FEEDING METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR YOUNG LIVESTOCK ANIMALS USING SENSORY COMPOUNDS

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Feeding methods and systems provide sensory compounds such as botanicals and essential oils to young animals. Particularly, sensory compounds may reduce feed refusal and variation in feed intake in young livestock animals, which may result in a more consistent consumption of energy and protein and may increase growth.

Background

[0002] Livestock animals are typically considered a commodity and are raised to produce food products including milk and beef. The time it takes livestock animals to mature, particularly to gain weight, is important when assessing whether the animal is ready to produce milk or is ready for market. A number of feeding systems have been used to enhance weight gain of livestock animals, and may include feeding techniques prior to and after weaning. Such techniques may involve providing supplements and additives to milk replacer or calf starter, which may include vitamins or medications. For example, abstract 316 in Crews et al., Journal of Animal Science, 2012, 90(3/J) page 116 describes the effect of essential oil/botanical product on performance and health of calves. This may, for example, reduce the age of a dairy cow at freshening and the onset of lactation, thereby reducing the cost of milk production. Increased weight gain of the livestock animal from an early age may also reduce the cost of beef production.

[0003] Therefore, a concern for producers is whether the livestock animals are receiving adequate nutrients. When the livestock animals refuse feed, intake is decreased, which may be problematic from both the standpoint of the health of the animal and to the cost of milk or beef production. Differences in feed intake by animals impact rate of weight gain and ultimately body size. Smaller animals are more difficult to adequately manage due to their specific housing, dietary and husbandry needs.

[0004] Although various feeding systems have been practiced to enhance weight gain, these feeding systems, as well as feeding techniques that employ these feed systems, have not optimized methods for increasing the rate and uniformity of weight gain by the livestock animals. Accordingly, producers are in need of new approaches to feeding livestock animals that enhance weight gain rates in ruminants and/or increase the feed efficiency of ruminants.

Summary

[0005] Feeding systems for young livestock animals, such as calves, combine sensory compounds, e.g., including botanicals and essential oils, with milk replacers, starter feeds, or both. It has been found that the sensory compounds reduce feed refusal and enhance uniformity of feed intake, which may thereby provide nutritional and health benefits to the young animals.

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of feeding a young animal for reducing the young animal's feed refusal of a milk replacer, the method comprising: providing sensory compounds in the milk replacer, wherein the sensory compounds comprise an active ingredient of one or more of licorice, anise and fennel, the active ingredient accounting for at least 60 percent of the sensory compounds; and providing the mixture to the young animal, wherein the milk replacer is fed at a rate of at least 0.34 kilograms (0.75 pounds) on a dry basis per day and up to 1.13 kilograms (2.5 pounds) on a dry basis per day, and the sensory compounds are consumed at a rate of at least 0.17 grams per day and up to about 2.25 grams per day.

[0007] In another implementation which is not within the literal scope of the claims, reducing feed variation in a group of young animals involves feeding the group of young animals an effective amount of sensory compounds that includes a licorice root sensory compound, which is contained in a milk replacer and/or a starter feed such that the young animals reduce feed variation compared to a group of young animals fed the milk replacer and/or the starter feed but without the sensory compounds.

[0008] In yet another implementation which is not within the literal scope of the claims, reducing feed refusal in a young livestock animal involves feeding the young animal an effective amount of sensory compounds including a botanical product and/or an essential oil in a milk replacer and/or a starter feed such that the young animal reduces feed refusal compared to a young animal fed the milk replacer and/or the starter feed but without the sensory compounds.

Detailed Description

[0009] Implementations provide milk replacers and starter feeds combined with sensory compounds that may result in reduced feed refusal and enhanced uniformity of feed intake in young livestock animals. Generally, a fixed amount of milk replacer is offered to the livestock animal per day during a milk feeding phase and during a weaning phase. Some livestock animals do not ingest the full quantity of this fixed, offered amount. This may lead to health problems and a lower rate of weight gain. Depending on the severity of feed refusal, the livestock animal may potentially experience weight loss or death. Further, because young animals are offered fixed amounts of feed on a daily basis, the time to recover from nutrient loss may take longer compared to mature livestock animals having ad libitum access to feed (e.g., grasses and forage). Variation in animal growth caused by any reason can negatively impact optimal use of facilities and livestock management skills. More uniform intake of nutrients across the group of animals, reduces variation in growth, and thus enhances management's ability to provide for livestock animals.

[0010] Reduced feed refusal in young animals is important for several reasons. For example, with reduced feed refusal, the animal exhibits a more consistent consumption of energy and protein. These nutrients support maintenance, immune function and growth. For this reason, intake is important during the first several weeks of life. Another reason reduced feed refusal is desirable is that the growth of weaning and recently weaned animals is important for the overall growth and development of the animal. Thus, it becomes important for producers to ensure the livestock animals reduce their feed refusal throughout the first several weeks of life, and particularly during weaning and shortly after weaning. Also with reduced feed refusal, less feed may lose condition and require disposal.

