Texas Tech University System

Other

Vivien Gore Allen

Kevin R Pond

Korinn E Saker

Joseph P Fontenot

Seaweed supplement is included in diet of mammals and poultry to enhance immune response. In one embodiment, pasture forage is treated with seaweed supplement. In another embodiment, seaweed meal is directly fed to mammals and enhanced immune responses is manifested by increased width response after intradermal injection of phytohemaglutinin. In an independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to pigs exposed to PRRS disease to impart resistance to said disease and improve performance. In stilt another independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to lactating mares prior to weaning to mitigate the stress of weaning.

Seaweed supplement diet for enhancing immune response in mammals and poultry

Seaweed supplement, e.g., seaweed extract or seaweed meal is directly fed to cattle or pigs in amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight of diet to enhance carcass quality. The enhancement of carcass quality for cattle is manifested by increased quality grade, increased marbling, increased ribeye area and decrease in yield grade in meat obtained on slaughter compared to where seaweed supplement is not fed. The enhancement of carcass quality for swine is manifested by increased marbling, increased firmness and decreased cooler shrink in meat obtained on slaughter compared to where seaweed supplement is not fed.

Direct feeding of seaweed supplement to cattle and swine to enhance carcass quality

Seaweed supplement is included in diet of mammals and poultry to enhance immune response. In one embodiment, pasture forage is treated with seaweed supplement. When cattle or lambs are grazed on seaweed supplement treated endophyte-infected forage, immune function is preserved or depressed immune function is reversed. The enhanced immune function continues to the feedlot finishing phase even though no seaweed supplement is fed in that phase. In an independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to pigs exposed to PRRS disease to impart resistance to said disease and improve performance. In still another independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to lactating mares prior to weaning to mitigate the stress of weaning.

A method of obtaining beef of increased shelf-life comprises the step of grazing cattle on forage on or into which seaweed supplement has been incorporated or directly feeding seaweed supplement to cattle during the feedlot finishing period. A method of obtaining pork of increased shelf-life comprises the step of feeding seaweed supplement to pigs during the nursery period of their life cycle. A preferred seaweed is

Producing meat with enhanced shelf-life

Seaweed harvested from the ocean when ground as an intact meal or exposed to alkaline hydrolsis extraction procedure resulting in a water soluble form provides a feed ingredient with mineral composition and plant growth regulating activity when included as a pasture treatment or feed ingredient for mammals and poultry, resulting in enhanced immune function, enhanced health, weight gain, and meat grade quality. Steers grazing seaweed extract treated forage continued to exhibit enhanced immune function after entering feedlot phase finishin with no seaweed extract diet supplement.

Growing community of inventors

Lubbock, TX, United States of America

Vivien Gore Allen