AU2004240168B2 - Composition and method - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: LIVESTOCK NUTRITION TECHNOLOGIES PTY. LTD.

A.C.N. 060 272 068 Invention Title: COMPOSITION AND METHOD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to

US:

COMPOSITION AND METHOD

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IND TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for increasing or stimulating the 00 consumption of water bylivestock, such as cattle.

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BACKGROUND ART Reductions in water consumption by livestock can have undesirable effects on the N, live weight of the animals, the carcase weight of slaughtered animals, and the general health and well-being of the animals.

Changes to the livestock's environment such as mustering the animals or changing the water source can cause the animals to reduce their water consumption.

Transportation of livestock, particularly cattle, can have a detrimental effect on the weight of the animals and the carcase quality of the slaughtered animals.

The major stressors involved in yarding and transporting cattle include mixing of strange cattle together in yards and disruption of social structures, handling cattle andthe stress of transportation. Transportation of cattle can lead to live weight loss, carcase weight loss and meat quality deterioration of slaughter cattle. Loss in weight during transport is affected by several factors including the age and weight of animal, nutritional state, class of animal, type and time of last feed before transport, length of transport and temperature. Transport stressors in association with water loss from tissue (i.e.

dehydration) leads to reduction in intracellular fluids, loss of muscle glycogen and high pH carcases which is associated with dark cutting meat. Inadequate water consumption depresses appetite and rumen function predisposing the animals to disease. Thus the overall well-being of the animal may be compromised by inadequate water consumption prior to, during or after transportation.

Some studies have been carried out to investigate how the symptoms of transport and handling stress in cattle can be minimised. Several articles highlight the benefits of treating travelling/yarded cattle with electrolytes.

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In the early 1990s, one study in Canada Schaefer, V.S. Baron, R.W.

SStanley, S.D.M. Jones and A.K.W. Tong, Abstract 366, World Conference on Animal Production, 1993, Edmonton, Canada) reported the benefits of electrolyte therapy in 00 Salleviating weight losses caused by transport stress to heifers and steers raised on pasture.

This was particularly evident with post-slaughter carcase weights where statistically 00 11significant improvements were demonstrated when cattle held in yards prior to slaughter were provided with either electrolytes or a 5% (50 g/L) glucose drink. It was concluded that these treatments alleviated the deleterious changes to the electrolyte physiology of the animal caused by the stress of handling and transport before slaughter and contributed to an improved meat quality and carcase yield.

Similarly, another study in Canada Schaefer, S.D.M. Jones, A.K.W. Tong and B.A. Young, Can. J. Anim. Sci., 70: 107-119 (Mar 1990)) measured carcase yields of bulls that under went transport and received electrolyte supplementation. Significant improvements in carcase yield were measured.

It would be advantageous to provide a method for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock. It would be particularly advantageous to provide such a method that can be used to increase or stimulate water consumption by transported cattle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the method comprising adding sucrose to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 16 grams per litre of the water.

Typically, the sucrose is added to the water by adding a composition comprising sucrose and other ingredients to the water. The term "livestock's drinking water" refers to water available to be accessed by the livestock for drinking.

The method of the invention can be used to increase or stimulate water consumption by non-stressed livestock or stressed livestock that have reduced their water IO 4 consumption due to stress. The method of the present invention can be used to increase or Sstimulate water consumption by livestock before, during or after transportation.

00 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for increasing or (-i stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the method comprising adding to the 00 livestock's drinking water a composition comprising sucrose, sodium benzoate and

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IN electrolytes in the following amounts: Ingredient Quantity (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 810 to 860 Sodium benzoate 90 to 140 Electrolytes 0 to wherein the composition is added to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 16 grams per litre of the water.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the method comprising adding to the livestock's drinking water a composition comprising sucrose, sodium benzoate and electrolytes in the following amounts: Ingredient Quantity (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 839 Sodium benzoate 110 Electrolytes comprising Sodium 13 Potassium Chloride 16 Bicarbonate 14 wherein the composition is added to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about grams per litre of the water.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a composition when used for tincreasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the composition comprising sucrose, wherein the composition is added to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 20 grams per litre of the water.