[0011] It has been discovered that young livestock animals fed sensory compounds in milk replacers and dry feed exhibit reduced feed refusal, resulting in an increased weight gain compared to livestock animals ingesting the same feed but without the sensory compounds. In addition, the reduced refusal may result in enhanced consistency of feed intake across the group of animals.

[0012] Sensory compounds as used herein may provide one or more of flavors, odors and textures imparted by botanical products, essential oils and other sensory inducing components. For example, the sensory compounds may be formed of a mixture of one or more of botanical products; essential oils; herbs; spices; extracts; and natural flavors. Botanical products may be concentrated or isolated substance obtained from one or more plants and may have the odor and taste of the plant from which the botanical product is derived. Essential oils may be natural oils, such as volatile oils containing terpenes, obtained by distillation and may have the characteristic odor, flavor or both, of the plant or other source from which the oil is derived. Extracts, such as vanilla extract, may be included as a flavor and/or an odor compound or the compound may be the raw material from which the extract is derived. In some implementations, Davana oil; witch-hazel extracts (e.g., Hamamelis virginiana); Juglans oil (e.g., walnut oil); Quercus cortex (oak); and Vanille planfolia (e.g., vanilla) oils and extracts or combinations thereof may be included in the sensory compounds. In some implementations, the sensory compounds may include peptides.

[0013] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, licorice, anise, or fennel, or combinations thereof, may provide a primary or active ingredient in the sensory compounds. In some implementations, the primary ingredient may account for 60 to 100 percent of the sensory compounds, and preferably at least about 85 percent. In addition, other active ingredients may account for the balance of the sensory compounds and can include vanilla, vanillin, Fiori di Sicilia, maple, cinnamon, cassia, mint, spearmint, wintergreen, cumin, thyme, caraway, caraway thyme, coriander, hyperici (e.g., St. John's wort), caproic acid (n-hexanoic acid), caprylic acid, capric acid, 1,4 -octanolactone, and butyric acid in various combinations. For example, the active ingredients may include, but are not limited to, a combination of licorice root and vanillin sensory compounds or substantial flavor equivalents (e.g., anise or fennel may be a flavor equivalent to licorice root; and vanilla, Fiori di Sicilia or maple may be equivalent to vanillin). In addition, constituent essential oils found in the aforementioned sensory compounds may be used. For example, carvone and/or limonene essential oils are constituent essential oils to caraway, and may be included in the sensory compound mixture. Further, other flavorants produced to mimic the aforementioned sensory compound components are contemplated in accordance with the present disclosure. The sensory compounds may be provided in any form such as liquid (e.g., oil) or dry (e.g., powder) form.

[0014] Sensory compounds may account for about 0.05 to about 0.20 weight percent or more of the total weight of the feed offered to the animal, the total weight of the milk replacer offered to the animal or the total weight dry feed offered to the animal. In some implementations, sensory compounds may be ingested by the livestock animals in milk replacer at a rate of about 0.17 grams per day; about 0.34 grams per day; about 0.68 grams per day; and about 2.25 grams per day.. In one aspect, the sensory compounds ingested by the animals, range from about 0.17 grams per day to about 2.25 grams per day. When sensory compounds are additionally ingested by the young animal in dry feed, sensory compounds may be ingested at a rate of about 0.025 grams per day up to about 2.64 grams per day; or at a rate of about 0.025 grams per day up to about 5.30 grams per day. When sensory compounds are ingested by the young animal in both milk replacers and starter feed, sensory compounds may be ingested from about 0.20 grams per day up to about 16.8 grams per day. The amount of sensory compounds fed to the animal may be divided based on the number of feedings the animal receives per day. For example, when the animal is fed milk replacer twice per day and receives a daily amount of sensory compounds at a rate of about 0.34 grams per day, the animal may receive about 0.17 grams of sensory compounds per feeding.

[0015] The types of feed that may be mixed with the sensory compounds according to the implementations provided herein may include milk replacers including traditional milk replacers and alternative protein milk replacers as well as dry feed such as starter feed. The milk replacers may include about, at least about or up to about 10 percent fat; about, at least about or up to about 15 percent fat; between about 10 percent fat and about 15 percent fat; up to about 20 percent fat; or up to about 30 percent fat. Protein in the milk replacer may be about, at least about or up to about 20 percent protein; about, at least about or up to about 25 percent protein; or between about 20 percent and 25 percent or 30 percent protein. Alternative protein milk replacers (e.g., non-milk protein milk replacers) may contain soy protein. The sensory compounds may be added to the dry, powdered milk replacer and hydrated with water.

