid material; at least about 20 wt. % mucopolysaccharides; and no more than about 10 wt. % proteinaceous material. The mucosa byproduct is produced by a process which includes digesting animal mucosal material to form a mucosal digest; and separating the mucosal digest to provide (a) a protein-enriched stream and (b) a polyanionic-enriched stream, which includes mucopolysaccharides and nucleic acid material.
Abstract:
A premix is disclosed. The premix includes a nitrate compound and salts thereof in the amount of greater than about 50% by weight of the premix. The premix also includes vitamins and trace minerals. The premix is formulated for use in at least one of a gestation or lactation phase of an animal and in an amount of less than about five percent by weight (5.0 wt %) inclusion per metric ton of the premix. A supplement for an animal feed for feeding during at least one of an animal's gestation phase and/or lactation phase is also disclosed. A method for feeding an animal is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improving the quality of meat obtained from an animal. In one aspect, the method relates to feeding an animal a diet containing calcium nitrate. In one aspect, the method relates to improving the redness of the meat color.
Abstract:
Disclosed are embodiments for segmenting an animal feed bunk. The feed bunk is segmented, in some embodiments, into segments that include reachable animal feed, and other segments that include unreachable animal feed. Volume estimates of feed in each of the segments are generated, in some embodiments, via imaging data of the feed bunk captured by a LIDAR sensor or passive optical sensor. The volume estimates trigger alerts in some instances indicating feed shortages or a need for a push up operation to move feed from an unreachable segment to a reachable segment. Demarcation of feeding events, coupled with volume estimations of feed remaining provide for determination of refusal volumes, which are useful in determining animal appetite.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and devices for measuring the musculature of animal. In some embodiments, the musculature of the animal is measured using by generating traces of the animal using a flexicurve ruler and comparing the traces to a reference and/or previous traces of the animal. The methods can be used to improve an animal's musculature by evaluating the muscle development of the animal and changing the animal's diet or exercise regime based on the results of the evaluation.