Methods of feeding animals liquid feed with soluble fiber and sugar alcohol

Abstract

An animal feed such as a milk replacer includes a soluble fiber and a sugar alcohol. The milk replacer enhances weight gain, starter intake and reduces weaning time. The method of feeding the animal includes feeding a mixture of a soluble fiber and sugar alcohol. The animal feed may be used as a method of weaning young ruminants such as calves.

Claims

1. A method of weaning a young livestock animal, the method comprising: weaning the young animal with an aqueous solution, the aqueous solution including water and a powdered mixture of protein, fat and carbohydrates in an amount that mimics milk and soluble plant fiber and sorbitol dispersed therein, wherein the powdered mixture is fed to the young animal at 1.25 pounds to about 2.5 pounds per day on a dry weight basis, wherein in response to ingesting the aqueous solution, the animal increases a rate of weight gain, and wherein the animal decreases weaning time compared to weaning time of an animal fed the aqueous solution without sorbitol.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal consumes at least about 3 grams and up to 6 grams of the sorbitol per day.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal consumes at least approximately 6 grams of the soluble plant fiber per day.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal consumes up to approximately 16 grams of the soluble plant fiber per day.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal is a ruminant, a pig or a horse aged between 3 days and 59 days old.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal is a calf aged between 3 days and 59 days old.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein: the aqueous solution comprises a milk replacer; and weaning the animal with an aqueous solution includes weaning the animal with the aqueous solution and a starter feed.

8. A method of weaning a young livestock animal, comprising: weaning the young animal with an aqueous solution comprising water and a powdered mixture of protein, fat and carbohydrates in an amount that mimics milk and a soluble plant fiber and sorbitol, wherein the soluble plant fiber comprises at least approximately 0.53 percent of the powdered mixture on a dry weight basis, wherein the powdered mixture is fed to the animal at 1.25 pounds to about 2.5 pounds per day on a dry weight basis, wherein the animal consumes at least about 3 grams and up to 6 grams of sorbitol per day, and wherein the animal decreases weaning time compared to weaning time of an animal fed the aqueous solution without sorbitol.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the sorbitol is from approximately 0.26 percent of the powdered mixture on a dry weight basis.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the sorbitol is up to approximately 1.76 percent of the powdered mixture on a dry weight basis.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the soluble plant fiber is up to approximately 3.35 percent of the powdered mixture on a dry weight basis.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein: weaning the animal with an aqueous solution includes weaning the young animal with the aqueous solution and a starter feed; and the animal is aged between 3 days and 59 days old.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the soluble plant fiber is a powdered soluble plant fiber.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the animal ingests up to about 5 grams of the sorbitol on a dry weight basis.

15. A method of weaning a young animal, comprising: weaning the young animal with a daily ration of an aqueous solution comprising water and a powdered mixture of protein, fat and carbohydrates in an amount that mimics milk and soluble plant fiber and sorbitol dispersed therein, wherein the daily ration comprises 1.25 pounds to about 2.5 pounds of the powdered mixture on a dry weight basis, wherein the animal consuming the aqueous solution ingests at least approximately 6 grams of the soluble plant fiber and up to 6 grams of the sorbitol per day, and wherein the animal decreases weaning time compared to weaning time of an animal fed the aqueous solution without sorbitol.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the animal ingests at least about 3 grams of the sorbitol per day; weaning the animal with a daily ration of an aqueous solution includes weaning the animal with a daily ration of the aqueous solution and a starter feed; and the animal is aged between 3 days and 59 days old.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the animal ingests up to about 19 grams of the soluble plant fiber per day.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the soluble plant fiber comprises a powdered soluble plant fiber.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the animal ingests up to about 5 grams of the sorbitol per day.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(1) It has been found that an animal feed such as a calf milk replacer containing both a soluble fiber and a sugar alcohol enhances weight gain, starter intake, and reduces weaning time. In addition scour severity is also reduced. Calves fed an enhanced amount of milk replacer are especially benefited. Although the present invention has been found very suitable in weaning calves, the present invention is suitable for all livestock. By livestock is meant agricultural animals such as swine, horses and ruminants such as but not limited to cows, sheep and goats.

