The present invention features animal feed comprising an effective amount of carotenoid-oxygen copolymer for use in methods for: (i) ameliorating one or more symptoms of subclinical mastitis; (ii) reducing the frequency of subclinical mastitis progressing to full clinical mastitis; (iii) reducing bacteria count in colostrum or milk of a mammal; (iv) reducing physiological stress of a mammal; (v) improving reproductive performance of a mammal; and/or (vi) improving the health of offspring of a mammal. The invention also features a method for producing pasteurized milk from a mammal which has been fed the animal feed supplemented with carotenoid-oxygen copolymer.

The present invention relates to bovine milk fat comprising, based on total fatty acid content, 8.9-29.0 wt % linoleic acid (C18:2 cis, 9,12), 0.9-2.4 wt % alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3 cis 9,12,15), and 3-5 wt % butyric acid (C4:0). The present invention further relates to a bovine milk comprising said milk fat and to a method for producing said milk by feeding a lactating bovine mammal with a rumen-protected linoleic acid source and a rumen-protected alpha-linolenic acid source, followed by milking the lactating bovine animal.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for improving reproductive health of mammals and increasing milk production from female mammals. The methods involve administering an effective amount of IL-8 to a female mammal such that the reproductive health of the mammal is improved, or milk production from the mammal is increased, or the fat content of the milk is increased. In another aspect the disclosure includes prophylaxis and/or therapy of uterine conditions by administering IL-8 to a female mammal.

The invention relates to pelleted ruminant feed, comprising, in pelleted or else subsequently re-crumbled form, a mixture of at least one solid particulate feed component with at least one rumen-unstable constituent which has been added to the mixture; to processes for their preparation and to their use in methods of altering the milk fat concentration.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for improving reproductive health of mammals and increasing milk production from female mammals. The methods involve administering an effective amount of IL-8 to a female mammal such that the reproductive health of the mammal is improved, or milk production from the mammal is increased, or the fat content of the milk is increased. In another aspect the disclosure includes prophylaxis and/or therapy of uterine conditions by administering IL-8 to a female mammal.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for improving reproductive health of mammals and increasing milk production from female mammals. The methods involve administering an effective amount of IL-8 to a female mammal such that the reproductive health of the mammal is improved, or milk production from the mammal is increased, or the fat content of the milk is increased. In another aspect the disclosure includes prophylaxis and/or therapy of uterine conditions by administering IL-8 to a female mammal.

The present invention relates to bovine milk fat comprising, based on total fatty acid content, 8.9-29.0 wt % linoleic acid (C18:2 cis, 9,12), 0.9-2.4 wt % alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3 cis 9,12,15), and 3-5 wt % butyric acid (C4:0). The present invention further relates to a bovine milk comprising said milk fat and to a method for producing said milk by feeding a lactating bovine mammal with a rumen-protected linoleic acid source and a rumen-protected alpha-linolenic acid source, followed by milking the lactating bovine animal.

Methods for using water-soluble salts of fatty acids alone, or in chosen combinations with chelating agents, antifreeze compounds, and water for improving the processing of feed materials including whole grains or finely-divided ingredients, which may contain grain, that are mechanically processed, are described. The fatty acid salts may be added to water or to steam prior to application to feed materials, and may be applied directly to the feed materials, or added to grain conditioners known in the art to improve their performance. Treated feed materials have improved lubricity, and thin, strong durable flakes having less bulk density, and durable hard pellets, may be generated with reduced fines. Addition of an anti-freeze material permits the resulting compositions to remain fluid under freezing conditions, while oxidation or spoilage, may be reduced by adding a chelating agent. The solutions are basic and are non-corrosive.

The invention relates to pelleted ruminant feed, comprising, in pelleted or else subsequently re-crumbled form, a mixture of at least one solid particulate feed component with at least one rumen-unstable constituent which has been added to the mixture; to processes for their preparation and to their use in methods of altering the milk fat concentration.