NL2027883B1

NL2027883B1 - A feed pellet for ruminants.

Info

Publication number: NL2027883B1
Application number: NL2027883A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Eduard Weurding Roelof; Johannes Antonius Van Hees Josephus
Original assignee: Agrifirm Group B V
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2021-03-31
Publication date: 2022-10-17
Also published as: BE1029207A1; BE1029207B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feed pellet for ruminants comprising one or more of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibers, the feed pellet having a bulk density of maximally 550 g/l, characterized in that the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65 % after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method of the description. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing feed pellets comprising one or more of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibers, the feed pellet having a bulk density of maximally 550 g/l.

Description

Title: A feed pellet for ruminants. The present invention relates to a feed pellet for ruminants comprising one or more of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibres, the feed pellet having a bulk density of maximally 550 g/l. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing such feed pellets. The present invention also relates to a method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising the step of administering to the ruminant a feed pellet. Modern dairy production with high yielding cows’ demands for high amounts of nutrients. To meet the nutritive demands, the feed industry is increasingly dependent on feed ingredients that provide optimal quantity and quality of nutrients. To do that, animals are fed compound feeds in increasing quantities. These feeds contain high amounts of protein and starch to provide sufficient levels of amino acids and energy. In Europe protein supply is highly dependent of imported feeds. With respect to starch, the self-sufficiency is better, but the starch qualities available challenge the rumen environment and gives limitations in the use of them. Moreover, the feed qualities often are costly and make the feed expensive. Thus, the feed industry urge for alternatives, either in form of new feed ingredients, or improved nutritive quality of existing ingredients.

In dairy production, as in all types of animal production, efficient utilisation of local feed resources is a key issue with respect to increase the food production without hampering the environment. In ruminants, efficient feed utilisation is a balance between digestion of nutrients in the rumen and the small intestine.

Ruminants (e.g. dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, moose, elks, bison, giraffes, yak, deer, antelopes, and others) can be distinguished from non- ruminant animals (e.g. monogastric animals having a single stomach chamber such as pigs, dogs, cats, horses and others) by the presence of a four-chambered stomach comprising the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. Ruminants acquire nutrients from plant-based food through fermentation in a specialized stomach chamber (rumen) prior to digestion, principally through microbial actions. The process typically requires regurgitation of fermented ingesta (known as cud), and chewing it again. The process of rechewing the cud to further break down plant matter and stimulate digestion is called 'rumination’. The fermentation of feed material mostly takes place in the rumen.

The rumen is populated by several phyla of microorganisms, which result in fermentation of feedstuffs.

Feed pellets for animals are well known in the art.

International application WO2005084455 in the name of the present applicant relates to a method of preparing feed pellets with a base of natural materials, wherein the starting materials are mixed and processed into feed pellets.

The feed pellet disclosed in this International application has a density of maximally 550 g/l wherein the swelling capacity at room temperature of the feed pellet is at least 35 ml after 10 minutes, based on an amount of 50 grams of feed pellets.

Other characteristics of that feed pellet are a water-binding capacity of the feed pellet of at least 200 % after 10 minutes, based on the weight of the feed pellet, a swelling capacity of the feed pellet of at least 25 ml after 5 minutes, based on an amount of 50 grams of feed pellets, a sedimentation value of the feed pellet after 30 minutes of maximally 25 ml, based on an amount of 50 grams of feed pellets.

The experimental test data from tests at experimental farms are all based on pigs.

International application WO2018197620 relates to a method for feeding a ruminant calf, comprising administering to said ruminant calf a solid feed combination, said combination comprising at least a first solid feed composition and a second solid feed composition, wherein the first solid feed composition is in the form of a pellet comprising between 20 and 90 wt.% of fat, and one or more fermentable feed ingredients selected from starch and fibres, and wherein the second solid feed composition comprises one or more fermentable feed ingredients, said second solid feed composition being in the form of a pellet, meal, muesli, or grain, or any mixture thereof, and wherein the total fat content of the solid feed combination is in the range of 5-20 wt.%. WO2018197820 only teaches in general wording that palatability, hardness of the feed (e.g. pellet), digestibility, nutritional value or ability to gain access to the feed composition are important factors to consider when choosing a feed composition for a given ruminant calf.