(2) Psyllium is the preferred soluble fiber used in the present invention. By soluble fiber is meant that part of plant foods that cannot be digested or absorbed and that readily disperses in an aqueous solution. Soluble fibers may include gums, hydrocolloides, most pectins, mucilages and some hemicelluloses. Psyllium is a hemicellulose. Preferably the psyllium should be in the form of a powder with a fine particle size. The fine particle size helps to disperse and maintain the particles of psyllium in solution and helps to enhance the rate of water absorption and the amount of water absorbed by the psyllium. The psyllium is preferably fed at approximately 16 grams per day and preferably at least approximately 6 grams per day and up to approximately 19 grams per day. The use of psyllium above 19 grams per day may still have the effect of the present invention but usage above 19 grams per day is less effective.

(3) In the specific embodiment described herein, the psyllium is fed to a calf as a component of a milk replacer. The milk replacer is fed at an enhanced rate to the calf. Preferably, the enhanced feeding rate for the milk replacer is at least about 1.5 pounds of the milk replacer per day based on the dry weight of the milk replacer during the pre-weaning period.

(4) Sugar alcohols useful in the present invention include adonitol; allitol; altritol (D-altritol, L-altritol, and D,L altritol); arabinitol (D-arabinitol, L-arabinitol, and D,L arabinitol); dulcitol (a.k.a galactitol); erythritol; galaxitol; glucitol (D-glucitol, L-glucitol, and D,L glucitol); glycerol; iditol (D-iditol and L-iditol); inositol; isomalt; lactitol; maltitol; mannitol (D-mannitol, L-mannitol, and D,L mannitol); perseitol; ribitol; rhamnitol; sorbitol; threitol (D-threitol, L-threitol, and D,L threitol); and xylitol. These sugar alcohols may be provided in any combination. All such sugar alcohols in combination with psyllium have the effect of the present invention. Preferably sorbitol is used due to its relative low cost in relation to the other sugar alcohols. Sorbitol was preferably fed at a rate of approximately 5 to 6 grams per day along with the amounts of psyllium discussed previously. Sorbitol is consumed preferably at least approximately 3 grams per day to have an effect and up to approximately 8 grams per day. Amounts of sorbitol ten grams and over per day were found not to have the same effect as the present invention. Therefore, it is preferred for the animals to consume approximately less than 10 g per day.

(5) The sugar alcohol(s) is fed to the calf as a component of the milk replacer. The milk replacer includes the animal feed of the present invention such as the milk replacer is made by adding the sugar alcohol into the dry milk replacer (containing psyllium). The milk replacer (now containing the sugar alcohol and psyllium) is then hydrated by the farmer or rancher for feeding to the calf.

(6) The method of the present invention is described in the following example. This example is provided as an illustration of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

EXAMPLE

(7) A total of 56 calves were provided with the milk replacer of the present invention in three separate trials. The sugar alcohol used in these trials was sorbitol. The calf milk replacer (CMR) used was Cow's Match from Land O'Lakes, Inc of Arden Hills, Minn. Cow's Match contains approximately 1.38% psyllium. The results from the three trials were combined and are set forth below in Tables 1 through 4. The procedures followed in all three trials were similar.

(8) The calves used in the trials were approximately 3 to 10 days old at the trial's initiation. Each calf was weighed initially upon arrival and weekly thereafter. Other performance parameters were determined on a daily basis.

(9) As Table 1 set forth below indicates, a significant gain in weight occurred in the calves in periods 1 and 2. These periods correspond to the first two weeks of the trials. In addition to the first two periods, the total weight gain for the seven periods for calves fed Cow's Match with sorbitol showed approximately 7.9% greater increase over the calves not fed the sorbitol.

(10) There was also a significantly greater starter intake by the calves fed Cow's Match with sorbitol in periods 2 through 5. Total starter intake by calves fed Cow's Match with sorbitol was 17.7% greater than calves not fed sorbitol. This was also statistically significant.

