NL2010685C2 - Animal feed material and use of the feed material. - Google Patents

Description

ANIMAL FEED MATERIAL AND USE OF THE FEED MATERIAL

This invention relates to feed material for calves and other mammal youngsters, and more in particular to the use of this feed material for reducing mortality in the very initial phase of the life, and/or enhancing meat production at the end of the fattening phase.

Calves from cattle generally are divided in males, which will be used for meat production, and females, for milk production. A percentage of the calves appears not very healthy, and they either do not grow sufficiently, or die. For male calves, the mortality is about 3%, sometimes up to 9%, combined with another 3-6% calves that do not grow well. Normally, healthy calves will grow from about 45 to about 240 kg in 26-27 weeks, and ultimately, the calves will bear about 155 kg of meat. The calves that do not grow well will generally end up with only 100 kg meat maximum. Female calves are raised for milk production; about 10% of the calves die early, despite treatment with antibiotics and other medical treatments.

It is an object of the invention to provide a feed material that allows reduced mortality for young mammals such as calves. Further, the invention provides a feed material for use in a method that allows an improvement in meat production. Yet a further object of the invention is the improvement in health and growth of calves.

The first object of the invention is achieved with providing the calves with a feed or feed material comprising Agaricus Blazei, wherein the Agaricus species is fermented on grain, the fermented grain is dried and pulverized, and the pulverized fermented grain is used in the form of a paste or thick liquid in a syringe as feed material.

The second object of the invention is achieved with providing the calves for meat production with a feed or feed material comprising Agaricus Blazei, wherein the Agaricus species is fermented on grain, the fermented grain is dried, and optionally pulverized, and the optionally pulverized fermented grain is used as feed material during the last 6 weeks of fattening.

The present invention more generally relates to a feed material comprising grain and Agaricus Blazei, comprising the Agaricus species in an amount between 10 to 50% by weight on dry matter, and the feed material having a moisture content of less than 10% (relative to dry matter), for administration to calves for improvement in health, growth and reduced mortality. The invention also relates to the use of feed material, and a method to raise calves while using the feed material in accordance with the present invention.

The use according the present invention can be therapeutic, or non-therapeutic. Hence, with respect to the therapeutic use (which comprises prophylactic use), the invention more in particular relates to feed material comprising grain and Agaricus Blazei, the grain comprising the Agaricus species in an amount between 10 to 50% by weight on dry matter, wherein the feed material has a moisture content of less than 10% (relative to dry matter), for administration to calves for improvement of health, growth and reduction in mortality. With respect to the non-therapeutic use, the present invention relates to the non-therapeutic use of a feed material comprising grain and Agaricus Blazei, the grain comprising the Agaricus species in an amount between 10 to 50% by weight on dry matter, and the feed material having a moisture content of less than 10% (relative to dry matter), for improving health, growth and reduction in mortality.

The use of fermented grain with six types of mushroom varieties is known from W02008/097482, which fermented grain is used to improve the health and growth of calves. Because of the complexity of the mix of mushroom varieties, this fermentation is complex, and therefore the treatment is relatively expensive.

The present invention allows for a much simplified feed additive, wherein the use of a single microorganism simplifies greatly the fermentation. Yet it is unexpected that very good results are obtained. Thus, the feed material preferably comprises an Agaricus Blazei species as sole microorganism. The sole microorganism means, that less than 5 wt% of the microorganisms in the fermented grain is from other microorganism than the Agaricus Blazei species. Preferably, no other microorganism is detectable in the fermented grain.

Fermentation of Agaricus Blazei species on grain is known as such, also for feed applications in general, like for example described in CN101371683. However, the improvements found in the present invention are neither described, nor suggested therein.

Fermented grain

The mushroom species according to the invention is an Agaricus Blazei, preferably Agaricus Blazei Murill (also called A. Blazei Brasiliensis, or Agaricus subrufescens, or Agaricus rufoteguiis). At present, it is though that Agaricus subrufescens is the correct name; however, in this application, the more common Agaricus Blazei Murill will be used. Herein below, the abbreviation ABM for Agaricus Blazei murill is used interchangeably. The preferred Agaricus species is Agaricus Blazei Murill.

The Agaricus Blazei fungus is grown as mycelium on a grain source, and harvested as such. Hence, it is not necessary to execute mycelium growth till fruit bodies emerge, nor is it necessary to separate the growth medium from the mycelium. Thereby, the present invention allows for an economically effective way of providing useful feed for calves resulting in increased health, growth and meat production.