International application WO2018038254 relates to a feed pellet for ruminants containing a kraft pulp derived from a lignocellulosic material comprising a wood material, wherein the kraft pulp has a Canadian standard freeness of less than 400 ml, wherein the pellet has a mechanical durability of 97.5% by mass or more and a diameter of 3 to 10 mm.

International application WO2013082035 relates to a ruminant animal feed, comprising: ruminant animal feed ingredients combined with a binder composition and water to thereby form a raw feed mixture, the raw feed mixture so formed being processed into a processed feed pellet comprised of agglomerated particles; wherein the binder composition is comprised of a calcitic or dolomitic mineral hydrate, either alone or in combination with a companion composition selected from the group consisting of mineral carbonates, mineral oxides, and combinations thereof; and wherein the so processed agglomerated particles are effective to increase the proportion of dietary ingredients present in the feed that are resistant to degradation by ruminal microorganisms.

JPH1094384 relates to a pellet-like feed additive for a ruminant not being dissolved at the rumen but being eluted at the downstream organ from the abomasum, the pellet-like feed additive consisting essentially of a specific phosphoric acid amino acid metal complex salt, a binder and a lubricant into a pellet form having micro pores.

International application WO9511598 relates to a high nutrient pellet for inclusion in the feed ration of ruminant animals fed on high cereal grain diets, the pellet including: (i) a carrier material that serves as a concentrated source of protein and other essential nutrients, and (ii) an antibiotic that will inhibit lactic acid production in the rumens of the said animals.

US 4,533,557 relates to feed additives comprising tablets or granules of a mixture of biologically active ingredient(s), chitosan and protective materials that easily pass through the rumen and rapidly break down in the abomasum. The quantity of inorganic substance(s) is a quantity keeping the gravity of feed additives in a range of 0.8 to 2.0 g/cm®. The gravity of feed additives avoids the long retention time of feed additives in the rumen by floating on or sinking under the digestive juice of the rumen and to pass through the rumen rapidly. The feed additives are made into tablets or granules by tableting or granulating the melted slurry of the mixture of biologically active ingredient(s), chitosan, protecting materials, inorganic substance(s) and other additive(s) using a dropping tableting or granulating method, extruding tableting or granulating method.

EP 0 520 890 relates to additives in a form which is directly assimilable by animals, of medicinal or nutritional additives which are protected against degradation in the rumen of ruminants, such as amino acids and vitamins, combined with nutritional or medicinal compounds which are unprotected against degradation in the rumen. These pellets comprise an active ingredient which is unprotected against degradation in the rumen, a granular active ingredient which is protected against degradation in the rumen, but which is released in the abomasum and/or in the intestine, a soluble or meltable, and optionally cross linkable binder, and optionally, the pellets further comprise a disintegrating agent and/or a filler.

EP 2 103 224 relates to a feed pellet having a high energy value that can be well digested by the animals. The high-energy feed pellet has a density of at most 700 g/l, based on natural materials, wherein the total fat percentage of the feed pellet is more than 15 wt.%. The swelling capacity of the feed pellet is at least 40 ml after 30 minutes, based on 50 g of feed pellets, and the sedimentation value of the feed pellet after 30 minutes is at most 60 ml, based on 50 g of feed pellets.

An object of the present invention is to tailor-make concentrated feeds with respect to rumen and intestinal digestion of protein and starch for ruminants, especially dairy cows.

Another object of the present invention is to control pellet behaviour in the rumen by influencing rate of digestion, rate of passage and the pellet distribution across the rumen.

Another object of the present invention is to provide feed pellets that will be fed as a supplement to the total ration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide feed pellets to enhance the rumen microflora, improve the utilization of energy and protein in forage and concentrate (the feed ration), and in addition be beneficial for the environment and animal health.

Another object of the present invention is to improve energy- and protein efficiency in ruminants, especially dairy cows, by altering the digestion behaviour of pelleted feeds through targeted feed processing.

The present invention thus relates to a feed pellet for ruminants comprising one or more of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibres, the feed pellet having a bulk density of maximally 550 g/l, wherein the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65 % after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method of the description.

One or more of the above objects are accomplished by a feed pellet for ruminants according to the present invention. The present invention is thus focussed on processing methods with the objective to improve utilization of energy and protein and thus utilization of feed resources by ruminants. This has been done by manipulating passage- and degradation properties of feed pellets through targeted feed processing using extruder technology. The present inventors thus found that passage properties of feed pellets can be manipulated by using feed technology for 5 ruminants.

