<div class="application article clearfix" id="description">
<p class="printTableText" lang="en">New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £99273 <br><br>
29 <br><br>
9 <br><br>
273 <br><br>
Priority Date(s):..tt-.1.3.|3£ <br><br>
Complete Specification Filed: .5l.l3.l3Jf?. Class: p) ....B»3.&.U.£.S <br><br>
inro'w <br><br>
Publication Date: ......... <br><br>
P.O. Journal No: <br><br>
NO <br><br>
INGS <br><br>
Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: JB206952 <br><br>
Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION <br><br>
AMMAL FEED <br><br>
I, BASIL ARTHUR WORMALD, a citizen of South Africa of 38 Haig Avenue, Queenstown, South Africa hereby declare the invention, for which i pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: <br><br>
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PT05A98714 <br><br>
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(followed by page 1a) <br><br>
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <br><br>
THIS invention relates to animal feeds and seed products. <br><br>
Desertification of otherwise good farmland is often caused by factors such as changing weather patterns leading to poor rainfall. However, this problem has been compounded in many instances by poor farming methods or mismanagement of these areas. Even in areas where there is sufficient rainfall, overgrazing and other poor farming methods may lead to desertification. <br><br>
Attempts have been made to halt or even reverse these desertification, processes, but these have not always been successful. j> ^ <br><br>
(followed Bynpage 2) <br><br>
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION <br><br>
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal feed, in solid form, which includes seeds, selected from grass seeds, legume seeds and other pasture plant seeds, which seeds are substantially not digestible upon being ingested by an animal wherein at least some of the seeds are protected in the solid form from conditions which may cause germination of the seeds. <br><br>
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a seed product, in solid form, which comprises seeds, selected from grass seeds, legume seeds and other pasture plant seeds, which are substantially not digestible upon being ingested by an animal, and a binder for the seeds, wherein at least some of the seeds are protected in the sclid form by the binder from conditions which may cause germination of the seeds, the seed product being adapted to be ingested by an animal with at least some of the seeds thereafter being excreted by the animal. <br><br>
The seed product need not contain any ingredients which contribute to the nutrition of the animal <br><br>
These seeds in the animal feed or the seed product are therefore able to pass through the animal's digestive system and are deposited in the animal's manure. The seeds may then germinate under favourable weather conditions and lead to the re-establishment of grass, herbs, legumes and other pasture plants. <br><br>
By solid form there is included a solid lick block, pellets, granules, tablets and the like, provided that such solid forms protect at least some of the <br><br>
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seeds from conditions which may cause germination of the seeds, for example moisture. Excluded from solid form products are those which are in the form of a meal, or a loose lick form. <br><br>
Seeds which are suitable include seeds which are indigenous to the country concerned, as well as: lucerne, red clover, subterranean clover, medics, wheat, sorghum, forage ranisetum, old man saltbush, tall fescue, midmar ryegrass, nui ryegrass, eragrostis curvula, eragrostis teff, bermuda grass, smuts finger grass, rhodes grass, columbusgrass and chencherus ciliaris. <br><br>
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seeds are included in a solid lick block, preferably a molasses-based lick block. <br><br>
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS <br><br>
The crux of the invention is that an animal feed or seed product in solid form includes seeds, which may be grass seeds, legume seeds or other pasture plant seeds, which seeds are substantially not digestible upon being ingested by an animal, and which seeds are protected from conditions which may cause germination by the solid form of the animal feed or seed product. <br><br>
The animal concerned may be a domesticated animal such as cattle, sheep and horses, or a wild or game animal. <br><br>
The preferred form of animal feed is a solid lick block, preferably a molasses-based lick block. <br><br>
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In South African Patent No 77/0927 there is disclosed a method for preparing an animal lick block comprising the steps of mixing hot molasses and at least one solidifying agent at atmospheric or elevated pressure, allowing the mixture to thicken, transferring the thickened mixture into a mould and heating the mixture in the mould until it solidifies. This method may be used to manufacture an animal lick block of the invention, with the seeds being added into the mixing step. <br><br>
