GB2490530A

GB2490530A - Total mixed ration pellets for cattle, sheep, goats and camels

Info

Publication number: GB2490530A
Application number: GB1107493.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zulfiqar Ali
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-05
Filing date: 2011-05-05
Publication date: 2012-11-07
Also published as: GB201107493D0

Abstract

Total mixed ration pellets suitable for cattle, sheep, goats and camels contain roughage and concentrate portions, in which wheat straw may be the sole source of roughage(10-40%). Concentrate portions may include corn grain, rice polishing, rice bran, wheat bran, canola meal, canola seed, soya bean meal, sunflower meal, sunflower seed vegetable oil, molasses, calcium carbonate, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. The pellets have a low overall moisture content, preferably 10-12% moisture, enabling the pellets to be stored with overheating or spoilage. The pellets supply all of the required nutrients without the need for any further supplements. Animals cannot not sort or separate ingredients since they are physically bound together in the pellet.

Description

TOTAL MIXED RATION PELLETS FOR CATTLE, SHEEP, GOAT AND CAMEL

Background

The present invention relates to the feeding of animals (cattle, sheep. Goat and camel), and more specifically to wheat straw based total mixed ration in pelleted form with moisture content of 10-12%. These pellets may provide consistent nutrients, with fewer problems of sorting, overheating and wastage.

Animals are fed to supply nutrients required for maintenance of good health, growth and better milk production. Primitive feeding of animals was based on grazing/forage only. That was sufficient to fulfil the nutritional needs of low performing animals. As growth and milk production was enhanced by selective breeding, grazing became a limited method of feeding, because grazing was not providing sufficient nutrients to fulfil the nutrient needed for high performance including milk production and growth. As a result, forage was supplemented with concentrates to provide the animals higher levels of nutrients to support better performance. Concentrate supplementation was based on individual animals' production and body weight. As forage and concentrates were fed separately, it was laborious and difficult to feed large number of animals.

Commercialization of farming resulted in big herd size with even much better performance. It was realized that feeding of large number of animals on individual basis is difficult, as a result a new method of feeding emerged with the name of total mixed ration, in which animals are fed on diet which contains both forage and concentrates and supplies the required nutrients. Presently, total mixed ration is probably the most accepted and successful method of commercial animal feeding. Total Mixed Ration can be precisely described as a feed which is made by mixing roughage and processed ingredients to meet the animal's nutrient requirements for optimum performance (milk and meat). Roughage portion includes silage, hay and fodder. Whereas, concentrate portion includes grain, grain by products, protein meals of animal and plant origin, along with some mineral and vitamin supplements. Silage is a major (40-60%) roughage component in total mixed ration.

Dry ingredients such as hay and other concentrates /ingredients are chopped or ground to a required particle size, then all ingredient are mixed together to make this mixture as uniform as possible. This well mixed ration is called total mixed ration and when fed to the ruminant animals have advantages like big herd size can be fed conveniently, better dry matter intake, good rumen pH, better utilization of nutrients, less digestive problems and ultimately better milk production.

With all benefits mentioned above there are still some drawbacks in this feeding system. Such as this system is not very feasible for small herd size, regular monitoring of high moisture ingredient is required, animal may sort ingredients, feed may get overheated and spoiled and due to the fact feed cannot be stored for longer period of time. Most of the problems are associated with its physical form and higher moisture contents. Silage may contribute 40 to 60% of total composition of total mixed ration and 55-65% moisture is present in silage, which results a moisture content of 35to 45% in finished total mixed ration. A product with so high moisture may get overheated even at normal temperature and may be spoiled soon at higher environmental temperatures. Hence, limiting its use in some areas of the world, where there environmental temperature remains relatively high for greater part of the year. High moisture content of total mixed ration in the presence of nutrient encourages the growth of mold and yeast. As a result of microbial fermentation, ration may get overheated and if this process is continued for longer period of time ration may get spoiled. In the process of overheating many nutrients are broken down into undesirable by products. Overheated feeds may develop unpleasant flavour and taste which is not acceptable to cow, and if consumed may result in poor nutrient availability. Some research reports published recently indicated that during microbial growth, feed nutrients especially carbohydrates are especially vulnerable for degradation which leads to lower energy content of the feed and consequently which may result lower milk production of cow. Feed spoilage not only affects the economics of the dairy farm but also adds to environmental pollution.