Without wishing to be bound by theory the present inventors speculate that high yielding dairy cows need nutrients that are digested in the rumen over time to ensure optimal utilization without digestive disturbances like acidosis. A slowly degradable floating or slow sinking pellet (with a low density) may provide an optimal balance between nutrient demand and nutrient release. Thus, manipulating degradation and passage properties of feed pellets by targeting their densities and sinking characteristics, could be an approach for increasing feed utilization in dairy cows. Floating or slow sinking pellets with a low specific density and a high water stability could have a much lower degradation rate compared to traditional fast sinking pellets with a high specific density and low water stability. The sinking characteristics could ensure that these pellets stay in the rumen long enough to be sufficiently degraded. The low water stability (high disintegration rate) of the traditional pellets could create adverse rumen conditions when high amounts of these pellets are fed, even though the passage rate may be relatively high. A rapid degradation rate could cause acidic conditions in the rumen, leading to suboptimal nutrient utilization, from both forage and concentrate origin, resulting in impaired performance (i.e. milk production). Floating pellets may therefore be a way to safely feed higher amounts of pelleted compound feed as compared to feeding pellets produced in the traditional way. This may be a way to safely get more nutrients into the fresh cow (after calving) and minimize the negative energy and protein balance.

In an example the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 70 %, after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method of the description. With a water stability index of at least 70 %, more feed pellets will remain intact and/or more of each feed pellet will remain intact. A feed pellet that is no longer intact, has lost its targeted sinking and floating characteristics.

In an example the sinking velocity of the feed pellet in tap water, for example water at a temperature between 10-15 °C, is at most 7 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method of the description. Such a feed pellet leads to improved animal performance, e.g. milk production and/or feed efficiency.

In an example the sinking velocity of the feed pellet in tap water is at most 5 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method of the description. Such a feed pellet leads to further improved animal performance.

In an example the sinking velocity of the feed pellet in tap water is at most 2 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method of the description. Such a feed pellet leads to even further improved animal performance.

In an example the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 35 %, measured according to the analysis method of the description. Such a feed pellet leads to improved animal performance.

In an example the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 40 %, measured according to the analysis method of the description. Such a feed pellet leads to further improved animal performance.

In an example the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 45 %, measured according to the analysis method of the description. Such a feed pellet leads to even further improved animal performance.

The present invention also relates to a feed pellet having the following properties: i) the bulk density is at most 550 g/l; ii) the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65 %, after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method of the description; iii) the sinking velocity of the feed pellet is at most 7 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method of the description; iv) the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 35 %, measured according to the analysis method of the description.

The present invention also relates to a method of preparing feed pellets comprising one or more of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibres, the feed pellet having a bulk density of maximally 550 g/l, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing one or more sources of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibres; b) mixing the components of a) to obtain a mixed composition; c) preconditioning of the mixed composition of step b); d) extruding the preconditioned composition of step ¢) so as to obtain feed pellets having a bulk density of maximally 550 g/l, wherein the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65 %, after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method of the description. In an example of the present method, the amount of fat applied in step c) is at most 2.5 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed pellet. In a specific example, the amount of fat applied in step c) is at most 1.75 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed pellet. The amount of fat applied during preconditioning influences the water stability index of the feed pellet.

In an example of the present method, the amount of fat applied in step c) is at least

0.1 wt%.

In an example of the present method, the amount of water added in step Cc) is at least 3 wt.%, preferably at least 6 wt.%, based on the total weight of the feed pellet. With the term water, liquid water is meant, i.e. not steam. The amount of water during preconditioning influences the expansion ratio of the feed pellet. The preconditioning of the mixed composition includes the addition of steam. Steam can be used to increase the temperature of the feed material prior to extrusion. In an example of the present method the total amount of fat to be included in the feed pellet is provided at two different stages of the production process. A first part of fat is provided in step ¢) and the second or remaining part of fat is provided in a step e), i.e. in a step e) after extruding the preconditioned composition of step c). Such a step e) comprises coating the extruded composition with a fat composition.

In an example of the present method the amount of fat applied in step ¢) is less than the amount of fat applied in step e).