[0016] In additional implementations, dry feed such as starter feed may be mixed with the sensory compounds. Starter feeds generally include protein sources at about 18 to about 22 weight percent of the total weight of the feed. In some implementations, the starter feed that may include the sensory compound may include a mixture of one or more of corn; soybean meal; wheat middlings; oats; molasses; fat; ground cotton seed hulls; distillers grains; calcium carbonate; salt; and macronutrients and micronutrients. The starter feed may include about 0.05 up to about 0.5 weight percent of sensory compounds along with about 45 to 50 percent coarse ingredients (e.g., corn, soy and oats); about 20 percent protein; about 2 to 3 percent fat; about 5 to 6 percent fiber (determined on a NIR basis); about 7 percent acid detergent fiber; about 6 percent molasses; and the balance including a mixture of other nutrients.

[0017] In some implementations, the young livestock animal may receive the sensory compounds during one of more of a milk feeding phase, a dry feed phase and a weaning phase. The milk feeding phase ("MFP") is the period when milk replacer, whole milk or a combination of milk and milk replacer is fed to the young animal. Dry feed may be fed during the MFP, however, the dry feed phase is the time period after the MFP when only dry feed (e.g., starter feed) is fed. Typically, the last week of the MFP is the weaning phase, which is the period when young livestock are encouraged to consume only dry feed. The MFP may correspond to the first 42 to 49 days from birth with the weaning phase comprising a portion of this period, described below. The dry feed phase comprised of starter feeding may last from about 42 days to about 84 days from birth.

[0018] As set forth above, the sensory compound-supplemented milk replacer may be offered to the young animal during the MFP or portions thereof (e.g., prior to or during the weaning phase). In some implementations, the milk replacer mixed with sensory compounds may be fed at a rate of 1.5 pounds (680g) per day (e.g., 0.75 pounds (340g) per feeding) on a dry weight basis. This amount may be fed during the MFP, and at a rate of 0.75 pounds (340g) per day (e.g., at a single feeding) for example during the weaning phase. In additional or alternative implementations, milk replacer may be provided at about 1.8 pounds (820g) per day on a dry weight basis for an initial time period of the MFP lasting about 7 days, about 2.5 pounds (1.13kg) per day on a dry weight basis for a next time period of the MFP extending from days 8 to 42 thereafter, and about 1.25 pounds (570g) per day on a dry weight basis for a further time period extending from days 43 to 49, such as during the weaning phase. During all or a portion of the time the animal receives milk replacer, the animals may be offered dry feed.

[0019] During the weaning phase, e.g., during the last several days of the milk feeding phase, sensory compounds may be provided in the feed provided to the young livestock animal. The weaning phase may be about 7 days long; about 14 days long; between about 7 and about 14 days; or for any integer-bounded time range falling between 1 day and 14 days in length. For example, during the weaning phase, the animal may ingest sensory compounds in milk replacer at a rate of about 0.17 grams per day to about 5.75 grams per day. This may be a reduced rate compared to the about 0.34 to the about 11.50 grams per day that may be provided during a first portion of the MFP described above, and the reduced rate may correspond to a reduced level of milk replacer offered to the animal during weaning. For example, the young livestock animal may transition from a diet of liquid feed (e.g., calf milk replacer) to a diet of dry feed (e.g., calf starter) and may receive a single feeding of the liquid feed with added sensory compounds per day. In this example, the animal may ingest the same amount of sensory compounds per feeding of milk replacer as the first time period, but receives only one feeding per day. During the weaning phase, in another example, the animal may ingest sensory compounds in dry feed, alone or in combination with sensory compounds in milk replacer.

[0020] In some implementations, dry feed combined with sensory compounds may be offered to the young livestock animal for one or more of at least a portion of the MFP, throughout the MFP including the weaning period, and during the dry feed phase. In some cases, the young animal may be expected to ingest an increasing amount of dry feed during the MFP or during the weaning phase portion of the MFP, and may be offered increasing amounts of dry feed during the transition from a milk replacer diet to a starter diet. In some implementations, during the MFP, the young animal may ingest sensory compounds only in the milk replacer. In further implementations, during the dry feed phase, the young animal may ingest only dry feed with sensory compounds mixed therein.

[0021] By feeding young livestock animals sensory compounds in combination with the milk replacers (e.g., both traditional and alternative protein); sensory compounds in combination with starters (e.g., dry feed formulated for animals transitioning from weaning to a dry matter diet); or both, the animals may reduce feed refusal and intake variation of the milk replacer, dry matter or both, respectively. In addition, with respect to milk replacers, feed refusals and feed intake variation may be reduced at different feeding rates, e.g., at the 1.5/0.75 pound (680/340g) per day rate and at the 1.8/2.5/1.25 pound (816/1134/567g) per day rate described above. With respect to starters, sensory compounds added to starter feed, such as calf starter, may result in reduced feed refusal and feed intake variation.

