Compositions for multiphase, staggered, or sustained release of an active substance

A method of making a composition that exhibits a multiphased, staggered, or sustained release of an active substance in a target environment, the method comprising:

• obtaining a first batch of discreet first particles, each first particle comprising:
• an active substance;
• and
• a first coating material;
• the active substance being at least partially coated with the first coating material;
• the first batch of discreet first particles having a first release profile of the active substance in the target environment;
• obtaining a second batch of discreet second particles, each second particle comprising:
• the active substance;
• and
• a second coating material;
• the active substance being at least partially coated with the second coating material;
• the second batch of discreet second particles having a second release profile of the active substance in the target environment that is different from the first release profile;
• and
• mixing together the first batch of first particles with the second batch of second particles to obtain a mixture;
• wherein:
• the mixture has a cumulative release profile of the active substance in the target environment that is different from the first release profile and the second release profile;
• and
• the first coating material and the second coating material are the same or different.

A method of buffering a rumen environment in a ruminant animal, the method comprising:

• administering to the ruminant a rumen buffering composition comprising:
• a mixture of discreet particles, each particle comprising:
• an active substance selected from the group consisting of alkali hydroxides, alkali metal oxides, alkali salts, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof;
• and
• a coating material;
• the active substance being at least partially coated with the coating material;
• the mixture of discreet particles comprising:
• a first batch of first particles, the first particles of the first batch having a first average weight % ratio of the active substance to the coating material;
• and
• a second batch of second particles, the second particles of the second batch having a second average weight % ratio of the active substance to the coating material, the second average weight ratio being different from the first average weight ratio.