00 IN In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides water for consumption by Slivestock, wherein the water is supplemented with a composition described above.

In some embodiments of the invention, the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 16 grams per litre, more preferably from about 6 grams per litre to about 14 grams per litre. In a more preferred embodiment, the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 12 grams per litre, more preferably from about 7 grams per litre to about 10 grams per litre. In the most preferred embodiment, the concentration of sucrose in the water is about 8 grams per litre.

Typically, the livestock is a ruminant animal, more typically cattle or sheep.

The present inventors have found that including sucrose in an amount from about 6 to about 20 grams per litre in the livestock's drinking water increases or stimulates the consumption of water by the livestock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention has been developed primarily to increase or stimulate the consumption of water by cattle during yarding and transport. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use, e.g. the r, invention could be used to increase or stimulate the consumption of water by other dlivestock such as sheep, pigs, camels and goats, and to increase or stimulate the Sconsumption of water by livestock in other circumstances.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail.

00 In some embodiments, the method of the present invention further comprises adding to the water a preservative in an amount effective to inhibit the fermentation of the sucrose. Under warm, tropical conditions a sucrose solution will ferment rapidly. Suitable preservatives which could be used include sodium benzoate and propionic acid.

Preferably, the preservative is sodium benzoate. As used in this specification, including the claims, the term "inhibiting" in the context of inhibiting the fermentation of sucrose includes delaying and preventing the fermentation of sucrose.

In some embodiments,, the method of the present invention further comprises adding to the water one or more other additives suitable for consumption by the livestock.

Preferably, the one or more additives do not, at the amounts added to the livestock's drinking water, have the effect of clogging or blocking pipes or other equipment used to distribute the drinking water. The sucrose and the other additives may be added separately to the livestock's drinking water, or a composition comprising the sucrose and the other additives may be added to the water.

The additives may include electrolytes. Electrolytes are substances which when dissolved break into basic components (ions) which conduct electricity. The addition of electrolytes to the livestock's drinking water may lead to further increases in carcase muscle water content resulting in increased weight of the animal, increased carcase weight and improved meat colour. Suitable electrolytes which could be used include one or more salts selected from the group Consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and magnesium sulphate. Other salts commonly used as electrolytes may also be used.

Other suitable additives which may be used include therapeutic agents such as amino acids, antimicrobials, rumen modifiers flavomycin), and vitamins (e.g.

vitamins A, D and Suitable amino acids include, for example, alanine, lysine, phenylalanine, glutamate, tryptophane, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, valine and tcysteine.

Typically, the sucrose is added to the livestock's drinking water by adding a composition comprising sucrose and one or more other ingredients to the water. The 00 other ingredients may be selected from preservatives, electrolytes and therapeutic agents as discussed above.

Advantageously, the composition may be provided as a ready-to-use soluble powder comprising sucrose as its major component. The powder is typically a uniformly Smixed, white, crystalline, free-flowing blend which is free of lumps and caked material.

The powder may be added to the livestock's drinking water directly and then dissolved by using a plunger or paddle. Alternatively, the powder may be dissolved in a small amount of water prior to adding to the livestock's drinking water.

Alternatively, the composition may be in the form of a liquid concentrate which can be added to the drinking water. The liquid concentrate could be formulated in varying concentrations to take into account individual requirements, e.g. the volume of the drinking water to which the composition is to be added.

Typically, the composition is added directly to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so as to provide a concentration of sucrose in the drinking water of from about 6 grams per litre to about 20 grams per litre, and then mixed to facilitate uniformity in the resulting solution. A proportional dosing system may be used to add'sucrose to the livestock's drinking water in an amount from about 6 grams per litre to about 20 grams per litre as additional water is dispensed into the livestock's water source a trough).

The present invention is effective in stimulating and increasing water consumption by livestock (such as cattle).

The present inventors have surprisingly found that when sucrose is added to drinking water in an amount of from about 6 to about 20 grams per litre of drinking water, water consumption by livestock is stimulated or increased, and that the amount of from about 6 to about 20 grams per litre is surprisingly more effective in achieving this than concentrations of sucrose outside that range.

