An apparatus and method for processing grain material to generate a consistently high densified grain with a desired length, shape and size. The densified grain processing apparatus comprises a die assembly, a cooling assembly and a break-off assembly. The method includes receiving the grain material by the die assembly and forcing the grain material through an extrusion passageway that evenly distributes the grain material into a plurality of orifices thereby producing a high density shaped grain before the grain material exits the die assembly. A coolant is pumped to a coolant passage by means of an at least one pump and cools the shaped grain by passing the shaped grain through at least one of the cooling tube inside a cooling chamber. The break-off assembly then breaks off a predetermined length of the shaped grain.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.

A process is provided for the treatment of a particulate leguminous plant material, such that the processed particulate leguminous plant material possesses characteristics that are desirable for animal, such as human, consumption. The leguminous plant material is subjected to one or more cycles of temperature treatment, each cycle including a heating phase and a cooling phase. The heating phase temperature of at least one of the temperature treatment cycles may be lower than the heating phase temperature of the preceding temperature treatment cycle. Particulate leguminous plant material comprising substantially reduced concentrations of one or more molecules that contribute to odour and/or flavour may be produced by the process. Particulate leguminous material produced by the process may be used as a food, or as an ingredient in a food product.

A method of manufacturing a pet food may include retorting a composition comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of (i) yogurt, (ii) cheese and (iii) a combination of one or more hydrocolloids and at least one of an animal milk or a plant-based dairy alternative to form the shelf-stable pet food. A product may include the pet food and also a container housing the pet food, the container including instructions to administer the pet food to a pet, preferably a companion animal, most preferably a cat. A method of providing nutrition to a pet may include administering the pet food to a pet, preferably a companion animal, most preferably a cat. The pet food optionally consists of the retorted material. The pet food optionally is low in lactose or lactose-free and optionally includes no added sugar relative to that in the material subjected to the retorting.

A method of manufacturing a pet food may include retorting a composition comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of (i) yogurt, (ii) cheese and (iii) a combination of one or more hydrocolloids and at least one of an animal milk or a plant-based dairy alternative to form the shelf-stable pet food. A product may include the pet food and also a container housing the pet food, the container including instructions to administer the pet food to a pet, preferably a companion animal, most preferably a cat. A method of providing nutrition to a pet may include administering the pet food to a pet, preferably a companion animal, most preferably a cat. The pet food optionally consists of the retorted material. The pet food optionally is low in lactose or lactose-free and optionally includes no added sugar relative to that in the material subjected to the retorting.

A method for using treated biochar to reduce the overall environmental impact of farming and minimize the carbon footprint of farms is provided. The method comprising engaging in one or more of the following practices: (1) combining treated biochar with feed or using biochar as feed for animals to reduce methane from enteric fermentation and increase animal health and nutrition; (2) combining treated biochar with compost, animal bedding or manure piles to reduce odor and increase nutrient retention; (3) applying treated biochar to lagoons to reduce odor and treat water; (4) applying treated biochar to pastures to increase pasture health; (5) applying treated biochar to crops to increase crop productivity, healthier roots and prevent fertilizer leaching; and (6) using the carbon negativity of a produced biochar to reduce the overall farm or ranch carbon footprint.

A method for using treated biochar to reduce the overall environmental impact of farming and minimize the carbon footprint of farms is provided. The method comprising engaging in one or more of the following practices: (1) combining treated biochar with feed or using biochar as feed for animals to reduce methane from enteric fermentation and increase animal health and nutrition; (2) combining treated biochar with compost, animal bedding or manure piles to reduce odor and increase nutrient retention; (3) applying treated biochar to lagoons to reduce odor and treat water; (4) applying treated biochar to pastures to increase pasture health; (5) applying treated biochar to crops to increase crop productivity, healthier roots and prevent fertilizer leaching; and (6) using the carbon negativity of a produced biochar to reduce the overall farm or ranch carbon footprint.

An apparatus for mixing and cutting animal feed including a container with a sidewall, a rotary mixing and cutting device positioned inside the container and arranged to be driven by a driving unit. At least one counter element is provided at the sidewall. The apparatus includes a positioning device for moving the counter element between a retracted position and an inserted position, and a control unit to control the positioning device of the counter element and arranged to determine an indication of the amount of instantaneous power consumed by the driving units for driving the rotary mixing and cutting device and to control positioning device based on the determined indication of the amount of instantaneous power.

An apparatus for mixing and cutting animal feed including a container with a sidewall, a rotary mixing and cutting device positioned inside the container and arranged to be driven by a driving unit. At least one counter element is provided at the sidewall. The apparatus includes a positioning device for moving the counter element between a retracted position and an inserted position, and a control unit to control the positioning device of the counter element and arranged to determine an indication of the amount of instantaneous power consumed by the driving units for driving the rotary mixing and cutting device and to control positioning device based on the determined indication of the amount of instantaneous power.