A method of treating or preventing a bacterial infection in an animal comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of an antibacterial peptide, the antibacterial peptide being derived from degraded date pits which are degraded by solid state degradation by a fungus, Trichoderma reesei. The antibacterial peptide has a molecular mass of less than 10 kDa and an amino acid sequence including (a) SEQ ID NO:4 or (b) SEQ ID NO:6. The bacterial infection is caused by a Gram-positive bacteria or a Gram-negative bacteria, for example, a Salmonella species, a Campylobacter species, a Shigella species, an Escherichia species, a Pseudomonas species, and a Staphylococcus species.

There is provided a pellet composition of ruminant feed which reduces the risk of acidosis in the rumen and a process of making such ruminant feed.

The invention relates to a method for enriching protists with lipids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in particular of the omega 3 (ω3) class, said method comprising the culture of protists in a culture medium comprising a selenium-containing compound as well as the protists enriched with lipids rich in PUFA obtained by this method. The invention also relates to a method for producing lipids rich in PUFA, comprising, after the enrichment method according to the invention, a method for treating the protists by extraction from the biomass of selenium-containing lipids rich in PUFA. The invention finally relates to any food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical product comprising either selenium-containing lipids thus extracted, or selenium-containing biomass originating from the enrichment method.

The invention relates to a feed additive comprising at least one nutrient, which non-nutrient is incorporated in a matrix, the entirety being encapsulated by a coating comprising at least a plant material whose saponification number is greater than 180.

The invention also deals with a method for preparing a feed additive.

Finally, the invention also relates to the use of the feed additive to improve the zootechnical performance of a ruminant.

A feed composition for ruminants may include feed particles that contain a saturated fatty acid component as well as a urease inhibitor such that ingestion of the feed by lactating ruminants may provide for an increase in the amount of milk produced by the ruminant and/or an increase in the fat content of the milk produced, and a decrease in ammonia production from breakdown of urea.

The present invention encompasses an effervescent Grape extract plus selenium composition which improves stress response. The invention also encompasses methods of improving stress response, such as stress response to vaccination or weaning, by administration of the composition. The invention also encompasses methods of producing meat with improved quality by raising an animal on a diet supplemented with an effervescent Grape extract plus selenium composition.

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.

Pulverulent compositions of a complex between an acid and a metal form an at least partially spherical particle. The acid is selected from 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoic acid (HMTBA), methionine, aspartic acid, the alginic acids, the pectinic acids, and the corresponding anions, in particular 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutanoate, methioninate, aspartate, the alginates and the pectinates. The metal is divalent or trivalent. The particle has an amorphous fraction the mass of which represents at least 50% of the total mass of the particle. The particle is substantially devoid of uncomplexed acid or anion and of uncomplexed metal or metal cation.

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having protease activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the proteases. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells, including plant and animal cells, comprising the nucleic acid sequences, as well as methods for producing and using the proteases, in particular the use of the proteases in animal feed.

A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.