In an example of the present method the sinking velocity of the feed pellet is at most 7 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method of the description.

In an example of the present method the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 35 %, measured according to the analysis method of the description.

In an example of the present method step a) further comprises providing one or more additives selected from the group consisting of enzymes, vitamins, anti- oxidants, colorants, flavourings, carotenoids, synthetic amino acids, organic acids, coccidiostatics, antimicrobial growth stimulants, trace elements and veterinary medicines.

The present invention also relates to a method of feeding a ruminant, said method comprising the step of administering to said ruminant a feed pellet as discussed above.

‘Feed efficiency’ as used in the present description provides information regarding the utilisation of the feed.

It is based on the ratio between the milk production and the feed intake on dry matter basis.

For milk production, the fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) yield per day is taken, which is calculated in the following way: FPCM per day = total milk (kg) * (0.337 + 0.116 * % milk fat + 0.06 * % milk protein), wherein total milk (kg) is the average daily milk yield of a group of cows, expressed as kg milk per cow per day, and wherein % milk fat and % milk protein are wt.% and are determined in the milk (e.g. in individual cow’s milk during milk testing or for a group of cows in the milk tank). These values can for instance be obtained from milk testing reports, milk delivery reports and/or farm management systems.

For feed intake on dry matter basis, the total daily feed intake on dry matter basis (kg) is taken, which is calculated by subtracting the amount of residual feed 24 hours after feeding (corrected for deviations in feeding time) from the total amount of feed (registered per feed ingredient) fed to an individual cow.

Subsequently the average daily feed intake is calculated for a group of cows and expressed as kg dry matter intake per cow per day.

The feed efficiency can then be determined by the following formula: FPCM yield (k Feed efficiency = LL The method of feeding a ruminant aims for increasing one or more of milk yield (kg/d), FPCM yield (kg/d), fat yield (g/d), protein yield (g/d), lactose yield (g/d), Feed efficiency and N efficiency of a ruminant. “Trace elements” as used in the present description means: micronutrients, such as copper, selenium, manganese, cobalt, iodine, iron, and zinc. “Vitamins” as used in the present description means: an organic molecule (or related set of molecules) that is an essential micronutrient that an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism.

Examples of vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin D3, and vitamin E. “Additives” as used in the present description means: any additive that is suitable for use in an animal feed, preferably additives that stimulate a good performance and/or a good health status and/or good fertility of said animals, such as an antibiotic, preservative, enzyme, antifungal agent, antioxidant, colorant, sweetener, perfume, binder, anti-protozoic, anti-mold/yeast and supporter/promoter rumen fermentation.

The present invention also relates to the use of a feed pellet as discussed above for feeding a ruminant, especially a ruminant for milk production.

Further preferred embodiments are defined in the sub claims.

Experimental test data from tests at experimental farms show that ruminants, especially ruminants for milk production, react very well to the use of the present feed pellets. Reference is made to the accompanying examples for more details.

Typically, feed ingredients comprising fermentable carbohydrates form the basis of the feed pellets. Rumen fermentable carbohydrates are important to optimize rumen microbial growth and fermentation, maintain microbial amino acid production and provide energy as volatile fatty acids. Non-limiting examples of rumen fermentable carbohydrates suitable for the feed pellets include starch (e.g. as found in grains or cereals such as barley, corn, sorghum, wheat, oat, rye, and the like.), sugar (e.g. molasses, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, beta-glucans, galactans, and the like), fermentable fibres (e.g. as found in forages such as straw, alfalfa and/or grasses, in hay, haylage, silage or pellet form, and the like or by-products such as beet pulp, citrus pulp, soy hulls and the like), as well as any mixture thereof. Feed pellets also comprise proteins (e.g. soybean, various proteins contained in grains or cereals), fats (e.g. palm oil), other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals as well as medicine (e.g. antibiotics). The skilled person is well- acquainted with the term "feed pellet" for ruminant and knows how to select a source of fat, proteins, sugars, starch and fibres suitable for ruminants.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of the present feed pellets as described in the examples is not limiting.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail by means of a number of examples and comparative examples, from which the advantages of the present invention will become apparent.

Method of analysis Expansion ratio Expansion ratio is determined by measuring the diameter of 30 randomly selected feed pellets, using a calliper.