[0022] In some implementations, feeding sensory compounds with milk replacers may result in reduced feed refusal and feed intake variation of milk replacers compared to other young animals (i.e., young animals of a similar age, starting weight and frame size as the animal ingesting sensory compounds) fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.

[0023] In further implementations which are not within the literal scope of the claims, feeding sensory compounds with dry feed may result in reduced feed refusal and feed intake variation of dry feed. For example, young animals, such as weaning animals, may receive dry feed with sensory compounds and may exhibit a reduced feed refusal and feed intake variation of dry feed compared other young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.

[0024] In additional or alternative implementations, a young animal may receive milk replacer with sensory compounds for a portion of the MFP, and during weaning, may be offered milk replacer without sensory compounds in combination with dry feed combined with sensory compounds. In this implementation, the young animals receiving the sensory compounds may reduce feed refusal and feed intake variation of the feed components including sensory compounds compared to young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. For example, the young animals ingesting the sensory compounds may reduce feed refusal of milk replacer during the MFP compared to young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. During and after weaning, for example, the young animals ingesting the sensory compounds in the dry feed may reduce feed refusal and intake variation of dry feed, compared to young animals fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds. In this example, the reduced feed refusal of dry feed during weaning may be desirable when the animal is transitioning away from the weaning stage (i.e., transitioning away from a diet of liquid feed).

[0025] In yet further implementations, a young animal may receive sensory compounds simultaneously in milk replacer and dry feed. In this implementation, the young animal receiving the sensory compounds may reduce feed refusal of both milk replacer and dry feed compared to a young animal fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds.

[0026] In still further implementations , a young animal may receive sensory compounds in milk replacer, or milk replacer and dry feed, but the amount of sensory compounds may be tapered or increased from one feed, and when fed in both feeds, the amount of sensory compounds in the other feed may be tapered, increased or may remain the same. For example, a young animal may be encouraged to reduce feed refusal of dry feed by adding sensory compounds or increasing the amount of sensory compounds in the dry feed. The young animal may exhibit a reduced feed refusal compared to a young animal fed the same diet but without the sensory compounds or with the sensory compounds at the initially administered level. In this example, milk replacer may not contain sensory compounds, or when sensory compounds are provided in milk replacer, the level of sensory compounds may remain the same, may be reduced, or may be increased. In another example, a young animal receiving sensory compounds in milk replacer may be encouraged to further reduce feed refusal of milk replacer by increasing the amount of sensory compounds in the milk replacer. In this example, the young animal may reduce feed refusal of milk replacer compared to a young animal fed the same diet but with the sensory compounds at the initially administered level. In a further example, a young animal, such as an animal experiencing distress (e.g., scours) may be encouraged to reduce feed refusal of one or both of milk replacer and dry feed, and the amount of sensory compounds may be increased in one or both types of feed.

[0027] Feeding young animals sensory compounds may reduce feed refusal as well as reduce weaning time, increase weight gain, improve feed efficiency, and combinations thereof, compared to animals receiving the same feed without sensory compounds. Further, feeding young animals sensory compounds may reduce feed variation across a group of young animals, which may enhance management's ability to satisfy housing, dietary and husbandry needs of the group of livestock animals.

[0028] Livestock animals that may be fed using the methods provided herein include ruminants such as cattle including dairy cows and steer; goats; or non-ruminants such as horses and pigs. Generally, the feeding methods and system provided are applicable to young livestock animals such as weaning, pre-weaned and recently weaned animals. In some implementations , companion animals may be provided sensory compounds for a reduced feed refusal. The young animals receiving sensory compounds during the MFP may generally range in age from 18 to about 120 days from birth. Weaning periods during the MFP may range from about 7 days to about 28 days in duration and may begin from about 24 to about 128 days from birth. The dry feed phase may last from about 25 days to about 129 days from birth.

[0029] Further, sensory compounds disclosed herein may provide additional benefits independent of formulation and feeding rate and may provide similar benefits in other situations where feed intake is limited such as in transition dairy cows, lactating sows, nursery piglets, and so on.

[0030] The following Examples relate to methods where sensory compounds are provided to young animals, however, these Examples should not be construed as limiting.

Example 1

[0031] In this example, two products containing sensory compounds (e.g., botanical/essential oil products) were fed to calves via a standard all milk protein milk replacer (Nursing Formula^™) composed of 22 percent protein and 20 percent fat, which is designed to be fed at 1.50 pounds (680g) daily on a dry weight basis. This amount of milk replacer powder was fed in two meals (0.75 pounds, 340g) daily after mixing into hot water. Bull calves in the trial were co-mingled and transported, and the trial lasted 42 days.