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For example, in the dose response trial undertaken by the present inventor (Trial 1 below), a sucrose level of 4 g/L increased water consumption by cattle by more than I L/head/day over control animals (from 20 L/head/day for control animals to 21.3 L/head/day). However, a dose of 8 g/L of sucrose in the drinking water increased consumption by over 8 L/head/day compared with control animals (from 20 L/head/day to 28.2 L/head/day). These represent increases of 6.5% and 41% over control animals for sucrose concentrations of 4 g/L and 8 g/L respectively. A sucrose concentration of 8 g/L thus resulted in an unexpectedly higher increase in water consumption compared with the increase in water consumption observed with a sucrose level of 4 g/L.

Advantageously, the increase in water consumption by cattle may lead to an increase in the consumption of food by the cattle. This is an important and desirable side effect of increasing water consumption. Anecdotal evidence suggests that animals that do not drink do not eat. Accordingly, the present invention advantageously may have beneficial effects on the general well-being of cattle under a range of commonly encountered situations.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the composition could be used as a flavouring agent to mask the taste/odour of drinking water that has been medicated with urea. Urea is sometimes added to drinking water as an alternative to providing urea in supplements such as blocks or in loose feed mixes. However, a prevalent problem in adding urea to drinking water is that, depending upon water quality, the urea can break down and produce ammonia. Cattle are reluctant to drink such water due to the unpleasant smell of the ammonia. The method of the invention can be used to increase the consumption of the water by the cattle despite,the presence of ammonia.

A preferred composition for use in the method of the invention comprises the following ingredients in the following amounts: Ingredient Quantity (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 810 to 860 Sodium benzoate 90 to 140 Electrolytes 0 to typically 40 to Typically, the electrolytes are provided by the salts sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate.

For example, a preferred composition comprises the following ingredients: Ingredient Quantity (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 839 Sodium benzoate 110 Electrolytes comprising: Sodium 13 Potassium Chloride 16 Bicarbonate 14 This composition may prepared by mixing dry powders of sucrose, sodium benzoate and the electrolytes to form a ready-to-use soluble powder. The ready-to-use soluble powder may be packed in 25 kg poly woven plastic bags. These bags are typically shrink-wrapped to exclude moisture from the air.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Examples and Trials.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 A composition was prepared by mixing the following components in the amounts indicated to form a composition in the form of a dry powder.

Component Content (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 839 Sodium Benzoate 110 Sodium Bicarbonate 20.3 Potassium Chloride 10.3 Sodium Chloride 20.4 The composition was added directly to the drinking water at the rate of 9.54 g per litre of water and was stirred.

TRIALS

Four trials were conducted as described below.

Compositions used in the trials In Trial 1, sucrose was added to the drinking water at 4, 8, 16 and 20 g/L together with the preservative, sodium benzoate, at approximately 1 g/L. The sucrose and preservative were added to the water as a mixture.

Trial 2 evaluated two dose rates of sucrose 8 and 16 g/L with and without a salt replacement mix. The salt replacement mix comprised the following components: Component Content g/kg Salt (NaCl) 322 Potassium Chloride (KC1) 161 Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 .323 Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO 4 .7H 2 0) 194 The salt replacement mix was added at the rate of 0.62 g/L of drinking water regardless of the level of sucrose added. Sodium benzoate was also added to the drinking water in an amount of 1 g/L. The dose rates were 9.62 and 17.62 g/L.

Trials 3 and 4 used the composition "LNT Water Flavour Mix". The LNT Water Flavour Mix comprised the following components: Component Content g/kg Sucrose 824.0 Sodium Benzoate 100.0 Sodium Chloride 20.5 Potassium Chloride 10.3 Sodium Bicarbonate 20.5 Magnesium Sulphate 24.6 The composition was added to the drinking water in an amount of 9.74 g/L water.

IO Trial 1 Dose response pen study Trial 1 investigated the efficacy of different levels of sucrose and several 00 commercial electrolyte replacement products as additives to drinking water for cattle \0 Sduring transportation.