The difference between the average feed pellet diameter (Dp) and the die hole size (De) is divided by the die hole size (De) used in the extruder or pellet press.

Expansion ratio is presented in the form of percentage (%). Expansion ratio is calculated by the following equation.

Expansion ratio (%)= (Dp-De)/Dex100 Bulk density Bulk density is determined by pouring the feed pellets into a 1L tared steel cylinder until it is filled until the edge.

Excess feed pellets are removed by a scraper, pulling gently over the edge of the cylinder.

Subsequently the cylinder with filled feed pellets is weighed on a balance.

Each feed sample is measured twice and bulk density (g/L) is calculated as the mean of two measurements.

Specific density Specific density may be regarded as the density of an individual feed pellet.

The specific density of irregular shaped extruded feed pellets is measured by a volumetric displacement method using tapped density and can be seen as the modified form of the originally developed method by Hwang and Yakawa (1980). Dried silver sand (fine) is used as displacement medium in a 100 ml graduated glass cylinder.

As the first step, circa 20 gram randomly selected feed pellets are weighed (Wp) and put together in a graduated 250 ml glass cylinder.

Separately 50 ml volume of silver sand (Vi = initial volume) is measured in a graduated glass cylinder by tapping 10 times on a flat surface.

This 50 ml silver sand is poured into the 250 ml glass cylinder filled with feed pellets.

Then this cylinder with silver sand and feed pellets is tapped on a flat surface until all void volumes are gone and preventing that feed pellets gets floating on the sand.

At the end the final volume (Vf) of feed pellets plus sand is read from the graduated glass cylinder.

Bulk volume of feed pellets (Vp) is calculated as Bulk volume (litre) Vp = (Vf - Vi) * 1000

Hence, the specific density (g/L) of feed pellets is determined by formula as Specific density (g/L) (Ds) = Wp (gram) / Vp (litre) The values presented are the average of five single measurements.

Sinking/floating characteristics Cold tap water is used to determine sinking and floating characteristics. A 500 ml transparent glass cylinder (ca. 31 cm tall and 3.5 cm inner diameter) is used having two fixed points marked, 27 cm apart from each other with O cm of fluid column above and 2 cm below the fixed points respectively. A glass cylinder with cold tap water is used at room temperature. Thirty randomly selected pellets are dropped one by one from a height of about 3 cm above the fluid surface into the center of the glass cylinder. Sinking velocity (sinking speed) is determined by measuring the time (seconds) with a stopwatch as feed pellets travel to cover the distance of 27 cm between the two fixed points. Tap water is renewed in the glass cylinder after 10 feed pellets measurements. The reported values for sinking velocity are the average of 30 feed pellets, expressed as cm/s. When a feed pellet still floats after 5 minutes entering the water, it is registered as floating and not taken into the calculated average of the sinking velocity. Floating behavior is expressed as the percentage of feed pellets still floating after 5 minutes of the 30 randomly selected feed pellets used for measuring the sinking velocity. When all 30 randomly selected feed pellets still floated after 5 minutes the sinking velocity is set to zero.

Water Stability Index (WSI) To determine the Water Stability Index (WSI) of feed pellets cold tap water is used. The water stability test is performed using ball shaped stainless steel baskets (tea strainers having inner diameter 5.5-6 cm), with mesh size of average 2.0 mm, and a plastic box (dimension H x W x D; 40cm x 40cm x 40cm). After weighing the empty basket (c) about 10 grams of feed pellets is weighed into the basket (a) and the basket is closed tightly with a clip fixed to the basket. About 10 liters of cold tap water is poured into the plastic box. Four baskets carrying four different feed samples are hanging on a thick plasticized iron wire. Three thick plasticized iron wires are used for incubation, each carrying four baskets with four different feed samples. So, in total

12 baskets are used at the same time.

Each iron wire with 4 baskets hanging on to it, is submerged in the water for soaking and moved up and down 10 times every 15 minutes.

After different time points resp. 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 hours, the baskets are taken out of the plastic box and hold for a while to get rid of excess fluid.

The baskets are weighed (b) after placing into an oven at 70°C for drying for at least 48 h.

The pellet stability is calculated by dividing the dry matter residue after incubation in cold tap water by the original feed weight before incubation multiplied by the dry matter content of the feed (d (g/kg)) and is presented as percentage (%). Water Stability Index (%) = ((b-c)/(a*(d/1000))) x 100% Examples Preparation of feed pellets Raw materials were stored in silos and, after milling, mixed in a mixer.