OBJECTIVE

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new, improved feeding method for animals (cattle sheep, goat and camel) in the form of wheat straw based low moisture total mixed ration pellets, which may enhance animal performance. It is designed to utilize wheat straw as the sole source of roughage with other concentrates of low moisture content, as a result mixed ration may contains required nutrients with low moisture content. When fed to animal may enhance performance.

Another objective of present invention is to provide a new method of feeding to animal in the form of low moisture pellets which may increase animal productivity. Low moisture in pellet, which are prepared in California pellet mill have firm and physically bound ingredients, which can not be sorted by animals during feeding. Hence, chances of ingredient sorting which is faced in conventional total mixed ration feeding can be avoided completely.

A further object of present invention is to resolve the problem of overheating which is common in conventional total mixed ration, Total mixed ration pellets with low moisture (10-12%) are free from overheating, as mold and yeast have very limited ability to propagate on this moisture, hence overheating can be avoided. Which result proper utilization of feed resources without being wasted.

A still further objective may include the better shelf life i.e. low moisture pellets can be stored for a longer period of time even at higher temperature and be transported to a remote area or even other countries of the world. These pellets can be prepared and fed safely in those areas of the world where there environmental temperature remains higher for greater part of the year. Hence this inventive feeding may open new global horizon of dairy feeding.

A still further objective is, this system of feeding can be adopted with minimal infrastructure as ready to feed pellet do not need of having infrastructure in term of equipment, machinery and facilities which is prerequisite for making and feeding conventional total mixed ration.

Statement of Invention

To overcome the problems faced by feeding conventional total mixed ration, in present invention low moisture total mixed ration pellets are developed to feed farm animals (cattle, sheep, goat and camel) which may enhance performance of animal and minimize aforementioned problems associated with feeding conventional total mixed ration mash.

Those objectives are achieved by selecting the ingredients containing low moisture content, formulating diets and pelleting those diets in pellet form. Feeds are formulated to contain roughage and concentrate to provide the nutrient required by the animal (cattle, sheep, goat and camel). Wheat straw was used as sole roughage source in these pellets. Quantity of wheat straw is adjusted with other ingredients to attain required nutrient for the animal being fed. Other ingredients includes corn, rice polishing, rice bran, wheat bran, canola meal, soya bean meal, sunflower meal, molasses cane, di-calcium phosphate, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, vitamin and minerals. Prescribed formulation for specific animal was mixed properly and pelletized in California pellet mill, to produce low moisture total mixed ration pellets. The diameter and length of the pellet may be adjusted according to the need and animal being fed by varying the size of die and cutter adj ustments.

These pellets can be fed to small herd or big herd size, having no problem of ingredient sorting, may increase growth and milk production. Low moisture ( 10-12%) pellets total mixed ration have sufficiently firm texture hence, animal cannot sort ingredient during feeding, due to the fact that in pellets ingredients are firmly bounded together by pelleting.

Advantages This feed can be offered to smaller, medium and large herd size. There is practically no variation in composition of in total mixed rations pellets, can supply very consistent amount of dry matter. More dry matter contents in TMR pellet make it easy to feed the animal more precisely. Unlike to conventional total mixed ration which is in mash form, which has problem of sorting of ingredients, pelleted total mixed ration may not be sorted due to the compact nature of pellets.

Dry pellets of total mixed ration can provide more consistent dry matter and nutrient intake. And as a result of better nutrient intake more milk production may be expected. Due to lower moisture content, ingredients and nutrient it contains are not deteriorated under normal temperature conditions and even at higher environmental temperatures. Hence proves to be a better option for getting higher milk production from dairy animals.

While feeding these pellets, practically no chance of feed spoilage prevails as it contains low moisture (10-12%), which does not favour to mold or yeast growth. Which cause fermentation of feed carbohydrates leading to off flavour feed and poor nutrient digestion and feed utilization.