C, Specifically, this trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of a range of levels of sucrose and three commercially available electrolyte replacement products. The electrolyte C, replacement products were Maxi-TransTM (manufactured by Maxi-Minerals), GlucotransTM (marketed by Pastoral and Feedlot Systems Australasia) and Beef Stress PackTM (manufactured by Roche Vitamins Australia). These electrolyte replacement products were offered to cattle under pen feeding conditions at the DPI Swans Lagoon Research Station at Millaroo near Townsville, North Queensland. The cattle were observed for performance and behaviour including acceptance, overall feed and water intake and live weight gain.

Maxi-TransTM comprises the following ingredients: Maxi-TransTM Glucose 900 g/kg Sodium Bicarbonate 40 g/kg Sodium Chloride 40 g/kg Potassium Chloride 20 g/kg GlucotransTM comprises the following ingredients: GlucotransTM Glucose 710 g/kg Sodium 82.2 g/kg Potassium 26.2 g/kg Sulphate 33.8 g/kg Chloride 106.7 g/kg Bicarbonate 29.0 g/kg c1 Beef Stress PackTM comprises the following ingredients: SBeef Stress PackTM 0 Epsom Salts (Mg SO 4 14.2 g/kg Salt (NaC1) 28.6 g/kg Potassium Bicarbonate 28.6 g/kg 0 0 Dextrose 928.6 g/kg (dextrose is a form of glucose)

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SA total of 84 Brahman crossbred steers were used as part of a 12 day pen study. The steers averaged 234 kg at the start and were aged 26 months.

SThe steers were held in groups of four in pens and fed ad libitum a basic ration of a proprietary live export ration (Fibremax T M Export Premium Pellets from Canefibre Products, Brandon). The pellet contained alkali treated sugar cane pulp, molasses, mill run, cottonseed meal, and minerals and vitamins.

Water was offered in a separate trough for each pen. The water used for all cattle was rainwater from a lagoon and offered free choice via open troughs.

A series of graded levels of sucrose or a range of the three commercial electrolyte replacement products were added to the drinking water on a daily or twice daily basis. The treatments were: nil additive (control), 4, 8, 16 or 20 g sucrose per litre of drinking water (together with the preservative, sodium benzoate, at approximately 1 g/L) or the electrolyte replacement products Maxi-TransTM GlucotransTM or Beef Stress PackTM Cattle were weighed full after mustering from pasture in the morning of the first day and held overnight on water (wet curfew). The cattle were randomly allocated to groups on full weight. Regular weighings using full weights were done at strategic intervals during the trial. At the conclusion, final weights were taken full.

Feed intake was calculated at least every second day from known amounts of pellets fed. Daily water intake was calculated from known amounts of water offered usually twice a day.

The cattle were transported by road for 340 km during day 5 of the trial. This consisted of a 2.5 hour trip, a 0.5 hour break and the return 2.5 hour trip. The roads were mainly highway standard bitumen with about 20 km of bumpy gravel track.

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Cattle remained healthy throughout the 12 day feeding period and there were no ill effects of the road transport. Cattle appeared tired and rested immediately after return to the station.

The data on feed and water intake and live weight change are show in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1. Feed intake and water consumption of steers fed on a live export pellet and a series of added sucrose or added electrolytes for 12 days in pens.

Water additive Water intake Pellet intake (L/day) (kg/day) Nil (control) 20 4.18 4 g/L sucrose 21.3 4.55 8 g/L sucrose. 28.2 4.72 16 g/L sucrose 30.9 4.29 g/L sucrose 35 3.72 1.67 g/L Maxi-TransTM 22 4.85 1.67 g/L GlucotransTM 19.5 3.82 7 g/L Beef Stress PackTM 21.1 4.55 There was a clear response to the addition of sucrose to the water in an amount of 8 g/L, 16 g/L and 20 g/L with an increase in water consumption of up to 75% compared with the control. There was only a small increase in water consumption when the electrolytes were added. Maxi-TransTM increased intake by 10% compared with the control. There was no significant effect of treatment on feed intake.

Table 2. Live weight change of steers fed in pens for 12 days.