After mixing of the raw materials the mixed composition was extruded into feed pellets.

The raw materials are listed in Table 1. The total amount (see column two, Inclusion level) is 100% and the remaining components include minerals, vitamins, trace elements and other standard additives for ruminant feed.

The addition of fat took place at two different positions in the process.

A first addition of fat took place before the extrusion step, i.e. a so called preconditioning step, and the second addition took place after the extrusion step.

The second addition of fat took place in a so called vacuum coater.

After the vacuum coater the feed pellets thus prepared were stored in a silo.

Please note that the apparatus used for the second addition of fat is not restricted to a vacuum coater but that other apparatuses of adding fat can be used as well.

Table 1: composition of feed pellet Ingredient Inclusion | Product group | Inclusion | Main Nutrient level (%) level (%)

I I g [Wheat | 15 [| 1 Rapeseed meal Oilseed meals Soybeanmeal46P | 10 [ LL Beet pulp max 12% 7 Fibrous 23 Fibre sugar ingredients Soyhuls>31%RC | 6 [ LL Palm kernelmeal | 5 LL Maize glutenfeedEU] 5 | ~~ [ ~~ [ | [Pamoil | 4 | on | 4 [Fat | In Table 2 the process conditions for preparing a feed pellet for ruminants is disclosed. Three different types of feed pellets were prepared, i.e. a “fast sinking” feed pellet, a “slow sinking” feed pellet and a “floating” feed pellet. The physical properties of these feed pellets will be discussed later.

From Table 2 one will deduce that the amount of palm oil/fat added in the preconditioning step will determine the physical characteristics of the final feed pellet. An amount of palm oil of at most 1.75 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed pellet at the precondition step, i.e. the so-called first addition of fat, will provide a “floating” feed pellet. An amount of palm oil of more than 1.75 and at most 2.5 wt% at the precondition step will provide a “slow sinking” feed pellet. An amount of palm oil of more than 2.5 wt.% at the precondition step will provide a “fast sinking” feed pellet. Please note that the total amount of palm oil, the sum of the palm oil/fat added before the extrusion step, i.e. in the preconditioning step, and the amount of palm oil/fat added at the vacuum coater, for the three different types of feed pellets is the same, i.e. an amount of about 4.30 %. In addition, the amount of water added in the preconditioning step has an influence on the expansion behavior of the feed pellet.

In that context an amount of added water of at least 6 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed pellet at the precondition step, will provide a “floating” feed pellet. An amount of added water of 3 - 6 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed pellet at the precondition step, will provide a “slow sinking” feed pellet. An amount of added water of less than 3 wt.% based on the total weight of the feed pellet at the precondition step, will provide a “fast sinking” feed pellet — which is not according to the invention.

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An animal trial was performed with 60 lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows at a research facility in The Netherlands. Cows were selected based on and blocked for milk production in the previous lactation, parity, expected calving date, and body weight four weeks before calving. Within each block, cows were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments. Cows entered the trial as soon as possible after calving and ended the trial after 70 days post calving. Cows were housed in a free stall barn with rubber floors, cubicles, and a rapid exit milking parlour (2 x 12 cow places). Cows were milked twice daily. The number of cubicles (1.10 m x 2.5/2.75 m) was at least the same as the number of cows. Cows had unrestricted access to drinking water.

The partial mixed ration (PMR) was supplied to all cows in individual feeding troughs behind Calan gates (American Calan; NH, USA). Experimental pellets (A — D) were supplied in separate, individual feeders attached to the PMR feeder and the allocated amount of pellets was supplied in 3 portions per day.

Cows from all treatments received the same PMR. The PMR consisted of grass silage, corn silage and an unpelleted concentrate mix (Table 3). Cows had unrestricted access to the PMR and the PMR was fed aiming at ~ 5% feed residuals.

Table 3: PMR composition for all treatments i Cds | ww | 7s | ow emee | |v Cows among treatments received the same amount of pelleted experimental compound feed with 2" parity cows receiving a maximum of 11.5 kg and older cows a maximum of 12.5 kg per day (product based). Actual amount of pellets was adjusted to the difference of actual dry matter (DM) content of pellets at the start of the trial aiming for equal DM (and nutrient) intake from the experimental feeds. Experimental feed intake was built up starting at 1.5 kg at three days post calving to maximum intake at 16 days post calving.