As the grain source, several commonly known grain types are useful, such as for example corn, wheat bran, oat, sorghum, barley, whole wheat, rye, soy beans, maize and the like. Mixtures can be used as well. Further, addition of carbon source, ammonia source or the like can be useful to increase growth of the mycelium. Calcium compounds like chalk may be added. Rye or oat are particularly preferred grain, because ABM grows particularly well on these substrates.

In order to obtain a suitable fermented ABM, it is preferred that the grain source comprises a sufficiently high moisture content. A suitable moisture content is between about 10-80% moisture (measured as weight of the moist product minus a dried product, divided by the moist product weight). A preferred moisture content is between about 30 and 70%, like for example about 50 %.

The grain source is sterilized before inoculation with the ABM mycelium. Inoculation, and the preparation of the inoculate follows standard techniques like for example described in US4204364.

The fermentation generally takes place in containers of 20 to 50 liter size, like in bags or trays, like for example 25 or 30 liter bags. Fermentation preferably takes place in a conditioned environment. Generally, the time for fermentation will be between 15 and 75 days, preferably between 20 and 60 days. Too short will cause relatively low mycelium content; a too long period is economically less interesting. The temperature during fermentation preferably is between 20 and 35 °C, and most preferred between 28 and 30 °C. The humidity preferably is between 40% and 90% RH, such as for example 50 or 60% RH.

After a suitable period of fermentation, the amount of mycelium is between about 10 and 50 % (on dry weight of the mixture of grain and mycelium), preferably between 20 and 30 %. The amount of mycelium - e.g. relative to the amount of initial amount of grain - can be measured indirectly, for example based on the chitin content, as will be further elucidated below. Any suitable method for determining the mycelium content can be used.

After the fermentation, the fermented grain is dried. The moisture content of the dried fermented grain preferably is about 10% or less, preferably about 8% or less and more preferably about 6% or less. A lower moisture content aids in achieving a good storage stability. Generally, the moisture content will be about 2% or more, and preferably about 3% or more. As such, a feed with very low moisture content has no disadvantages from technical perspective, but it is more costly to produce.

Any drying technique may be suitable. A suitable apparatus includes a belt dryer, bulb dryer, tumble dryer or fluid bed dryer. Preferably, the apparatus is such that it is able to perform the drying at reduced pressure. In general, it is preferred that the temperature remains below 65 °C. Preferably, the fermented grain is dried by air drying at between 5 and 65 °C, preferably between 25 and 65 °C, more preferably below 63 °C, and even more preferably below 60 °C. Drying at a temperature below about 60 °C has the advantage that extra-cellular enzymes, like cellulases largely keep their activity. In case the enzymes that are of interest have been modified to be resistant to higher temperatures, a higher temperature for drying is preferred because drying speed is increased. If a temperature is chosen below 60 °C, 45 °C, or in particular at about 35 °C or lower, it is preferred to apply reduced pressure. The low temperature applied during the drying step has the further advantage that heat sensitive compounds produced during fermentation remain in an active form in the feed. At higher temperatures (e.g. around 60 °C) a relatively short time period can be used to achieve sufficient drying. Thereby, the damage to enzymatic activity is also reduced. A man skilled in the art will be able to optimize temperature and time parameters and an optimal drying apparatus to achieve relatively little damage to enzymatic activity. Alternative techniques using higher temperatures are also possible, as long as the enzyme activity does not substantially deteriorates.

The dried fermented grain can be storage stable up to at least one year, (e.g. for two years) with little reduction of the nutritive value of the feed material.

The feed material generally will contain between 10 and 50 wt% of mycelium (based on dry weight, relative to the initial amount of grain), preferably between 20 and 30 wt%.

The amount of mycelium can be measured based on the content of chitin, but also for example based on the amount of ergosterol. The determination while using chitin is preferred, as that is a stable compound (while ergosterol is UV sensitive). When done correctly, both methods should give approximately the same results.

The method used for the determination of conversion via the assessment of amount of chitin is described in Nature protocols (2007) 1:2995-3000. In short, chitin is first liberated from the cell walls, and while using chitinase, chitin is hydrolyzed and N-acetylglucosamine is formed, which can be determined quantitatively with tetraborate and Reissig reagent. The amount found in the fermented grain should be compared with a calibration line made from pure mycelium.

The fermentation will cause a number of useful compounds to be present in the fermented grains. The Agaricus Blazei species produces for example, ergosterol, extra-cellular enzymes like cellulases and amylases, and 1,3- and Ι,δ-β-glucans.