(11) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Cow's Cow's Match Match (CMR) Item (CMR) w/Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. 1 2 No. of Calves 56 56 Initial Wt., lbs. 104.85 104.46 0.6418 4.28 Initial Ig.sup.B 3.75 3.91 0.4341 28.28 Avg. Period Gain, lbs. Period.sup.C 1 2.47 4.65 0.0085 121.09 2 7.69 9.79 0.0418 61.61 3 12.70 12.86 0.7933 25.34 4 12.44 12.67 0.7075 26.02 5 13.49 14.14 0.2317 20.70 6 15.17 16.60 0.0188 20.01 7 14.36 13.80 0.5754 37.56 Total 78.32 84.51 0.0248 17.69 Avg. Period CMR Consumption, lbs..sup.D (DM Basis) Period 1 10.46 10.77 0.2886 14.84 2 15.10 15.91 0.0840 15.91 3 16.82 16.88 0.7911 7.32 4 17.39 17.32 0.5502 3.63 5 17.42 17.39 0.8148 3.34 6 17.45 17.49 0.1914 1.06 7 8.75 8.74 0.3195 0.34 Total 103.37 104.51 0.2209 4.70 Avg. Period Starter Intake.sup.E, lbs. (DM Basis) Period 1 0.45 0.62 0.1941 123.58 2 0.91 1.30 0.0131 75.27 3 1.65 2.27 0.0122 65.84 4 2.81 3.71 0.0102 56.06 5 4.16 5.30 0.0107 48.79 6 6.74 7.99 0.0519 45.43 7 15.02 16.17 0.2619 34.64 Total 31.74 37.35 0.0283 38.65 Average Feed: 1.75 1.71 0.2844 10.57 Gain.sup.F .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BGram% as measured by Zinc Sulfate Turbidity and assigned to 1 of 5 ranges: 0.00-0.49, 0.50-0.99, 1.00-1.49, 1.50-2.49, and 2.50 or higher. .sup.CSeven day duration. .sup.DCalves were fed 0.9 lbs. CMR/feeding days 1-7, then 1.25 lbs. CMR/feeding days 7-49. CMR twice a day through day 42, then once a day through day 49. .sup.EIntense Calf Diet 22 B60, 60 g/ton lasalocid (Land O'Lakes, Inc., Arden Hills, MN). .sup.FAverage feed: gain is the amount of feed intake divided by the weight gain of each individual calf. The individual values summed and then averaged. Bold face type indicates a difference of P < 0.05.

(12) The calves fed Cow's Match with sorbitol showed a significant decrease in period 1 in severity of scours (scour score), and the number of scour days experienced. Data was grouped and considered for the first two weeks (first two periods) since scouring is most prevalent in the first two weeks. Scour severity was significantly reduced in the first two weeks for the calves consuming psyllium with sorbitol as compared to the calves not being fed sorbitol.

(13) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Cow's Cow's Match Match (CMR) Item (CMR) w/Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. 1 2 Avg. Period Scour Score.sup.B Period.sup.C 1 1.86 1.61 0.0021 24.26 2 1.61 1.56 0.5583 27.61 3 1.10 1.09 0.7919 18.63 4 1.05 1.04 0.6900 11.29 5 1.02 1.04 0.1732 8.63 6 1.00 1.00 0.0000 0.00* 7 1.00 1.01 0.1563 1.89 Avg. 2 wk 1.73 1.58 0.0286 21.51 Avg. 7 wk 1.23 1.19 0.0919 10.63 Avg. Period Scour Days.sup.D Period 1 4.43 3.25 0.0018 50.67 2 3.41 3.30 0.8030 67.53 3 0.66 0.61 0.8305 208.36 4 0.36 0.29 0.6420 252.20 5 0.11 0.27 0.1732 330.88 6 0.00 0.00 0.0000 0.00* 7 0.00 0.04 0.1563 741.50 Total 2 wk 7.84 6.55 0.0515 48.02 Total 7 wk 8.96 7.75 0.1764 56.50 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BScour Score = 1-4 scale; 1 = normal, 2-loose, 3 = water separation, 4 = 3 with severe dehydration. .sup.CSeven day duration. .sup.DTotal days with a scour score of 2 or greater *No differences due to no variations within treatments. Bold face type indicates a difference of P < 0.05.

(14) Although not significantly different, the calves fed sorbitol with psyllium as indicated in Table 3 below had a 15.9 percent improvement in respiratory score compared with calves not fed sorbitol but only psyllium.

(15) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Cow's Cow's Match Match (CMR) Item (CMR) w/Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. 1 2 Avg. Period Respiratory Scores.sup.B Period.sup.C 1 0.36 0.14 0.2119 361.24 2 1.50 1.13 0.3288 154.12 3 1.45 1.07 0.3263 159.86 4 1.27 1.23 0.9260 162.34 5 1.54 1.29 0.5551 158.41 6 0.71 0.54 0.4948 220.73 7 0.36 0.64 0.3100 296.47 Total 7.18 6.04 0.3215 91.91 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BRespiratory scores = 1 respiratory day for each day antibiotic given for respiratory infections. .sup.CSeven day duration.

(16) As indicated in Table 4 below, a statistically significant greater amount of calves fed sorbitol with psyllium were weaned by day 28. Specifically, five times as many of these calves could have been weaned by day 28 employing the LOL Research Farm criteria as indicated in row 1 of Table 4.