Brief summary of objective of the invention

The major objective of present invention is to provide the farm animals (cattle, sheep, goat and camel) low moisture total mixed ration in pelleted form, which may provide nutrients required for better performance including growth and! or milk production. Total mixed ration pellets contain both roughage portion and concentrate portion, hence, no supplementary feed in term of roughage or concentrates is required to fulfil the daily nutrient needs of animal (cattle, sheep, goat and camel). It contains higher dry matter content compared to conventional total mixed ration. This is achieved by carefully selecting and using ingredients with higher dry matter content. Wheat straw is added to the level in formulation which may supply both gut fill affect and physically active fibre. The prescribed formulation is processed in pellet mill in a way to keep the fibre in physical active form, which keeps rumen in functionally healthy state. These pellets may be fed according to the dry matter intake of the animal with respect to body weight, growth, milk production, milk composition and body condition score. It may provide all the nutrients required by animal except water.

Lower moisture content in TMR pellet makes it convenient to its preparation, handling, transportation, and storage and feeding. Minimum mo spoilage/losses due to microbial fermentation can be expected due to lower moisture content of this product. Because pellets are firmly bound during pelleting process, having neither tendency to be sorted by animal, nor to be segregated during handling, feeding, packing, transporting and unloading. Higher dry matter in these pellets make it easy to feed animal more accurately than conventional total mixed ration which may have higher and variable moisture content. A final advantage of these pellets may be its long shelf life, which stems from its lower moisture content. When prepared may be stored for months without affecting the nutritional quality. Because of relatively longer shelf life, it can be transported to remote areas; hence farm animals can be reared in those areas where there is less or no forage cultivation. As TMR pellet may have minimum feed wastage and spoilage, so, can improves livestock production profitability. It may be more environment friendly as less ingredient spoilage is expected by this feeding program.

Detailed description

The present invention relates generally to feeding animals, and more particularly, to low moisture total mixed ration in pellet form. The pellets contain both roughage and concentrate portions. However, wheat straw is used as sole source of roughage; its quantity is adjusted with other ingredients to develop a product with low moisture and optimum nutrient. These pellets of total mixed ration may provide feeding for animals including cattle, sheep, goat and camel. When these pellets are fed to animal at recommended dry matter intake may increase their performance.

Animals are fed to provide the nutrients required for better health, growth and production. Values for nutrient required per day are taken from those publications meant for specific animal (cattle, sheep, goat and camel). As an example for nutrient requirements of dairy cow, values published are given in Table-1.Following publication may provide data regarding nutrient requirements of animals under discussion.

1. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle Seventh revised edition 2001, Washington, D.C. National Academy Press.

2. Nutrient requirements of Beef Cattle Seventh revised edition 2000, Washington, D.C. National Academy Press.

3. Nutrient requirements of Sheep Sixth Revised Edition 1985 Washington, D.C. National Academy Press.

4. Nutrient requirements of Goats: Angora, Dairy, and Meat Goats in Temperate and Tropical Countries. 1981 Washington, D.C. National Academy Press.

5. Nutrient Requirement of Camel. 1984 Wilson, R.T., I.L.C.A., Addis Ababa (Ethopia) Formulations are designed to not exceed the dietary recommendation for that specific animal.

However, if some values go above that recommended for animal due to unavoidable reason, higher values are accepted in that case. Nutrient compositions of ingredients used in these formulations are also taken from respective publication. In case of some variation in nutrient compared to those in available ingredient, other relevant values are modified accordingly. Special consideration was given to the factors which are important for normal health, wellbeing and performance. As ruminant animals needs a certain level of dietary fibre for healthy digestive system, rumination, salivation and ultimately growth and milk production. So rations are formulated to contain both right amount and type of structural carbohydrates in term of fibre. Roughages are major source of dietary fibre in ruminant feeding. In conventional total mixed ration, roughage sources include silage (corn, grass, and legume) and hay (corn, grass and legume). Which are mixed with concentrate to achieve levels of required nutrient. Quantity of silage as roughage sources is adjusted with concentrates to provide balance nutrition for better performance. In silage based conventional total mixed ration, percentage of silage portion varies from 40-60% (table2). As silage contain a moisture content of 60-65% (table 4), due to which total mixed ration may have moisture content in the range of 40-45% (Table.3). As a result being mash form and high level of moisture in conventional total mixed ration many problems like sorting of ingredient, overheating and feed spoilage may occur. These problems can be minimized if a total mixed ration with low moisture be developed and further improvement may expect if developed in pelleted form.