The feed pellet properties subdivided into reference, a “fast sinking” feed pellet, a “slow sinking” feed pellet and a “floating” feed pellet (see Table 2). The ingredient composition was the same (the same inclusion levels for all raw materials) for all four experimental pellets. The feed pellet identified as “reference” is prepared according to common ruminant feed production using an expander-pellet press pelleting line. This process does not comprise extrusion. It does comprise preconditioning with steam.

Production performance of the dairy cows is presented in Table 4.

Table 4: Milk, fat, protein and lactose yield and efficiencies of cows fed pellets with the same ingredient composition, during week 1 to 10 of lactation

I Reference | Fast sinking | Slow sinking | Floating _ ” In Table 4 the term “Reference” refers to a feed pellet having an expansion ratio of 6 %, a bulk density of 690 g/l, a specific density of 1050 g/l, a sinking velocity of 13.4 cm/s and a water stability index of less than 10%. All parameters are measured according to the analysis methods of the present description.

In Table 4 the term “Fast sinking” refers to a feed pellet having an expansion ratio of 29 %, a bulk density of 540 g/l, a specific density of 920 g/l, a sinking velocity of 8.8 cm/s and a water stability index of 59%. All parameters are measured according to the analysis methods of the present description.

In Table 4 the term “Slow sinking” refers to a feed pellet having an expansion ratio of 41 %, a bulk density of 490 g/l, a specific density of 820 g/l, a sinking velocity of 4.0 cm/s and a water stability index of 74%. All parameters are measured according to the analysis methods of the present description.

In Table 4 the term “Floating” refers to a feed pellet having an expansion ratio of 49 %, a bulk density of 420 g/l, a specific density of 730 g/l, a sinking velocity of 0.0 cm/s and a water stability index of 75%. All parameters are measured according to the analysis methods of the present description. Table 5 shows a summary of the bulk density, water stability index, sinking velocity and expansion ratio of the feed pellets.

Table 5: feed pellet properties Code 4637 (Reference) 4639 (Floating) End product End product 13-nov- | 23-jan- | 4-mrt- 13-nov- | 23-jan- | 4-mrt- Run 19 20 20 19 20 20 |Expansion ratio (%) 4,7 49 7,8 44 47 55 49 Bulkdensity [(g/) | 700 | 690 | €80 | 690 | 450 | 430 | 385 | 422 | Specific Floating [(%) | o | o | o | o | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | ‚5 [Sinking [¢%) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 700 | o | © | 0 [ 0 | rr rr rr LLL Sinking veleiy (emseo| 138 | 131 | 104 124/ o | o | o | 0 Water stability index (% 8 hr) <10 <10 <10 <10* 72,5 75,1 77,3 75 Code 4640 (Fast Sinking) 4641 (Slow Sinking) End product End product 13-nov- | 23-jan- | 4-mrt- 13-nov- | 23-jan- | 4-mrt- Run 19 20 20 19 20 20 Expansion ratio (%) 33 26 27 39 39 44 41 Bulk density | (g/l) [Specific density (g/l) 885 935 924 915 823 834 793 817 Floating [%) | o | o | o | o [| 13 | 17 | 17 | 16 | Sinking velocity (cm/sec) 8,7 8,8 3,8 40 43 so Lr LLL [| Water stability index (% 8 hr) 81,1 60,7 55,3 74,8 75,0 73,0 74 * after 4 hours already more than 90% of the pellets were desintegrated. That is why water stability index after 8 hours wasn't measured and reported as <10%

The results will be presented in the Figures 1-7.

Figure 1 shows the milk yield (kg/day) for each of the four feed pellets as a function of time after calving (week post calving).

Figure 2 shows the FPCM yield (kg/day) for each of the four feed pellets as a function of time after calving (week post calving).

Figure 3 shows the fat yield (g/day) for each of the four feed pellets as a function of time after calving (week post calving).

Figure 4 shows the protein yield (g/day) for each of the four feed pellets as a function time after calving (week post calving).

Figure 5 shows the lactose yield (g/day) for each of the four feed pellets as a function of time after calving ( week post calving).