[0032] Two differently formulated sensory compounds were fed using calf milk replacer in this study. Average weekly calf milk replacer consumption is presented in Table 1 below. Both sensory compounds resulted in reduced calf milk replacer refusal during all weeks of the six week trial (except for Digestarom^® 1447 during the first week on test). During weeks one through five, a maximum of 10.50 pounds (4.76kg) of calf milk replacer powder were fed. Calves fed sensory compounds consumed all of this offered calf milk replacer during several weeks of this trial. During week six, calves were fed only one meal daily (0.75 pounds (340g) of powder) as calves were conditioned for weaning from milk products. Even though the amount of calf milk replacer was halved during this week, control calves still had refused calf milk replacer, but the sensory compound-fed calves did not.

Procedures:

[0033] Sixty (60), three to ten day old Holstein bull calves from Wisconsin, weighing approximately 95 - 105 pounds (43.1 - 47.6kg) were assigned by row, weight and initial gamma globulin level (equal distribution within each of following groups: <0.49, 0.50 to 0.99, 1.00 to 1.49, 1.50 to 2.49, and >2.5 % gamma globulin) into groups of 20 calves. The first group was the control group and received a non-medicated calf milk replacer (Nursing Formula^™). The second group received the same non-medicated calf milk replacer with a first sensory compound (Digestarom 1301^® (Micro-Plus; Stadtoldendorf, Germany)) at 0.34 grams per day (0.17 grams per feeding) for the first 35 days of the trial and 0.17 grams per day for days 36-42. The sensory compound was hand mixed with the calf milk replacer at the time of rehydration at 0.05 weight percent of the weight of the feed. The third group received the same non-medicated calf milk replacer with a second sensory compound (Digestarom^® 1447 AC (Micro-Plus; Stadtoldendorf, Germany)) at 1.63 grams per day (0.68 grams per feeding) for the first 35 days of the trial and 0.68 grams per day for days 36-42. The sensory compound for treatment 3 was hand mixed with the calf milk replacer at the time of rehydration at 0.20 weight percent of the total weight of the feed. The calves were offered 18 percent calf starters beginning at day 36 and extending through day 42 of the study.

[0034] Calves were weighed upon arrival and weekly thereafter. Other performance and parameters were determined on a daily basis and summarized by week and overall. Performance and scouring data were analyzed by general linear model ("GLM"). Data was reported as LSMEANS and separated by the PDIFF function of SAS.

Results:

[0035] Performance data are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Performance of Calves fed milk replacer without and with either 1st Sensory compound or 2nd Sensory compound
Item		Control CMR (NF)	CMR w/ 1st Sensory comp'd	CMR w/ 2nd Sensory comp'd	P-Values (P<=0.20)
					1 vs 2	1 vs 3	2 vs 3	C.V.
Treatments		1	2	3
No. of Calves		18	19	19
Initial Wt., lbs.		109.90 [49.8kg]	109.94 [49.9kg]	109.64 [49.7kg]	-	-	-	3.90
Initial Ig D		3.78	3.74	3.63	-	-	-	29.40
Avg. Period Starter Intake , lbs. (DM Basis)
Week	1	0.37 a [168g]	0.42 a [191g]	0.79 b [358g]	-	<0.01	0.02	88.57
	2	1.60 [726g]	2.01 [912g]	2.08 [943g]	-	-	-	79.17
	3	10.22 [4.64kg]	10.90 [4.94kg]	10.23 [4.64kg]	-	-	-	37.18
	4	8.61 [3.91kg]	8.76 [3.97kg]	8.94 [4.06kg]	-	-	-	40.34
	5	11.22 [5.09kg]	12.33 [5.59kg]	11.68 [5.3kg]	-	-	-	41.88
	6	20.17 [9.15kg]	20.12 [9.13kg]	22.54 [10.2kg]	-	0.18	0.16	25.42
	Total	52.19 [23.7kg]	54.53 [24.7kg]	56.26 [25.5kg]	-	-	-	29.38
Avg. Period Gain, lbs.
Week	1	-0.79 [-358g)	1.34 [608g]	1.33 [603g]	0.10	0.11	-	612.67
	2	3.38 [1.53kg]	5.35 [2.43kg]	5.23 [2.37kg]	-	-	-	100.71
	3	8.18 [3.71kg]	7.88 [3.57kg]	8.55 [3.88kg]	-	-	-	45.87
	4	11.18 [5.07kg]	12.88 [5.84kg]	12.17 [5.52kg]	0.12	-	-	27.70
	5	10.91 [4.95kg]	12.22 [5.54kg]	11.46 [5.2kg]	-	-	-	35.34
	6	12.60 [5.72kg]	13.59 [6.16kg]	13.39 [6.07kg]	-	-	-	37.21
	Total	45.44 [20.6kg]	53.26 [24.2kg]	52.13 [23.6kg]	0.06	0.10	-	24.41
Avg. Period Milk Replacer Consumption. lbs. (DM Basis)
Week	1	8.82 [4kg]	9.40 [4.26kg]	8.59 [3.9kg]	-	-	0.11	17.32
	2	9.65 a [4.38kg]	10.34 b [4.7kg]	10.28 ab [4.66kg]	0.05	0.07	-	10.11
	3	9.76 [4.43kg]	10.50 [4.76kg]	10.50 [4.76kg]	0.06	0.06	-	11.20
	4	9.81 [4.45kg]	10.50 [4.76kg]	10.50 [4.76kg]	0.06	0.06	-	10.67
	5	9.97 [4.52kg]	10.50 [4.76kg]	10.48 [4.75kg]	0.11	0.12	-	9.59
	6	5.00 [2.27kg]	5.25 [2.38kg]	5.25 [2.38kg]	-	-	-	11.41
	Total	53.01 [24kg]	56.49 [25.6kg]	55.59 [25.2kg]	0.06	0.15	-	9.85
Feed Efficiency Avg.		2.41	2.19	2.18	0.10	0.09	-	17.59