Ergosterol is a sterol from which vitamin D is produced. Hence, the ergosterol - while vitamin D being important for the calcium resorption form the gut - is thought to be instrumental in improvement of the bone strength.

The amount of ergosterol in the feed material generally will be between 0.05 and 0.5 g ergosterol/kg feed material. Ergosterol can be measured with standard techniques, like HPLC or GC. Preferably, quantitative extraction is performed on pulverized dry fermented grain, which can be done with hot 80% ethanol.

The extra-cellular enzymes, that remain active with the current preferred drying process, may aid in an improved feed conversion. The feed material according the present invention preferably comprises active extra-cellular cellulases. The presence of extra-cellular cellulases can be determined according to the methods described in Mycobiology 39(2) : 103-108 (2011).

In a preferred embodiment, the cellulase activity is between 0.1 and 0.8 unit/ml when 10 gram of material is extracted with 20 ml of water. In this extraction, 10 gr of dry feed material is soaked with 20 ml of water at 20 °C for two hours, and thereafter the water is squeezed out of the mixture in a press, and the enzymatic activity in the extracted water measured.

The 1,3- and Ι,δ-β-glucans are known to improve the immune system. The glucans are water soluble. The amount of these glucans generally will be between 10 to 100 gram, preferably 15 to 60 gram and most preferable 20 to 40 gram per kg of the feed material (i.e. the fermented grain).

1,3- and Ι,δ-β-glucans can be measured with standard kits. However, it appeared that measurement in the fermented grain resulted in unreliable results. Hence, the amount of 1,3- and Ι,δ-β-glucans in the fermented grains preferably is determined indirectly, by determining these compounds in pure fermented ABM, and calculating from the % conversion (measured via the amount of chitin) the amount of 1,3- and Ι,δ-β-glucans.

Some analysis in the fermented grain is complicated because of the components of the grain. It can be useful to determine the production of useful components in pure mycelium. This can be done by growing the mycelia in a fermenter under non-limiting conditions, removing the medium, and measuring the components of the mycelium. Obviously, only intracellular components are measured in this way. The ABM used by the present inventors produced about 10.7 g/kg GIcNac release, as measure for chitin, 0.65 g/kg mycelium of ergosterol, about 120 g/kg mycelium of 1,3-β-glucans and Ι,δ-β-glucans.

The solid feed (grains, mixed with the feed material of the present invention) for calves may comprise e.g. between 1-15% by weight of the fermented grain, i.e. the feed material of the present invention.

It is preferred to use such an amount of feed material according the invention, that the mixed feed comprises between 1 and 50 milligram ergosterol per kg feed, preferably in an amount of 5-30 milligram ergosterol per kg feed.

The amount of 1,3- and Ι,δ-β-glucans in the total feed for calves will be between 100 mg/kg feed to 15 g/kg feed, preferably between 150 mg/kg feed to 10 g/kg feed.

Paste for young mammals

In one embodiment, the present invention is concerned with a product that is suitable for administration to calves or other young mammals.

It appeared that feeding very young calves with solid feed is regularly not effective. Also, other calves did not eat solid feed with the fermented grain of the present invention sufficiently well to be a reliable way of administration.

The present inventors designed a way to efficiently administer the fermented grain material to young mammals, preferably calves.

Thus, the present invention is related to a paste or thick liquid comprising fermented grain, having a size of about 1 mm or smaller, further comprising a liquid carrier suitable for feed applications. Preferably, the amount of fermented grain is about 30-90 wt%, more preferably about 50-85 wt%. The amount of liquid carrier preferably is about 10-70 wt%, more preferably about 15-50 wt%.

Preferably, the fermented grain is milled or crushed to a desired particle size. Preferably, the fermented grain is treated to obtain a flour like size.

Preferably, more than 50 wt% is smaller than 0.5 mm, more preferably, more than 50 wt% is smaller than 0.2 mm. Generally, more than 2 wt% will be larger than 0.2 mm.

The liquid carrier may be any liquid suitable for feed applications, and can be an organic liquid or water based.

In one preferred embodiment, the liquid is an organic liquid, as that allows a storage stable paste. The organic liquid can e.g. be triglyceride oil (vegetable or animal fat or oil, including fish oil), ethyl-esters of fatty acids, fatty alcohols, sorbitol solution, glycerol, propylene glycol and the like. Preferably, an oil like vegetable oil or fish oil is used. Suitable oils include partially hydrogenated soy bean oil or sun flower oil. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the oil solidifies at a temperature between 4 and 20 °C. Thereby, the paste is solid at 4 °C, and is liquid at about 20 °C, which makes the preparation easier to keep in storage stable by simply cooling in the fridge.