To develop present invention( total mixed ration pellet) with lower moisture content, ingredients with low moisture content are selected (table 5). Wheat straw is one of the potential ingredients which can be used as roughage to develop low moisture ration. This can be used in ruminant feed, to provide required type and amount of fibre needed by specific animal. Although it is not considered as ingredient of choice for livestock feeding due to various reason. But it is still fed as roughage source in many countries of the world, especially Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Where wheat straw is frequently used to feed ruminant but it is not properly utilized because of feeding of lack of balanced rations. However, in many parts of the world, a

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surplus wheat straw is available that can be used in livestock feeds. If used in ruminant feed can be converted into good quality animal protein like milk and meat. In present invention, wheat straw is used as sole roughage source along with other concentrate to provide balance nutrition to farm animals including cattle sheep, goat and camel.

Quantity of wheat straw is adjusted with amount of concentrates to achieve required nutrient levels for the animals (cattle, sheep, goat and camel). Quantity of wheat straw required to balance feed for different animals ranged from 10 to 40% of total formulation on as such basis. Quantities of other ingredients including corn (5-25%), rice polishing(10-35%), rice bran (10-35%), wheat bran(10-35%), canola meal (5-15%), canola seed (1-5%), soya bean meal (5-15%), sunflower meal (2-15%), Sunflower seed (1-5%), Molasses 2-10%) and vegetable oil (0.1-5%). Their quantity can be increased or decreased from these ranges if and when required.

The quantity of macro mineral supplement is presented in table.6. Vitamin and minerals premix supplies recommended vitamins and micro minerals. Values of vitamins and minerals of animal under consideration is taken (if available) from their requirement tables and be supplied through premix to the ration by adding prescribed quantity of premix. However, quantities of all major ingredients are adjusted to get a ratio which may fulfil the amount of nutrients required that animal. Wheat straw with straw size of 0.5-1.5 inches in length may be used in unground form. However, some portion of wheat straw is ground when formulation contains very high levels of it.

All ingredient needed may be calculated by using appropriate computer software. This gives the quantities of ingredient required and their ratios. Ingredients may be ground to required particle size to achieve better mixing and feed utilization. That can be done with hammer mill or rolling body. Required quantity of all ingredients are weighed accurately and convoyed to mixer, where all ingredients are mixed together for a period of 3-5 minutes. The mash thus formed is transferred to holding bin. From holding bin it is convoyed to pelleting mill. Mash may be pelletized by using California pellet mill. However, pellets are made under cold press conditions. The pellet diameter and length can be adjusted on pelleting machine according to the need of animal being fed or feeding system. The pellets thus prepared are transferred to cooler to adjust moisture in the range of 10-12%. These pellets are ready to feed for animals to achieve required dry matter and nutrient intake. While feeding total mixed ration pellets, an abundant supply of fresh and clean water should be made available round the clock.

Total mixed ration pellets have advantage over conventional total mixed ration. For example in one case, the pellets have minimum to no chances of being sorted for ingredients being unpalatable by cow, which is major problem faced by feeding conventional total mixed ration. This may achieved because of physical form of pellets, those pellets are firmly bound as a result of high pressure applied during pelleting process in pellet mill. These pellets can be fed directly without soaking or softening in water as they are not very hard. Hence, may be easily consumed by animals to the levels as to fulfil the dry matter required for specific body weight and production level.