D Gram - % 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. ab P<0.05

[0036] All calves were fed a fixed level (10.5 pounds (4.76kg) DM, weekly) of milk replacer powder during weeks 1 through 5. The amount of milk replacer refused by calves weekly is the difference between milk replacer consumption and that offered (10.5 pounds (4.76kg) DM, weekly). Reduced refusal of milk replacer powder by calves receiving sensory compounds was observed when both sensory compounds were fed. Coefficients of variation (C.V.) for milk replacer intake for the control, 1^st sensory compound and the 2^nd sensory compound were 9.27, 1.39 and 1.84 percent, respectively. Based on these values, sensory compounds meaningfully enhanced uniformity of milk replacer intake. The reduction of refusal and increased uniformity of milk replacer intake resulted in increased gain of sensory compound fed calves compared with controls. Calves receiving the first sensory compound gained 17.2 percent more than the control group (P=0.06). During period 2, calves receiving the first sensory compound reduced feed refusal (P<0.05) of milk replacer compared to the control group. Overall, calves receiving the 1^st sensory compound had reduced milk replacer refusal compared with control fed calves (total intake of milk replacer was increased for 1st sensory compound, P=.06). Calves receiving the 2^nd sensory compound tended to have reduced milk replacer refusal compared with control fed calves (total milk replacer intake increased, P=.15). The groups ingesting the sensory compounds in milk replacer had increased intake of starter feed and improved feed efficiency compared to the control group.

[0037] With respect to scour scores (e.g., severity of diarrhea) during period 2, e.g., the days of scouring during the period, the control group had higher (P<0.05) scour scores compared to calves receiving the first sensory compound. There were no differences (P>0.05) for average weeks 2 or 4 scour scores. During period 2, the control group had more (P<0.05) scour days compared to calves receiving the first sensory compound. There were no differences (P>0.05) for average weeks 2 or 4 scour days. Scour scores are based on a 1-4 scale, with 1 = normal; 2 = loose; 3 = water separation; and 4 = water separation with severe dehydration.

[0038] With respect to electrolyte and medication costs, during period 2, the control group had higher (P<0.05) electrolyte costs compared to calves receiving the first sensory compound. There were no differences (P>0.05) in total electrolyte costs. During period 5, calves receiving the second sensory compound had higher (P<0.05) medication costs compared to calves receiving the first sensory compound. There were no differences (P>0.05) in total medication costs. During period 2, calves in the control group had higher (P<0.05) combined electrolyte and medication costs compared to calves receiving the first sensory compound. During period 5, calves receiving the second sensory compound had higher (P<0.05) combined electrolyte and medication costs compared to calves receiving the first sensory compound. There were no differences (P>0.05) in total combined electrolyte and medication costs. In addition, there were no negative health responses noted by the animals ingesting the sensory compounds.

Summary:

[0039] Calves fed sensory compounds had reduced refusal and feed intake variation of calf milk replacer compared to the control group and exhibited an improved feed efficiency compared to the control group. This resulted in the calves gaining more weight compared to the control group. Both sensory compounds containing botanical and essential oil products appeared (P>0.05) to improve gain, efficiency and did not negatively impact the general health and well-being of the livestock animals in this trial.