In another preferred embodiment, the liquid is water based. A mixture of the fermented, pulverized grain and water can for example be made "on site", and given straight away, or within a few days, depending on the storage stability; i.e. with storage in e.g. a cold place, the storage stability may be longer.

The paste preferably is delivered to the calves via a syringe. E.g. syringes as used for silicones are very suitable to deliver a suitable amount of paste at the back-side of the mouth of the calves, such that the calves need to swallow the paste. After a few days, the calves will eat normal feed optionally with added feed material, and it is no longer necessary to use the paste. This administration method is not only useful for very young calves that appear to have difficulties in eating solid feed, but also with older calves, in particular calves that are behind in growth. It appeared that the administration of the paste makes certain that the calves get the whole necessary amount, while creating appetite for ABM containing solid feed.

The amount administered feed material to an animal is about 20 to about 500 mg pure mycelium per kg body weight per day, preferably 30-300 mg/kg/day. As the grain generally is about 25% fermented, the amount of flour (i.e. milled fermented grain) is about 100 to 2000 mg/kg body weight per day.

As an example, young calves are about 45-50 kg, hence, the amount of flour per calve may be about 5 to 70 gram per day. When the paste is for example a 70/30 wt% mixture of flour and liquid carrier material, a calve should preferably get between about 50-100 ml of paste. For example, the amount is about 75 ml of paste.

The paste is very suitable for young animals, such as calves, but also for piglets, lamb and the like. Equally, the feed additive can be used for dog puppies and other home animals.

In one embodiment of the invention, the paste preferably is used when the calves are near to change from liquid feed (milk) to solid feed, and/or the first days when they are gathered in calve rearing farms.

In another embodiment, the treatment is used when the calves are behind in growth, like for example about 10% or more behind, preferable about 15% or more behind the average growth curve of such animals. For example, the calves, or other animals can be behind in growth of about 20 % in comparison to an average growth curve. For calves that should weigh about 50 kg (which is the average weight after one week), the calves of about 40-43 kg would be well treated with the paste according to the invention. Also, e.g. after rearing for 10 weeks, the weight should be about 102 kg. Calves that weight less than 90 kg, like for example 80 to 85 kg are very well treated with the paste according the present invention.

The calves are preferably treated with the paste for two, three or four days. Thereafter, they generally can be converted to common solid feed, preferably with added ABM.

Preferably, the feed comprises the feed material according to the present invention for two to ten days. It is of course possible to treat the calves during the whole of their fattening period with an amount of feed material according the present invention. This optimizes health, growth and meat production.

Calves that have been treated with the paste during the first 2-4 days in a rearing farm show substantially less mortality, and a substantially increased meat production. Calves that show retarded growth can be treated to have a substantially increased meat production, also later during the growth period.

The mortality and health of milk calves is also substantially improved by administering the paste of the present invention at the initial phase (the first or second week), or when they show retarded growth during the growth period.

Feed for older and healthy mammals

For administering to older and/or healthy calves, the fermented, dried and optionally milled fermented grain (the feed material) can be used as such as feed, as a separate feed source, or it can be mixed with other common feedstock for calves. Preferably, the feed material is mixed with the general feedstock, as that allows better standardization and/or reproducibility.

For improving mixing characteristics with common feedstock, and to allow reproducible administration to the calves, it is preferred to crush or mill the fermented dried grain to a particle size (d50) between 0.01 and 10 mm, preferably lower than 5 mm, and even more preferably between 0.1 and 3 mm. The particle size range preferably is between 0.1 and 2.0 mm for about 90% or more of the feed material, preferably of about 95% or more of the feed material, and more preferably of about 98% or more of the feed material. In case somewhat larger particles are preferred, it is also possible to pelletize the milled or crushed fermented grain, e.g. to obtain pellets of a size between 2 and 5 mm.

In one embodiment, the grain size preferably is smaller than 10 mm, more preferably smaller than 5 mm, and even more preferably smaller than 3 mm, as grains of such size can easily mixed with common feedstock.

The feed material produced in this way is very suitable as feed material for calves. Because of the preferred low temperature during drying, extracellular enzymes like cellulases and amylases remain active. Intake by the calves of such active enzymes aid in feed conversion, and an unexpected increase in meat production when the feed additive is used in the last weeks of the fattening period.