(17) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Cow's Cow's Match Item Match w/Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. 1 2 Avg. Period Weaning Scores.sup.B LOLRF.sup.C 28.sup.F 4 20 0.0076 269.55 35.sup.G 25 38 0.1563 148.30 42.sup.H 63 77 0.1019 65.81 49.sup.I 98 98 1.0000 13.61 IC.sup.D 28 0 4 0.1563 741.50 35 5 9 0.4676 362.94 42 20 38 0.0367 156.40 49 91 95 0.4676 27.92 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BWeaning Scores = 0-1 scale; 0 = not weaned, 1 = weaned. .sup.CLand O'Lakes Research Farm Criteria = calf assumed weaned when 1.0 lb of dry feed consumed for 2 consecutive days. .sup.DIndustry Criteria = calf assumed weaned when 1.5 lbs dry feed consumed for 3 consecutive days. .sup.FPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 28. .sup.GPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 35. .sup.HPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 42. .sup.IPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 49. Bold face type indicates a difference of P < 0.05.

(18) A further trial was ran to determine what effect sorbitol without a dietary fiber would have on calves fed an intensified diet of calf milk replacer. Forty-six three to ten day old Holstein bull calves weighing approximately 90 to 100 pounds were fed an intensified diet of calf milk replacer. Twenty-four calves were fed a calf milk replacer without psyllium and without sorbitol and twenty-two calves were fed calf milk replacer without psyllium but with sorbitol. The latter 24 calves were fed 6 grams each per day of sorbitol.

(19) As Table 5 set forth below shows, there was no statistically significant difference in total weight gain, calf milk replacer consumption, starter feed intake and average feed:gain (feed efficiency) between those calves fed no sorbitol and those calves fed 6 g per day of sorbitol.

(20) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Cow's Match Cow's (CMR) Match With 6.0 g Item (CMR) Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. Treatments 1 2 No. of Calves 24 22 Initial Weight, lbs. 107.51 107.63 0.8953 2.94 Initial Ig.sup.B 3.13 3.00 0.6949 34.99 Avg. Period Gain, lbs. Period.sup.C 1 1.27 2.96 0.2049 214.98 2 9.23 9.28 0.9645 42.79 3 12.70 11.40 0.2602 31.97 4 12.62 12.78 0.8840 29.28 5 13.82 13.28 0.5484 22.09 6 14.72 14.34 0.5902 16.34 7 12.22 12.55 0.8093 37.61 Total 76.57 76.60 0.9951 20.54 Avg. Period CMR Consumption, lbs..sup.D (DM Basis) Period 1 10.55 10.69 0.8012 16.65 2 14.28 14.47 0.7771 16.18 3 16.77 15.94 0.1509 11.72 4 17.18 16.48 0.2019 10.88 5 17.20 17.09 0.7147 5.88 6 17.39 17.24 0.4526 3.69 7 8.75 8.75 0.0000 0.00* Total 102.11 100.65 0.4807 6.83 Avg. Period Starter Intake.sup.E, lbs. (DM Basis) Period 1 0.47 0.50 0.8387 98.31 2 1.19 1.08 0.6588 72.16 3 2.14 1.95 0.5577 53.11 4 3.44 3.14 0.5409 51.31 5 4.86 4.56 0.6475 46.82 6 6.90 6.80 0.9175 46.33 7 14.27 15.08 0.5922 34.49 Total 33.28 33.11 0.9653 39.43 Average Feed: Gain 1.80 1.79 0.8771 12.31 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BGram% as measured by Zinc Sulfate Turbidity and assigned to 1 of 5 ranges: 0.00-0.49, 0.50-0.99, 1.00-1.49, 1.50-2.49, and 2.50 or higher. .sup.CSeven day duration. .sup.DCalves were fed 0.9 lbs. CMR/feeding days 1-7, then 1.25 lbs. CMR/feeding days 7-49. CMR was fed twice a day through day 42, then once a day through day 49. .sup.EIntense Calf Diet 22 B60, 60 grams per ton lasalocid, (Willmar, MN). *No differences, due to no variation within treatments.

(21) As Table 6 indicates, there was no statistically significant different between the scour score or scoured days for those calves fed 6 g of sorbitol per day and those calves fed with no sorbitol.