Water additive Initial full Final full Live weight live weight (kg) live weight (kg) change (kg) Nil (control) 243 239 -4.3 4 g/L sucrose 245 244 -0.8 8 g/L sucrose 243 246 3 16 g/L sucrose 243 246 3 g/L sucrose 245 243 -1.4 1.67 g/L Maxi-TransTM 246 248 1.67 g/L GlucotransTM 246 244 -2 7 g/L Beef Stress PackTM 246 247 1 T The addition of sucrose to the drinking water increased water consumption by the Scattle by up to 75%. An increase of up to 7kg in final live weight compared with the control was also observed.

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The addition oftheelectrolyte replacement products Maxi-TransTM, Glucotrans

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M or Beef Stress PackTM did not increase water consumption above the level of the control.

00 When the controls were compared with the commercial electrolyte replacement products, the controls were lighter by up to 6 kg in final live weight.

Accordingly, sucrose increased water intake by up to 75% and improved post Ssupplementation live weight when compared with the commercial electrolyte replacement products or water without any additive.

Trial 2 Dose confirmation pen study Trial 2 investigated the efficacy of different levels of sucrose (with and without a salt replacement mix) compared with a commercial electrolyte replacement product alone, as additives to drinking water for cattle during transportation. The electrolyte replacement product was Maxi-TransTM.

Water containing these additives were offered to cattle under pen feeding conditions at the DPI Swans Lagoon Research Station at Millaroo near Townsville, North Queensland.

Cattle performance and behaviour were observed, including acceptance, overall feed and water intake and live weight gain.

A total of 72 Brahman crossbred steers were used as part of a seven day pen study.

The steers averaged252 kg at the start and were aged 28 months.

The steers were held in group of four in pens and fed ad libitum a basic ration of a proprietary live export ration (Fibremax T M Export Premium Pellets from Canefibre Products, Brandon). The pellet contained alkali treated sugar cane pulp, molasses, mill run, .cottonseed meal, and minerals and vitamins.

Water was offered in a separate trough for each pen. The water used for all cattle was rainwater from a lagoon storage and offered free choice via open troughs.

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C1l Sucrose (together with the preservative sodium benzoate) with and without the salt Sreplacement mix, or the.commercial electrolyte replacement product alone, were added to Sthe drinking water. The treatments were: nil additive (control), 8 or 16 g sucrose per litre of

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water with and without a salt replacement mix ("Plus") and lastly the commercial electrolyte replacement product Maxi-TransTM The treatments were as follows: 00 IsO Nil Nil (control) 8 8 g/L sucrose 8 Plus 8 g/L sucrose plus salt replacement mix 16 16 g/L sucrose 16 Plus 16 g/L sucrose plus salt replacement mix Maxi-TransTM 1.67 g/L Maxi-TransTM Cattle were weighed full after mustering from pasture in the morning of the first day and held overnight on water (wet curfew) and weighed again in the morning of the second day. The cattle were randomly allocated to groups on full weight.

Feed intake was calculated at least every second day from known amounts of pellets fed. Daily water intake was calculated from known amounts of water offered usually twice a day.

The cattle were transported by road for 341 km during day 4 of the trial. This consisted of a 2.25 hour trip, a 0.5 hour break and the return 2.25 hour trip. The roads were mainly national highway standard bitumen with about 20 km of bumpy gravel track.

Cattle remained healthy throughout the seven day feeding period and there were no serious effects of the road transport phase. After transportation, the cattle appeared tired and rested immediately on arrival at the station.

The trial was conducted in April and repeated in June. The data on feed and water consumption for the two trials are show in Tables 3 and 4.

Table 3. Feed intake and water consumption of steers fed on a live export pellet and a series of added sucrose or added electrolytes for 7 days in pens.

Water additive Water intake (L/day) Pellet intake (kg/day) Nil (control) 16.3 4.70 8 20.5 4.71 8 Plus 19.5 4.59 16 25.8 4.50 16 Plus 26.2 4.55 Maxi-TransTM 16.6 4.58 There was a clear response to the addition of sucrose to the water with an increase in water consumption of between 26% and 58% compared with the controls. No increased in water consumption was observed by adding the salt replacement mix together with the sucrose. Addition of Maxi-TransTM did not increase water consumption when compared with the control. There was no effect'of treatment on feed intake.