Example 2

[0040] In view of the results of Example 1 that suggest sensory compounds produce benefits in gain, reduced feed refusal of calf milk replacer and starter, and without negatively impacting the general health and well-being of the livestock animals, a further study was conducted to determine whether improvement in feed refusal of calf milk replacer could be beneficial with alternative protein containing milk replacers. Alternative protein containing milk replacers are typically refused by calves to a greater degree (perhaps due to off flavor or amino acid profiles) and may result in increased feed refusal with decreased rate of weight gain. For example, by reducing refusal of alternative protein milk replacer by employing sensory compounds, the use of the alternative protein milk replacers for calves may be more viable. Given the benefits noted in the earlier trial, it was important to assess sensory compounds as an ingredient in an alternative protein milk replacer. In Example 2, the alternative protein was provided in the form of modified soy flour. Modified soy flour may be produced using the materials and methods described in U.S. Patent 7,608,292, entitled "Method of processing soy protein," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this trial, a first control group received traditional milk replacer, a second control group received the alternative protein milk replacer, and the test study group received the alternative protein milk replacer with sensory compounds. Calf milk replacer was fed at 1.50 pounds (680g) on a dry weight basis per day (two feedings). During the last week on test, calves received 0.75 pounds (340g) on a dry weight basis, daily in one feeding. Calves were sourced in the same manner as Example 1.

[0041] In this study, ten (10) calves were assigned to each treatment. Calf milk replacer was fed to all calves at a rate of 1.5 pounds (680g) per day. Calf starter having 20 percent protein was offered to all calves. The trial lasted 42 days.

Procedures:

[0042] Sixty (60), three to ten day old Holstein bull calves from Wisconsin, weighing approximately 80 - 95 pounds (36.3 - 43.1kg) will be assigned by row, weight and initial gamma globulin level (equal distribution within each of following groups: <0.49, 0.50 to 0.99, 1.00 to 1.49, 1.50 to 2.49, and >2.5 % gamma globulin) into groups of 10 calves. Thirty of the calves were observed for feed refusal response using a first control group of 10 calves receiving traditional calf milk replacer; a second control group of 10 calves receiving alternative protein containing milk replacers; and a test group of 10 calves receiving alternative protein containing milk replacers with sensory compounds (Digestarom^® 1301, 0.05 weight percent) at a rate of 0.34 grams per day (0.17 grams per feeding per day) for the first 35 days of the trial, and 0.17 grams per day (single feeding) from days 36 through 42 of the trial. Specifically, calves were fed 0.75 pounds (340g) of non-medicated calf milk replacer twice per day (1.50 lbs (680g) / day) for days 1 through 35, then once a day (0.75 lbs (340g) /day) through day 42. Calves were offered starter during the trial.

[0043] Calves were weighed upon arrival and weekly thereafter. Other performance and parameters were determined on a daily basis and summarized by week and overall. Data was reported as LSMEANS and separated by the PDIFF function of SAS. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) P value (if <0.2) for all treatments is also listed.

Results:

[0044] Performance data are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Performance of calves fed for the evaluation of various calf milk replacer (calf milk replacer main effect)
CMR	Traditional Milk Replacer	Alternative protein milk replacer	Alternative protein with sensory compounds
Total Starting
Calves	20	20	20
Total Died	2	2	1
Total Removed +/-2STD	0	0	0		Main Effects
Final Calves	18	18	19	SE	(ANOVA)D
Initial IgA	3.56	3.72	3.74	0.24	-

Avg. Period milk replacer consumption, lbs. (DM Basis)
Week 1	8.34 [3.78kg]	8.19 [3.71kg]	7.33 [3.32kg]	0.39	.15
Week 2	9.36 [4.25kg]	9.07 [4.11 kg]	9.56 [4.34kg]	0.30	-
Week 3	10.45b [4.74kg]	9.89a [4.49kg]	10.43b [4.73kg]	0.15	.01
Week 4	10.50b [4.76kg]	9.88a [4.48kg]	10.46b [4.74kg]	0.17	.02
Week 5	10.46b [4.74kg]	9.69a [4.4kg]	10.30b [4.67kg]	0.20	.02
Week 6	5.25b [2.38kg]	4.95a [2.25kg]	5.21b [2.36kg]	0.09	.05
Total CMR	54.36 [24.6kg]	51.67 [23.4kg]	53.29 [24.2kg]	1.01	.18
Calf Weights, lbs
Initial weight	96.0 [43.5kg]	96.3 [43.7kg]	96.2 [43.6kg]	0.86	-
WeekB 1	97.0 [44kg]	94.7 [43kg]	95.7 [43.4kg]	1.34	-
Week 2	101.9b [46.2kg]	97.4a [44.2kg]	97.7ab [44.3kg]	1.52	.07
Week 3	110.4b [50.1kg]	102.6a [46.5kg]	104.1a [47.2kg]	1.83	.01
Week 4	119.6b [54.2kg]	109.0a [49.4kg]	112.6a [51.1kg]	2.29	.01
Week 5	129.4b [58.7kg]	116.7a [52.9kg]	123.5ab [56kg]	2.75	.01
Week 6	141.9b [64.4kg]	127.9a [58kg]	135.7ab [61.6kg]	3.42	.02