(22) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Cow's Cow's Match (CMR) Match With 6.0 g Item (CMR) Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. Treatments 1 2 Avg. Period Scour Score.sup.B Period.sup.C 1 1.80 1.83 0.7396 16.95 2 1.45 1.53 0.3471 19.90 3 1.10 1.09 0.6891 13.33 4 1.09 1.05 0.4408 15.16 5 1.00 1.03 0.3015 8.29 6 1.00 1.00 0.0000 0.00* 7 1.00 1.00 0.0000 0.00* Avg. 2 wk 1.62 1.68 0.3905 13.43 Avg. 7 wk 1.20 1.22 0.6240 6.87 Avg. Period Scour Days.sup.D Period 1 4.71 4.91 0.6703 33.03 2 2.96 3.32 0.4975 56.93 3 0.67 0.55 0.6860 165.75 4 0.63 0.36 0.4396 227.07 5 0.00 0.18 0.3015 677.53 6 0.00 0.00 0.0000 0.00* 7 0.00 0.00 0.0000 0.00* Total 2 wk 7.67 8.23 0.4596 32.09 Total 7 wk 8.96 9.32 0.7289 38.29 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BScour Score = 1-4 scale; 1 = normal, 2 = loose, 3 = water separation, 4 = 3 with severe dehydration. .sup.CSeven day duration. .sup.DTotal days with a scour score of 2 or greater *No differences, due to no variation within treatments.

(23) As Table 7 and 8 set forth below indicate, there was no statistically significant difference between respiratory scores and weaning scores for those calves fed 6 g per day of sorbitol and those calves not fed any sorbitol.

(24) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Cow's Cow's Match (CMR) Match With 6.0 g Item (CMR) Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. Treatments 1 2 Avg. Period Respiratory Scores.sup.B Period.sup.C 1 0.92 1.05 0.8227 197.83 2 1.00 1.05 0.9381 192.92 3 1.04 1.82 0.2171 148.69 4 2.42 1.82 0.4284 119.06 5 1.17 0.77 0.4367 173.80 6 0.25 0.77 0.2180 283.43 7 0.21 0.00 0.3440 678.88 Total 7.00 7.27 0.8851 89.16 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BRespiratory scores = 1 respiratory day for each day antibiotic given for respiratory infections. .sup.CSeven day duration.

(25) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Cow's Cow's Match (CMR) Match With 6.0 g Item (CMR) Sorbitol.sup.A P-value C.V. Treatments 1 2 Avg. Period Weaning Scores.sup.B LOLRF.sup.C 28.sup.E 25 5 0.0554 231.37 35.sup.F 46 32 0.3416 126.21 42.sup.G 54 73 0.2009 76.83 49.sup.H 100 100 0.0000 0.00* IC.sup.D 28 0 0 0.0000 0.00* 35 0 5 0.3015 677.53 42 29 27 0.8898 162.87 49 83 91 0.4572 39.35 .sup.AFrom Neosorb 70/20 (70% active ingredient sorbitol) Roquette America, Gurnee, IL. .sup.BWeaning Scores = 0-1 scale; 0 = not weaned, 1 = weaned. .sup.CLand O'Lakes Research Farm Criteria = calf assumed weaned when 1.0 lb of dry feed consumed for 2 consecutive days. .sup.DIndustry Criteria = calf assumed weaned when 1.5 lbs dry feed consumed for 3 consecutive days. .sup.EPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 28. .sup.FPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 35. .sup.GPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 42. .sup.HPercentage of calves assumed weaned by day 49. *No differences, due to no variation within treatments.

(26) Data for parameters presented in the Tables above was analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) statistical procedure of SAS. Statistical analysis software for a randomized complete block design that included both the particular feed regimen and the week of the test period in the model statement. The SAS statistical analysis software is available from SAS Institute, Inc. of Cary, N.C. Additionally, all data was analyzed to determine the mean of the data for each variable under consideration during the collection period for the particular data.

(27) Additionally, the PDiff function of the GLM statistical procedure was used to characterize the mean values of the data by providing for comparisons between mean data values for the calves of different treatments for particular test parameters or variables.

(28) P used in the Tables above is a probability value. For purposes of comparing data in this document, P values of 0.10, or lower, are considered to be statistically significant. Thus, where a P value of 0.10 or less is returned for a particular variable, it is assumed that the differing results are fully explained by the test regimen, i.e. the presence or lack of sorbitol.

(29) Also, the Tables include a coefficient of variation (CV) for data in a particular row. The coefficient of variation is the standard deviation of a particular variable divided by the mean of the variable and then multiplied by 100.

(30) Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.