Compositions and processes for providing amino acids and carbohydrates in ruminant feed

Abstract

Methods and compositions for improved ruminant diets are disclosed. The invention relates to the use of metal ion/metal ion salts in ruminant feed, at levels from about 0.25 to about 1 g/kg dry matter, in any ruminant diet, for improvement of bypass protein content, as well as to influence the rate of rumen starch digestion and the flow of starch to the duodenum.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved animal feed composition comprising an animal feed containing one or more metal ion(s) or metal salt(s) at a concentration of from about 0.25 gram to about 1 gram per Kilogram of feed dry matter.  
     
     
         2 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1  wherein the one or more metal ion(s) or metal salt(s) are selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, and ferrous iron, or water soluble salts thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The animal feed composition of  claim 1  wherein the feed dry matter is selected from the group consisting of meal dry matter or forage dry matter.  
     
     
         4 . A ruminant diet formulation comprising the animal feed composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . A process for the improvement of the productive efficiency of a ruminant diet, the process comprising providing to a ruminant a diet comprising an animal feed comprising one or more metal(s) or metal salt(s) at a concentration of from about 0.25 gram to about 1 gram per Kilogram meal dry matter.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein the one or more metal(s) or metal salt(s) are selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, and ferrous iron, or water soluble salts thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A process for making an improved animal feed composition, the process comprising adding to the animal feed composition an amount of one or more metal(s) or metal salt(s) to give a final concentration of from about 0.25 gram to about 1 gram per Kilogram meal dry matter.