In this embodiment, the calves may not have had the feed additive according the present invention, or only in the initial period during a few days, before the last 6 weeks of fattening.

The amount of mycelium (as pure dry matter) given to the calves per day, generally will be between 10-200 mg/kg/day, preferably 30-100 mg/kg/day like for example about 40, about 50, or about 70 milligram/kg bodyweight/day. Hence, young calves with a weight of about 50 kg preferably will get about 1-10 g/day, whereas calves with a weight of say 200 kg, at the end of the fattening period, will preferably get about 4-40 g based on mycelium.

The fermented grain is generally fermented till about 25% conversion, which means that 20 gram of fermented grain comprises about 5 gram mycelium.

The feed material can be used in the normal feedstock in an amount of about 1-15 wt% relative to the feed feed, preferably between 2 and 10 wt%. The amount of feed material, to be added to the normal feedstock can be adjusted after assessing the amount of mycelium.

In view of the small amounts, the feed material according the present invention preferably is mixed with other feed components. Common feedstock for calves are grains, soybean meal, sesame meal, fish meal, cottonseed meal and the like.

A calve consumes initially about 70 gram or more solid feed per day, and after a few weeks about 100 up to 125 gram of feed per day. From around week 20 onwards, the amount of feed is about one kg/day

The inventors discovered that the meat production of calves can be greatly increased, if the feed material of the present invention is used during the last 6 weeks of the fattening period. This is surprising, because health issues are relatively limited during that period. The inventors have the theory, without being limited thereto, that the enzymes in the fermented grain, like cellulases, aid in feed conversion, and thereby increase meat production. Preferably, the feed material is used on a daily basis, but this is not necessary. The feed material can e.g. be used during four of the last six weeks; or the feed material can be given every other day.

The amount of feed material according to the present invention, used during the last 6 weeks of fattening, is for example 30 gram per calve per day, or 50 gram, or 70 gram per calve per day.

More generally, the calves improve in health and growth, in case the feed material is administered during the whole of the growth phase. It is not necessary to use the feed material of the present invention every day. Intermittent administration, like for example every other day, once every three days, or once a week may be suitable as well. It is thought that every day, or every other day is most effective.

The present invention will be elucidated with the following examples, without being limited thereto.

Examples.

Feed material

Feed material was produced as follows. Bags of 15 L with 3 kg wet Rye (50% moisture) were inoculated with about 80 mg ABM mycelium and cultivated for a number weeks at 28 °C at 50% humidity. The product was dried (to a moisture content of less than 5%) with a vacuum rotary vapor drum at 35 °C at 20mmHg pressure. The dried material was coarsely milled at d50 1000 micron (1 mm). In an alternative drying step, a fluid bed dryer was used, at 60 °C, wherein the drying took about 4 hours.

The bioconversion was indirectly measured via the chitin amount as described in Nature protocols 1, 2995-3000, 2007. The grain used does not comprise chitin, so all chitin measured originates from the mycelium. The conversion can be calculated via the amount of formed GIcNac, and its absorbance at 585 nm. Per mg of dry fungal mass, the amount of GIcNac is 1.06 % (standard deviation, 0.2%). Hence, the OD measured for an amount of GIcNac obtained from 10 mg of pure dry mycelium is 0.93. Hence, for a measured OD (ODm), dividing the ODm by 0.093, gives the amount of mycelium. This amount, multiplied by 100, and divided by the initial amount of mycelium for a gives sample gives the percentage bioconversion.

The amount of ergosterol can be calculated via the bioconversion as the amount of ergosterol in 100% ABM for this strain can be taken as 0.65 g/kg. Alternatively, the amount of ergosterol can be assessed by the following protocol: the samples were lyophilized for 48 hours before extraction. Ergosterol was extracted in the dark from 100 mg of biological material (mushroom or vegetable matrix) in 15 ml of KOH / MeOH (1:10, w / v) for 1 h at 80 ° C and then rapidly cooled in ice. 30 pg of internal standard (cholesterol: 1 mg / I in hexane) are added prior extraction. After adding 2 ml of water, an extraction is performed twice with 4 ml. of hexane. The organic layers were collected and evaporated under nitrogen flow. Ergosterol was then analyzed by gas chromatography (FID detector, column DB-5).