This patent also discloses a solidified molasses-based lick block containing a protein source in the form of dried, sterilised poultry litter. This molasses-based lick block, including seeds as required, may be utilised as the animal feed of the invention. <br><br>
The contents of South African Patent No 77/0927 are incorporated herein by reference. <br><br>
The seeds which are suitable for use in the animal feed of the invention are those which are substantially not digestible upon being ingested by an animal. Examples of suitable seeds are listed above. <br><br>
The quantity of seeds to be included in an animal feed or in the seed product will be widely varied depending upon the use to which the animal feed or the seed product is to be put, the type of animal, the type of seed, the rainfull potential of the area and the soil type. <br><br>
In the seed product the binder may be any suitable binder for the seeds, such as for example a natural gum eg guar gum, or a mixture of a gum with eg lime <br><br>
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The invention has been subjected to various tests and details thereof are set out below. <br><br>
The viability of different seed types that are normally recommended for the revegetation of denuded areas were determined on a Shortlands soil type as well as in the laboratory. A cost and time effective revegetation method, by making use of supplement feeding blocks containing selected seed types, was also evaluated. <br><br>
Procedures <br><br>
Ten non-coated and four coated seed types were used in the experiments. The trials were carried out under controlled conditions in the laboratory, using an incubator oven at a temperature of 28°C, as well as on the Shortlands soil type in a green house. The Shortlands soil type is known for its ability to form a crust and increased compaction under severe degraded conditions. Standarized germination tests were used according to 1ST A (1995). Coated as well as non-coated seeds were sown in soil trays. The crust of the soil was artificially disturbed to simulate a mechanical reinforcement practice. The percentage of seed germination was determined by the counting of seedlings over a two week period. <br><br>
The spreading of seeds with a supplement feed block which is used for grazing animals (cattle) was also investigated. Non-coated seeds were placed in a commercially manufactured feed block. The viability of the seeds after the manufacturing of the blocks were tested, as well as after the supplement feed with the seeds were ingested by the animal and had passed through the rumen. <br><br>
This was done by collecting the dung of the cattle, daily over a period'of^ 1 <br><br>
29 9 2 73 <br><br>
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five days and establishing the germination rate of the seeds in an incubator oven after they were removed from the dung. <br><br>
The supplement feed blocks were also placed under a rainfall simulator and were wetted once a week under a frequency equal to 80 mm per hour obtained under natural conditions. <br><br>
The non-coated and coated seeds used in the experiments were: <br><br>
Non-coated seeds: Perennials <br><br>
Atriplex nummularia Medicago sativa <br><br>
Eragrostis curvula Cynodon dactylon <br><br>
Chloris gayana Digitaria eriantha <br><br>
Panicum maximum Cenchrus ciliaris <br><br>
Non-coated seeds: Annuals Pennisetum americanum <br><br>
Eragrostis tef <br><br>
Coated seeds: Perennials Anthephora pubescens Digitaria eriantha <br><br>
Chloris gayana Panicum maximum <br><br>
Results and Discussions <br><br>
Perennials: Non-coated seeds These results are illustrated in Figure 1. <br><br>
The germination rate of A. nummularia was the highest (40%) in the dupg1 <br><br>
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after the seeds passed through the digestive tract of the grazing animal. A very low germination rate (4%) of this species was only obtained in the soil after the trays were watered for a four week period. This emphasizes the fact, that the high salt content (NaCl)in the protecting fruiting bract around the seed inhibits the germination rate and must first be removed by a pre-sowing treatment, before better germination results can be expected. <br><br>
The highest germination percentages were obtained in the soil trials that were sown with M. sativa (43%). Because of its strong and deep root system, it is very drought resistant and recuperates quickly after severe drought periods. It can be kept in areas with an annual rainfall as low as 400 mm. <br><br>
E. curvula showed the best overall germination results of all the perennial species in the oven (98%), feed blocks (96%) and dung experiments (70%). The passage of ingesta from the rumen to the lower parts of the digestive tract is governed by the reduction in particle size. The reticulo-omasal orifice in cattle is larger than in sheep or goats, and more large particles (1-2,5 mm) pass from the rumen. Hence the slower passage of larger seeds by all animals, and the passage of more undamaged seeds, especially the smaller seed types like E. curvula, would be anticipated. <br><br>