Table 4. Comparison of water consumption of steers fed on a live export pellet and a water flavour or an electrolyte from two Trials.

Water additive Water Intake Water Intake Percentage Percentage (L/day) (L/day) difference difference compared with compared with (previous trial) Nil Nil (present trial) (previous trial) Nil (control) 16.3 20.0 8 20.5 28.2 25.8 41 8 plus 19.5 19.6 16 25.8 30.9 58.2 54.5 16 plus 26.2 60.7 Maxi-TransTM 16.6 22.00 1.8 The control group in the current trial consumed 18.5% less water than the same group in the previous trial due to the cooler weather. In both studies the increase in water intake due to inclusion of Maxi-TransTM was less than 10%. This confirms that sucrose addition at 0.8% or 1.6% stimulates water intake at temperatures experienced in late summer and winter in the tropics.

1o c Sucrose addition at 8 g/L and 16 g/L increased water intake by between 26% and S58% respectively. The addition ofMaxi-TransTM did not increase water consumption above the level of the controls.

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Trial 3- Live export depot trial 00 Trial 3 was conducted to evaluate the water consumption, live weight change and

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feed intake of cattle held in a live export depot. Cattle were provided with drinking water containing commercial electrolytes or a preferred composition of the invention, and compared with cattle provided with untreated water.

C, The trial was carried out on live export cattle in a commercial depot in the Northern Territory. The trial assessed the effects on water intake, live weight change and feed intake when the cattle were provided with drinking water containing a commercial Selectrolyte or a preferred composition of the invention (the "LNT Water Flavour Mix") or untreated water.

Fifty head of Brahman steers were placed in six undercover pens with two pens per treatment. The two pens shared the one water trough and were considered as one treatment group. The three treatments were: LNT Water Flavour Mix (821 g/kg sucrose); Maxi-Trans T M (900 g/kg glucose); and Control .(untreated water).

The dose rate of the two water treatments were 9.74 g/L and 1.67 g/L respectively. The Control Group received normal untreated water to drink without flavouring or electrolyte additive). Water was provided ad libitum with troughs topped up manually. Water consumed was recorded and the necessary amount of LNT Water Flavour Mix or Maxi-Trans T M added during top-up. The cattle were individually weighed on entry to the depot and prior to leaving the depot for transport to Darwin Port. At the Port, the cattle were bulk weighed and an average weight of cattle in each treatment group obtained. Feed was offered ad libitum and the amount of feed offered recorded.

The cattle were held at the depot for 8 days.

c The LNT Water Flavour Mix stimulated water consumption by 119% over Scontrols with average consumption being 39 litres per head per day. The Control Group and the Maxi-TransTM Group had similar water intakes of 18 L/head/day. On exit from the depot the LNT Mix Group had a live weight advantage of 10 kg over the Maxi-TransTM Group and 7 kg over the Control Group. The curfewed weight change -using the average weight of cattle in each group on arrival at Darwin minus their weight S on arrival at the depot showed a 14 kg advantage to the LNT Mix Group over the Ni Maxi-TransTM Group and a 12 kg advantage over the Control Group. No differences in 0feed intake were observed between treatments.

Trial 4 Weaner cattle Trial 4 was conducted to evaluate the water consumption of weaner cattle held in yards following weaning. Weaner cattle were provided with water containing a preferred composition of the invention (the "LNT Water Flavour Mix") and compared with weaner cattle provided with untreated water.

The trial was carried out on a commercial property in north Queensland. The trial assessed the effects of the LNT Water Flavour Mix onwater intake and live weight of weaner cattle held in yards following weaning.

Eighty head of mixed sexed weaner cattle were divided equally into two groups and placed into two separate yards each with its own water trough. One group was offered water supplemented with LNT Water Flavour Mix at the rate of 9.72 g/L, the other group received untreated water. The LNT Water Flavour Mix was administered to the water trough by using a proportional dosing system which added the LNT Water Flavour Mix to water as the water entered the trough. The cattle were held in the yards for 8 days with water consumption monitored and recorded over a six day period.

