Methods and systems for adjusting rumen undegraded protein in animal diets
AssigneeForage Genetics International, LLC
InventorDavid C. Weakley
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A method for improving performance of a ruminant and/or reducing feed costs, the method comprising:
- receiving a level of rumen undegraded protein (“RUP”) in relation to dry matter in a ruminant feed ration, the RUP level comprising a level of protein in the feed ration to be orally ingested and passed through the rumen in an undegraded or undigested state, wherein the RUP level is based on an analysis of RUP present in one or more feed components in the feed ration;
- modifying the feed ration based on the received RUP level to control an amount of RUP exiting the rumen;
- and
- feeding the modified feed ration to the ruminant.
A method for formulating a ruminant feed:
- selecting feed components for use in a ruminant feed ration;
- receiving nutritional composition analysis results of the selected feed components, said results comprising a rumen undegraded protein (“RUP”) content and a rumen undegraded neutral detergent fiber (“RUNDF”) content of the feed components, the RUP content comprising a protein content in the feed ration to be orally ingested and passed through the rumen in an undegraded or undigested state and the RUNDF content comprising a fiber content in the feed ration orally ingested and forming a mat or mass of undegraded fiber in the rumen;
- and
- formulating the feed ration based on the RUP and RUNDF content of the feed components.
A method of determining a rumen undegraded protein (“RUP”) level in a feed ration, the RUP level comprising a level of protein in the feed ration to be orally ingested and passed through the rumen in an undegraded state, the method comprising:
- generating a calibration curve of RUP content in feed components used in feed rations based on previously analyzed feed component samples;
- analyzing one or more feed components for a RUP content;
- and
- determining a RUP content in a feed ration containing the one or more feed components based on a comparison of results of the analyzed feed components with the calibration curve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.