Although rather low (average of 20%), the germination rate of D. eriantha and C. gayana were the best in the oven as well as the dung, except for the feed blocks where C. gayana had a germination rate of up to 23%. <br><br>
The best overall results of all the perennial species were obtained in the dung experiments, after the seeds were put in the supplement feed blocks and have passed the rumen of the grazing animals, although only betwegrf^v1.1 <br><br>
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40-50% of the seeds were still viable and undamaged after being ingested. <br><br>
Annuals: Non-coated seeds <br><br>
These results are illustrated in Figure 2. <br><br>
The germination rate of both P. americanum and E. tef was above the average certified germination percentages namely 99% for P. americanum (60%) and 86% for E. tef (70%), in the experiments carried out in the oven. <br><br>
When comparing the germination results of all the non-coated species (annual and perennial) in the soil trials, P. americanum had the highest germination rate of 58% (Figures 1 & 2). It is not recommended to use P. americanum in the supplement feed block, as the germination rate in the dung was well below the other treatments. <br><br>
Perennials: coated seeds <br><br>
These results are illustrated in Figure 3. <br><br>
All four coated seeds types, A. pubescens (21%), C. gayana (22%), D. eriantha (10%) and P. maximum (9%) showed surprisingly low results in the oven and soil trials. This can be attributed to the fact that the seeds tend to mould in the coat which surrounds the seeds, as they were kept at a very high moiusture content throughout the experiment. Under natural circumstances however, this ability to "gather" moisture, could possibly enhance germination as there is not always enough moisture available. <br><br>
Examples of suitable commercial feed blocks which may be utilised in the invention are set out below. <br><br>
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9 <br><br>
Sheep Block Composition Protein derived from N.P.N 47% of total <br><br>
Protein <br><br>
300 g/kg min <br><br>
Iron <br><br>
330 mg/kg <br><br>
Fat <br><br>
25 g/kg min <br><br>
Zinc <br><br>
340 mg/kg <br><br>
Fibre <br><br>
150 g/kg max <br><br>
Manganese <br><br>
310 mg/kg <br><br>
Urea <br><br>
10 g/kg <br><br>
Copper <br><br>
110 mg/kg <br><br>
Biuret <br><br>
50 g/kg <br><br>
Cobalt <br><br>
3 mg/kg <br><br>
Sulphur <br><br>
17 g/kg <br><br>
Iodine <br><br>
6 mg/kg <br><br>
Magnesium <br><br>
11 g/kg <br><br>
Selenium <br><br>
1.0 mg/kg <br><br>
Phosphorus <br><br>
23 g/kg <br><br>
Calcium <br><br>
30 g/kg <br><br>
M.E. <br><br>
85 mj/kg <br><br>
(Estimated) <br><br>
Cattle Block Composition Protein derived from N.P.N 47% of total <br><br>
Protein <br><br>
300 g/kg min <br><br>
Iron <br><br>
200 mg/kg <br><br>
Fat <br><br>
25 g/kg min <br><br>
Zinc <br><br>
320 mg/kg <br><br>
Fibre <br><br>
150 g/kg max <br><br>
Manganese <br><br>
310 mg/kg <br><br>
Urea <br><br>
10 g/kg <br><br>
Copper <br><br>
115 mg/kg <br><br>
Biuret <br><br>
50 g/kg <br><br>
Cobalt <br><br>
3 mg/kg <br><br>
Sulphur <br><br>
15 g/kg <br><br>
Iodine <br><br>
6 mg/kg <br><br>
Magnesium <br><br>
10 g/kg <br><br>
Selenium <br><br>
1.0 mg/kg <br><br>
Phosphorus <br><br>
23 g/kg <br><br>
Calcium <br><br>
30 g/kg <br><br>
M.E. <br><br>
85 mj/kg <br><br>
* <br><br>
1 <br><br>
(Estimated) <br><br>
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Pasture Block Composition Protein derived from N.P.N 47% of total <br><br>
Protein <br><br>
180 g/kg min <br><br>
Iron <br><br>
200 mg/kg <br><br>
Fat <br><br>
25 g/kg min <br><br>
Zinc <br><br>
320 mg/kg <br><br>
Fibre <br><br>
150 g/kg max <br><br>
Manganese <br><br>
310 mg/kg <br><br>
Urea <br><br>
10 g/kg <br><br>
Copper <br><br>
115 mg/kg <br><br>
Biuret <br><br>
25 g/kg <br><br>
Cobalt <br><br>
3 mg/kg <br><br>
Sulphur <br><br>
16 g/kg <br><br>
Iodine <br><br>
6 mg/kg <br><br>
Magnesium <br><br>
14 g/kg <br><br>
Selenium <br><br>
1.0 mg/kg <br><br>
Phosphorus <br><br>
23 g/kg <br><br>
Calcium <br><br>
35 g/kg <br><br>
M.E. <br><br>
85 mj/kg <br><br>
(Estimated) <br><br>
Summer Block Composition - Lick Supplement Protein derived from N.P.N 26% of total <br><br>
Protein <br><br>
150 g/kg min <br><br>
Iron <br><br>
700 mg/kg <br><br>
Fibre <br><br>
150 g/kg min <br><br>
Zinc <br><br>
560 mg/kg <br><br>
Calcium <br><br>
60 g/kg max <br><br>
Manganese <br><br>
560 mg/kg <br><br>
Phosphorus <br><br>
30 g/kg <br><br>
Copper <br><br>
150 mg/kg <br><br>
Sulphur <br><br>
17 g/kg <br><br>
Cobalt <br><br>
1.5 mg/kg <br><br>
Magnesium <br><br>
15 g/kg <br><br>
Iodine <br><br>
7.5 mg/kg <br><br>
Selenium <br><br>
1.0 mg/kg <br><br>
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