In other case, pelleted total mixed ration is formulated to have moisture content of 10-12%; as a result, a dry matter content of 88-90% is achieved. This may reduce the risk of overheating or spoilage by yeast and mild growth. Because for mold and yeast growth higher level of moisture is required, this is not available in these pellets of total mixed ration. Though, it is a common cause of overheating and feed wastage in conventional total mixed ration with moisture of 40-45%. But, not be expected in pellets due to lower moisture content.

In further other case, the roughage portion in these pellets includes wheat straw which in unground, unlike to other ingredients included in this formulation. Wheat straw when mixed with other ingredients, its palatability is improved. Secondly, wheat straw has enough fibre length which may provide functional fibre to dairy cow. This may help to maintain the functionality of rumen in particular and digestion process in general.

This roughage also provide good fermentation environment in rumen which help to microbial digestion of other nutrients which provide useful precursor for growth and milk constituent synthesis. Furthermore, it helps to maintain healthy balance of micro flora in the rumen, essential for good health and better performance in term of weight gain and milk production.

TABLE 1 Nutrient requirements of Lactating Dairy Cow as Determined Using Sample Diets Days in milk 90 90 90 Milk Production (kg) 35 45 Dry matter intake (kg) 20.3 23.6 26.9 Dailywt change (kg) 0.5 0.3 0.1 Energy NEI (Mcal/day) 27.90 34.80 41.8 NEI (Mcal/kg) 1.37 1.47 1.55 Protein Metabolizable protein (g/day) 1862 2407 2954 Metabolizable protein (% of diet) 9.20 10.2 11.0 Rumen degradable protein (% of diet) 9.50 9.70 9.80 Rumen undegradable protein (% of diet) 4.60 5.50 6.20 Crudeprotein(RDP+RUDP) (%ofdiet) 14.10 15.20 16.0 Fibre and Carbohydrates Neutral detergent Fiber (mm %) 25-33 25-33 25-33 Acid detergent Fiber (min%) 17-21 17-21 17-21 Non fibre carbohydrates (max %) 36-44 36-44 36-44 Minerals Dietary Calcium (%) 0.62 0.61 0.67 Dietary phosphorus (%) 0.32 0.35 0.36 Magnesium (%) 0.18 0.19 0.2 Chloride (%) 0.24 0.26 0.28 Potassium (%) 1.00 1.04 1.06 Sodium (%) 0.22 0.23 0.22 Sulphur (%) 0.20 0.20 0.2 Cobalt (mg/kg) 11 11 0.11 Copper (mg/kg) 11 11 11 Iodine (mg/kg) 0.6 0.5 0.44 Iron (mg/kg) 12.3 15 17 Manganese (mg/kg) 14 14 13 Selenium (mg/kg) 0.3 0.3 0.3 Zinc (mg/kg) 43 48 52 Vitamin A (lU/kg) 3685 3169 2780 Vitamin D (lU/kg) 1004 864 758 Vitamin E (lU/kg) 27 23 20 Source: NRC (2001) Table 2 Typical Diet Total Mixed Ration formulation Milk Production 25kg 35kg 45kg Ingredient TMR-l TMR-ll TMR-lll Corn silage normal 8.48 8.21 5.61 Soybean meal solv 48% cp 1.01 1.62 1.41 Legume forage silage mid-maturity 3.85 4.57 Corn grain, steam flaked 1.8 4.33 7.08 Calcium carbonate 0.04 0.07 0.09 Monosodium phosphate (1 H20) 0.02 0.02 0.04 Legume forage hay, immature 6.16 Sodium chloride 0.12 0.011 0.12 Grass hay c-s mid-mat 4.47 3.21 0.98 Vitamin and mineral premix 0.54 0.54 0.51 Bermudagrass hay, coastal 0.87 Source: NRC (2001) Table.3 Calculated Nutrient Analysis of different total mixed Rations and Total mixed ration pellet Nutrient TMRl* TMRIl* TMRlll* TMR pellet@ Moisture % 46.57 43.20 29.30 12.00 Dry Matter % 53.23 56.89 70.70 88.00 Crude Protein % 14.25 15.21 15.49 15.20 NDF 40.96 35.90 29.62 39.10 ADF % 27.11 23.73 19.01 23.50 DE (Mcal/kg) 2.89 3.07 3.20 3.05 TDN 64.71 68.54 71.57 68.20 *=: NRC (2001) @= Values from invention, Total mixed ration pellet for dairy cattle TABLE. 4 Dry Matter and moisture contents of ingredients used in conventional total mixed ration Ingredient name Dry matter Moisture 0/ 0-/0 /0 Corn Silage, normal 35.10 64.90 Soya bean meal, solv. 48% cp 89.50 10.50 Legume forage silage, mid-maturity 42.90 57.10 Corn gain, steam flaked 88.10 11.90 Calcium carbonate 100 0 Mono sodium phosphate (1H20) 100 0 Legume forage hay, immature 84.20 15.80 Sodium chloride 100 0 Grass hay, c-3mid-mat 83.80 16.20 Vitamin mineral mix Bermudagrass hay, coastal 87.10 12.90 Source: NRC (2001) Table.5 Dry matter and moisture content of feed ingredients used to formulate total mixed ration pellets.

