Other

Jack J Schroeder

James W Sawhill

Milo D Appleman

John E Findley

The invention is a sugar solution-based, preferably molasses-based, animal feed supplement which is produced as a viscous liquid that is gelled into a hard solid by the addition of a soluble calcium salt or oxide, preferably calcium oxide, a soluble phosphate, and a substantial quantity of magnesium oxide. Prior to its solidification a limited amount of discrete cellulose fibers can also be added to reinforce the solid and prevent its cracking. The solid product is hard and water resistant and has a limited consumption rate.

Hard solid animal feed supplement

There is disclosed a solid animal feed supplement block packaged in block form with structural members that subdivide the block. The block has a reduced consumption rate that results from the structural members within the block. The preferred members comprise partitions formed of corregated cardboard which subdivide the block into a plurality of cells. The animal feed supplement can contain a drug and the partitions can provide a convenient measure of the drug dosage, preferably by providing a plurality of solid blocks or cubes each of which provides a premeasured dosage, e.g., a daily dosage for a single animal.

Animal feed supplement in block form with reduced consumption rate

There is disclosed a method for the manufacture of a solid animal feed supplement employing an in-situ reaction between a hydratable metal oxide such as calcium oxide and a water soluble phosphate, such as phosphoric acid to solidify the product. The method comprises the addition of the metal oxide to a concentrated dispersion of a water soluble sugar such as molasses, whey and the like, to hydrate the metal oxide. After sufficient hydration has occurred to provide the desired quantity of reactant metal ions in soluble form, a condition which can be detected by monitoring the pH, temperature, or time following addition of the metal oxide, the soluble phosphate is added to cause solidification of the resultant mixture.

Method of preparing a solid animal feed supplement

There is disclosed an animal feed supplement in solid, block form which is sufficiently palatable to permit its free choice feeding and which contains the proper proportions of molasses and/or fat to supply the energy requirements for maintenance and weight gain of the animals. The feed supplement blocks intended for consumption by ruminants also contain a high level of protein derived from nonprotein nitrogen as well as natural protein to function as a supplementary protein source. The feed supplement includes molasses in a major proportion, and solidifying ingredients comprising a phosphate and an oxide or salt of a metal such as aluminum magnesium or calcium, in quantities sufficient to solidify the supplement into solid, block form. The preferred metal ingredient is calcium as the oxide and/or sulfate. The composition can also contain an edible fat or oil and a fat emulsifying agent in sufficient quantity to prevent separation of the fat from the product. In the preferred embodiment, the emulsifying agent is starch which is employed in sufficient quantities to accelerate the hardening of the block. Other components which can, optionally, be included in the block include limited quantities of trace minerals, antibiotics and vitamins. The fat component can also contain an antioxidant to inhibit degradation of the product. The composition is prepared by admixing the ingredients in a manner which permits the in situ reaction of the phosphate source and the alkaline earth metal ingredient. Typically, the ingredients are heated and stirred to disperse the solid components and maintained at a moderate temperature, e.g., about 95 degrees F., for a period of approximately 30 minutes, at which time the mixture thickens substantially. The mixture is then poured into molds or packages and permitted to solidify, reaching a sufficient integrity in a period of from 8 to 10 hours to permit the products to be stacked on pallets for storage and shipping.

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Rolling Hills, CA, United States of America

Jack J Schroeder