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AssigneeThe University of British Columbia
InventorsJames A. Shelford, George Kamande
Estimating the term…
Methods and compositions are provided for enhancing feed utilization efficiency in a ruminant animal by adding to the feed a sufficient amount of a nonionic surfactant to enhance the utilization of the feed by the animal. The methods and compositions result in enhanced weight gain and/or milk production by the animal. Preferred nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylenesorbitan trioleate at a concentration range of from about 0.01 to 1% (w/w) of the dry weight of the feed. A digestion enhancing enzyme and lactic acid bacteria inoculum may also be added to the feed. The surfactant is added to the feed by spraying a dilute solution of the surfactant onto the feed, or by coating the surfactant onto a particulate carrier such as celite, diatomaceous earth or silica and adding the carrier to the feed.
A feedstuff composition for enhancing milk production in ruminant animals comprising a feedstuff and from about 0.01 to 1% (w/w) of the dry weight of the feedstuff of a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylenesorbitan trioleate, wherein the nonionic surfactant is added to the feedstuff by coating the nonionic surfactant onto a solid particulate carrier and then adding the carrier to the feedstuff.
A method of enhancing milk production by a ruminant animal, comprising adding to the feed of the animal from about 0.01 to 1% (w/w) of the dry weight of the feed of a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate and polvoxyethylenesorbitan trioleate wherein the nonionic surfactant is added to the feed by coating the nonionic surfactant onto a solid particulate carrier and then adding the carrier to the feed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.