Feedstuffs for ruminants

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide feedstuffs for ruminants with high nutritional value capable of promoting rumination.According to the present invention, feedstuffs for ruminants containing a kraft pulp derived from a lignocellulosic material are provided, wherein the kraft pulp has a Canadian standard freeness of 400 ml or more.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A feed pellet for ruminants containing an oxygen-delignified kraft pulp derived from a wood material, wherein the kraft pulp has a kappa number of 5 to 15 and a Canadian standard freeness of 400 ml or more and 600 ml or less, wherein the wood material comprises hardwoods and/or softwoods, and wherein the feed pellet has a mechanical durability of 97.5% by mass or more. 
     
     
         12 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , which is prepared by a method comprising the steps of:
 beating the oxygen-delignified kraft pulp using a beater to the Canadian Standard Freeness of 400 ml or more and 600 ml or less;   controlling a moisture content of the oxygen-delignified kraft pulp to 15 to 35% by mass; and   pressing/compressing the kraft pulp having a moisture content of 15 to 35% by mass to obtain the feed pellet.   
     
     
         13 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the feed pellet has a length of 15 to 45 mm and a diameter of 3 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the kraft pulp has a kappa number of 7 to 13. 
     
     
         15 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the feed pellet has a water content of less than 15%. 
     
     
         16 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the wood material is essentially free of bamboo. 
     
     
         17 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the wood material comprises hardwoods having an average fiber length of 0.68 mm or more. 
     
     
         18 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the wood material comprises softwoods having an average fiber length of 1.50 mm or more. 
     
     
         19 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the wood material comprises Eucalyptus wood. 
     
     
         20 . The feed pellet of  claim 11 , wherein the wood material comprises Cryptomeria japonica wood. 
     
     
         21 . A method for feeding ruminants, comprising feeding to said ruminants the feed pellet of  claim 11 .