The amount of glucans in the feed material can best be calculated based on the conversion, as e.g. determined via the chitin content. The amount of glucans for this strain is 120 g/kg mycelium. This amount of glucans was measured in submerged fermented ABM, and measured in accordance with AACC method 32-23 (McClearly method), as for example described by Megazyme (Wicklow, Ireland).

The ergosterol and glucan content of the feed material as determined with the calculation method based on bioconversion is reported in Table 1; amounts are values of the feed material (the fermented and dried grain).

TABLE 1

Trial with young calves

The mortality of young calves is between 3 and 10%, depending on the history. In particular mortality is relatively high in farms that specialize in rearing of calves. Although the use of feed material in the feed stock was helpful to reduce the mortality, a substantial number of calves still died.

A paste was prepared from fermented grain, which was milled to a size of more than 50% smaller than 0.5 mm. The flour was mixed with partially hydrogenated soy bean oil in a 70/30 wt% ratio of flour/oil. The paste was a thick liquid; and still fluid at room temperature. The paste was solid when cooled to about 4 °C which increased the storage stability. The paste was introduced in a syringe of 500 ml with a 10 cm long plastic nozzle. All calves that looked relatively weak were given the first three days 75 ml (about 50 gram) per day. The mortality was reduced with more than 50%, and the medication, which was given as required, was reduced with 30%. This improvement was observed in both calves for milk, as with calves for meat production. Furthermore, calves with far below average meat production were virtually absent; the weaker calves were now instead of about 50% behind in meat production at the end of the fattening period, only 10-20% behind.

Trial with fattening meat calves

The trial consisted of 710 calves, which group was split in 350 and 360 claves respectively. On week 20, the group of 360 calves were fed about 45 g/day of feed material, mixed with the normal feed. The standard feed consisted of standard feed for fattening calves. The group that was fed with the additional feed material gained on average 6 kg of meat more than the control groups.

General trial with calves 720 calves were split into two groups; one group of 400 received standard treatment, the other group of 320 calves received solid feed with added fermented grain material of the present invention. 10 calves did not eat the solid feed with feed additive initially, and were given the paste according the present invention for 2-4 days, depending on when the calves started to eat solid feed. The mortality and meat gain was measured, and the results are as follows:

Mortality was in the comparative group 31; in the treated group 13;

Wait gain was on average 8 kg more in the treated group;

Medication was on average 1.8 treatment per calve in the comparative group, and 1.3 in the treated group.

Claims (15)

A food material comprising grain and Agaricus Blazei, wherein the grain comprises the Agaricus species in an amount between 10 and 50% by weight on a dry matter basis, wherein the food material has a moisture content of less than 10% (on a dry matter basis) , for administration to calves for improving health, growth and reducing mortality. 2. Non-therapeutic use of a food material comprising grain and Agaricus Blazei, wherein the grain comprises Agaricus species in an amount between 10 and 50% by weight based on dry matter, and the food material has a moisture content of less than 10% ( based on dry matter), for improving health, growth and reducing mortality. Food material for use, or use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the food material comprises active cellulases, preferably with an activity between 0.1 and 0.8 unit / ml in an extract obtained when 10 g of food material is extracted with 20 ml of water. Food material for use, or use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the food material contains 1,3- and 1,6-β-glucans in an amount between 10 and 100 grams, preferably 15 to 60 grams per kg of the food material. Food material for use, or use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the Agaricus species is Agaricus Blazei Murill. Food material for use, or use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the grain is rye or oats. Food material for use, or use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the food material has a moisture content between 2 and 8% by weight. The food material for use, or use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the food material has a particle size (d50) between 0.01 and 3 mm. A food material for use, or use of a food material according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the improvement is related to an increase in body weight. A food material for use, or use according to claim 9, for improving meat production in calves, wherein the food material is intended for administration to calves in the last 6 weeks of the fattening period. The food material for use, or use of a food material according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the improvement relates to a reduction in mortality, wherein the food material is in the form of a paste or thick liquid. Food material comprising a. Flour of ground grain with Agaricus Blazei according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the flour has a particle size of less than 1 mm, b. and a liquid suitable as a carrier suitable for administration to young mammals, c. wherein the food material is in the form of a paste or thick liquid. A pasta-like food material according to claim 12, wherein the pasta is preferably 30-90% by weight, preferably 50-85% by weight of said flour, and 70-10% by weight, preferably 50-15% by weight of said liquid. A pasta-like food material according to any of claims 12-13, wherein the liquid is a vegetable oil, which preferably has a softening point between 5 and 20 ° C. A pasta-like food material according to any of claims 12-13, wherein the liquid is water.