The addition of the LNT Water Flavour Mix to the drinking water stimulated water consumption by 23% over controls with average consumption being 18 L/head/day.

The control group had an average water consumption of 14 L/head/day. No differences were observed in live weight between the two groups. It was concluded from this that the LNT Water Flavour Mix would be useful in situations where it is perceived that stimulating water consumption is desirable for travelling/yarded cattle. Further, the use of c, proportional dosing systems was shown to be a practical method of delivering the water flavour to cattle drinking water provided adequate water flows are maintained.

IN Applications of the present invention The present invention has application to, but is not limited by, the following areas: 00 IND 0 Adult stock being held in yards as part of the weaning process.

0 Weaners held in yards as part of an acclimatisation/training phase.

Animals held in yards prior to transport.

Animals held in sale yards awaiting sale.

Weaners prior to transport from the home property to growing outproperties.

Animals held in depots prior to live shipment overseas.

Stock held in yards/pens prior to slaughter.

Cattle going from property of origin to feedlots and from feedlots to abattoirs.

As a method of attracting stock to drink water that has off flavours but is otherwise suitable for stock to drink ie some bore water can be heavily mineralized and less palatable to stock.

For animals on board ship during live export. Particularly useful for older animals that "sulk" and will not eat. Stimulating water consumption may improve feed intake and consequently help alleviate weight loss during the voyage.

The product has a similar role to play with a range of species of stock eg cattle, sheep and pigs.

Quality assured livestock trucking companies.

Wherever inadequate water consumption compromises animal welfare.

Wherever stock are likely to come across strange water.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular examples and trials, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. All such variations and/or modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present Sinvention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many forms. The specific embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as 00 IC illustrative and not restrictive.

A reference herein to a prior art document is not an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. A method for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the 00 Smethod comprising adding sucrose to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 00 IND 16 grams per litre of the water.

S2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 14 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 12 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 7 grams per litre to about 10 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

A method according to claim 4, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is about 8 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method further comprises adding to the water a preservative in an amount effective to inhibit the fermentation of the sucrose.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the preservative is sodium benzoate.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method further comprises adding to the water at least one salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and magnesium sulphate. IND 21

9. A composition when used for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the composition comprising sucrose, wherein the composition is added to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the 00 N, water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 20 grams per litre of the water. 00

10. A composition according to claim 9, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 16 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

11. A composition according to claim 10, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 14 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

12. A composition according to claim 1 1, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 12 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

13. A composition according to claim 12, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 7 grams per litre to about 10 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

14. A composition according to claim 13, wherein the concentration of sucrose in the water is about 8 grams per litre of the water to be consumed.

A composition according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising a preservative in an amount effective to inhibit the fermentation of the sucrose.

16. A composition according to claim 15, wherein the preservative is sodium benzoate.

17. A composition according to any one of claims 9 to 16, further comprising at least one salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate and magnesium sulphate. 00 N oo

18. A method for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the method comprising adding to the livestock's drinking water a composition comprising sucrose, sodium benzoate and electrolytes in the following amounts: Ingredient Quantity (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 810 to 860 Sodium benzoate 90 to 140 Electrolytes 0 to wherein the composition is added to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about 16 grams per litre of the water.

19. A method for increasing or stimulating the consumption of water by livestock, the method comprising adding to the livestock's drinking water a composition comprising sucrose, sodium benzoate and electrolytes in the following amounts: Ingredient Quantity (g/kg of the composition) Sucrose 839 Sodium benzoate 110 Electrolytes comprising Sodium 13 Potassium Chloride 16 Bicarbonate 14 wherein the composition is added to the livestock's drinking water in an amount so that the concentration of sucrose in the water is from about 6 grams per litre to about grams per litre of the water.

Water for consumption by livestock, wherein the water is supplemented with a composition according to any one of claims 9 to 17. 23 0

21. A method according to any one of claims 1, 18 and 19 substantially as herein described with reference to the Examples or Trials.

22. A composition according to claim 9 substantially as herein described with reference 00 \1 to the Examples or Trials. t- (N,