Figure 6 shows the N efficiency (%) for each of the four feed pellets as a function of time after calving (week post calving).

Figure 7 shows the feed efficiency (kg FPCM/ kg DMI) for each of the four feed pellets as a function of time after calving (week post calving).

From Figure 1 the milk yield (kg/day) is increased for the feed pellets identified as “Slow sinking” and “Floating” compared to both the reference feed pellet and the feed pellet identified as “Fast sinking”.

From Figure 2 the FPCM yield (kg/day) is increased for the feed pellets identified as “Slow sinking” and “Floating” compared to both the reference feed pellet and the feed pellet identified as “Fast sinking”.

From Figures 3-7 a similar trend can be observed for the feed pellets identified as “Slow sinking” and “Floating” compared to both the reference feed pellet and the feed pellet identified as “Fast sinking”.

On basis of the experimental results the inventors surprisingly found that the physical properties of the feed pellet are of influence on the milk yield (kg/d), FPCM yield (kg/d), fat yield (g/d), protein yield (g/d), lactose yield (g/d) and Feed and N efficiency of a ruminant. Improved values for milk yield, FPCM yield, fat yield, protein yield, lactose yield and Feed and N efficiency have been obtained for a feed pellet having a water stability index of at least 65 % after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method as discussed above.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. Feed pellet for ruminants comprising one or more of fat, protein, sugars, starch and fibre, the feed pellet having a bulk density of at most 550 g/L, characterized in that the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65%, after 8 hours , measured according to the method of analysis described in the description.

A feed pellet according to claim 1, characterized in that the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 70%, after 8 hours, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sinking speed of the feed pellet in tap water is at most 7 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to claim 3, characterized in that the sinking speed of the feed pellet in tap water is at most 5 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that the sinking speed of the feed pellet in tap water is at most 2 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 35%, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to claim 6, characterized in that the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 40%, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to any one of claims 6-7, characterized in that the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 45%, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A feed pellet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that i) the bulk density is at most 550 g/L; ii) the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65% after 8 hours, measured according to the analytical method in the description; ii) the sinking speed of the feed pellet is at most 7 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method from the description;

iv) the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 35%, measured according to the method of analysis described in the description.

10. Method for preparing feed pellets comprising one or more of fat, protein, sugars, starch and fibres, the feed pellet having a bulk density of at most 550 g/L, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing one or more sources of fat, protein, sugars, starch and fiber; b) mixing the components of a) to obtain a mixed composition; c) preconditioning the mixed composition of step b); d) extruding the preconditioned mixed composition of step c) to obtain feed pellets with a bulk density of up to 550 g/L, in which the water stability index of the feed pellet is at least 65 %, after 8 hours, measured according to the analytical method described in the description .

A method according to claim 10, characterized in that part of the total amount of fat is provided in step c) and the remaining partial fat is used in step e) after extrusion of the preconditioned mixed composition of step c), wherein step e ) coating the extruded composition with a fat composition.

A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the amount of fat used in step c) is at most 2.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the feed pellet.

A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the amount of fat used in step c) is at most 1.75% by weight, based on the total weight of the feed pellet.

A method according to one or more of claims 10-13, characterized in that the amount of water added in step c) is at least 3 wt.%, preferably at least 6 wt.%, based on the total weight of the feed pellet.

Method as claimed in one or more of the claims 10-14, characterized in that the sinking speed of the feed pellet is at most 7 cm/s, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

Method according to one or more of claims 10-15, characterized in that the expansion ratio of the feed pellet is at least 35%, measured according to the analysis method from the description.

A method according to any one of claims 10-16, characterized in that step a) further comprises providing one or more additives selected from the group consisting of enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants, coloring agents, flavoring agents, carotenoids, synthetic amino acids , organic acids, coccidiostats, antimicrobial growth stimulators, trace elements and veterinary medicines.

A method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising the step of administering to the ruminant a feed pellet according to any one of claims 1-9.

A method of feeding a ruminant according to claim 18 for increasing one or more of milk yield (kg/d), FPCM yield (kg/d), fat yield (g/d), protein yield (g/d), lactose yield (g/d) and feed efficiency and nitrogen efficiency of a ruminant.

Use of a feed pellet according to one or more of claims 1-9 for feeding a ruminant, in particular a ruminant for milk production.