Feed pellets for ruminants

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide feedstuffs for ruminants with high nutritional value and high digestion efficiency. According to the present invention, feed pellets for ruminants containing a kraft pulp derived from a lignocellulosic material are provided, wherein the kraft pulp has a Canadian standard freeness of less than 400 ml.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A feed pellet for ruminants containing a kraft pulp derived from a wood material, wherein the kraft pulp has a Canadian standard freeness of less than 400 ml, wherein the wood material comprises hardwoods and/or softwoods, and wherein the pellet has a mechanical durability of 97.5% by mass or more and a water content of 15% by mass or less. 
     
     
         7 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , which is prepared by a method comprising the steps of:
 cooking the wood material under the conditions of H factor being 300 to 2000 to obtain the kraft pulp;   beating the kraft pulp using a beater to Canadian Standard Freeness of less than 400 mL;   pressing/compressing the kraft pulp having a moisture content of 15 to 35% by mass to obtain the pellet; and then   drying the pellet to a water content of less than 15%.   
     
     
         8 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the pellet has a mechanical durability of 98% by mass or more and a diameter of 3 to 10 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the kraft pulp comprises an oxygen-delignified kraft pulp having a kappa number of 5 to 13. 
     
     
         10 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the kraft pulp has a breaking length of 7.0 km or more. 
     
     
         11 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the wood material is essentially free of bamboo. 
     
     
         12 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the wood material consists essentially of hardwoods, softwoods, or both. 
     
     
         13 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the wood material comprises Eucalyptus wood. 
     
     
         14 . The feed pellet of  claim 6 , wherein the wood material comprises Cryptomeria japonica wood.