Ingredient name Dry matter Moisture 0/ 0/ /0 /0 Corn grain 88.10 11.90 Rice polishing 88.00 12.00 Rice Bran 90.60 9.40 Wheat bran 89.10 11.90 Canola meal 90.30 9.70 Soy bean meal 44% 89.10 10.90 Sunflower meal 92.20 7.80 Molasses cane 74.30 25.70 Sodium chloride 100 0 Sodium bicarbonate 100 0 Calcium carbonate 100 0 Wheat straw 92.70 17.30 Source: NRC (2001) Table 6 Ingredients and their levels usage for total mixed ration pellet Ingredient name Usage 0/ /0 Corn grain 5-25% Rice polishing 10-35% Rice Bran 10-35% Wheat bran 10-35%0 Canola meal 5-15% Canola seed 1-5% Soy bean meal 44% 5-15% Sunflower meal 2-15% Sunflower seed 1-5% Molasses cane 2-10% Sodium chloride 0..2-2.0% Sodium bicarbonate 0.2-2.0% Calcium carbonate 0.2-2.5% Wheat straw 10-40%

Vegetable Oil 0.1-5%

Claims

TOTAL MIXED RATION PELLETS FOR CA1TLE, SHEEP, GOAT AND CAMEL What is claimed is: 1. A method of formulating and producing low moisture total mixed ration pellets for cattle, sheep, goat and camel, which may increase their performance (growth and/or milk production).
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said total mixed ration is formulated to contain moisture in the range of 10-12% on as such basis.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said total mixed ration in prepared in the form of pellet.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said total mixed ration pellet include wheat straw as sole forage, wheat straw in combination with other concentrate may provide balance nutrition to animals being fed.
5. The method according to claim 1 herein total mixed ration pellets contain wheat straw in unground form to support the proper digestion including salivation, rumination and rumen pH of animals being fed on these pellet.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein animals including cattle, sheep, goat and camel can be fed and may supply all required nutrients on this ration without any need of supplementary forage or concentrate, except supply of plenty of fresh and clean water.
7. The method according to claim 2 wherein the proportion of wheat straw in the range of 10- 40% on as such basis.
8. The method according to claim 2 wherein low moisture total mixed ration pellets are formulated and prepared as to have no problem of overheating and feed spoilage due to its low moisture content.
9. The method according to claim 2 wherein pelleted total mixed ration may be stored for longer period of time without any significant change in nutrient composition.
10. The method according to claim 3 wherein the animal can no sort ingredient while fed on total mixed ration pellets, as pellets are in physical bound together by compression during pelleting.
11. The method according to claim 3 wherein low moisture total mixed ration pellets are made by adjusting the ratio as required of wheat straw with, corn grains, rice polishing, rice bran, wheat bran, canola meal, canola seed, soya bean meal, sunflower meal, sunflower seed, vegetable oil and vitamin and mineral supplements, ratio may differ in formulation of feed for different animals such as dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goat and camel.