Avg. Period Gain, lbs.
Week 1	1.00 [454g]	-1.55 [-703g]	-0.45 [-204g]	1.18	-
Week 2	4.91b [2.23kg]	2.65ab [1.2kg]	1.94a [880g]	0.84	.04
Week 3	8.54b [3.87kg]	5.27a [2.39kg]	6.40a [2.9kg]	0.73	.01
Week 4	9.12b [4.14kg]	6.37a [2.89kg]	8.57b [3.89kg]	0.75	.03
Week 5	9.86ab [4.47kg]	7.74a [3.51kg]	10.83b [4.91kg]	0.93	.06
Week 6	12.46 [5.65kg]	11.20 [5.08kg]	12.23 [5.55kg]	1.17	-
Total Gain	45.89b [20.8kg]	31.68a [14.4kg]	39.52ab [17.9kg]	3.39	.02

Period Dry FeedC consumption, lbs. (DM Basis)
Week 1	0.44 [200g]	0.50 [227g]	0.51 [231g]	0.08	-
Week 2	2.19 [994g]	1.83 [830g]	2.07 [940g]	0.26	-
Week 3	4.72 [2.14kg]	3.58 [1.62kg]	3.79 [1.72kg]	0.50	-
Week 4	7.04 [3.19kg]	5.11 [2.32kg]	6.54 [2.97kg]	0.69	.13
Week 5	9.53 [4.32kg]	8.17 [3.71kg]	9.85 [4.47kg]	0.98	-
Week 6	17.37 [7.88kg]	14.46 [6.56kg]	17.25 [7.82kg]	1.36	-
Total Dry Feed Cons.	41.28 [18.7kg]	33.65 [15.3kg]	40.01 [18.1kg]	3.51	-
Average Feed: Gain	2.38	2.82	2.63	0.22	-

Means in the same row not followed by a common letter differ(P<.05) using LSD procedure. A Gram - % 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. B Seven day duration. C Ampli-Calf 20 B60, Willmar, MN. D P value comparing main effects. ab P<0.05 (paired comparison).

[0045] Compared to calves offered alternative protein milk replacer without sensory compounds, calves offered the alternative milk replacer with sensory compounds had reduced refusal of milk replacer (10.5 pounds (4.76kg) of milk replacer DM offered weekly during weeks 1-5). Coefficients of variation for milk replacer consumption for the alternative protein without and with sensory compounds were 6.88 and 2.7 percent, respectively. This reduction in refusal and intake coefficients of variation resulted in increased weight, increased weight gain, increased dry feed intake, and improved feed efficiency. Compared to calves offered traditional milk replacer, calves offered the alternative milk replacer with sensory compounds showed similar end weights, weight gain rates, and feed refusals.

[0046] Overall, calves offered traditional milk replacer and the alternative protein milk replacer with sensory compounds, had higher (P<0.05) total respiratory scores than calves offered the alternative protein milk replacer without sensory compounds. With respect to weaning, based on Land O' Lakes Criteria, by day 35 more (P<0.05) calves offered the alternative protein milk replacer with sensory compounds could have been weaned compared to calves offered the alternative protein milk replacer without sensory compounds. According to the Land O' Lakes criteria, a calf is assumed weaned when 1.0 lb (454g) of dry feed consumed each day for 2 consecutive days.

[0047] With respect to weaning using Land O'Lakes Criteria, by day 35 more (P<0.05) calves receiving treatment with the sensory compounds could have been weaned compared to calves receiving treatments without the sensory compounds. Using industry criteria, in which a calf is assumed weaned when 1.5 lbs (0.68kg) dry feed consumed each day for 3 consecutive days, by day 28 more (P<0.05) calves receiving treatment with sensory compounds could have been weaned compared to calves receiving control treatments.

[0048] There were no differences (P>0.05) between the test groups in weekly or average 2-week scour scores; weekly or average 2-week scour days; electrolyte costs; medication costs; total combined electrolyte and medication costs; and attitude scores. In addition, there were no negative health responses noted by the animals ingesting the sensory compounds.

Summary:

[0049] Calf milk replacer refusal was reduced for all periods (except for period 1) when sensory compounds were added. Reduced calf milk replacer refusal and enhanced uniformity of milk replacer intake resulted in measurable increases in starter feed consumption and body weight gain. Further, these benefits were observed without negative impacts to the general health of the young livestock animals. Sensory compounds appear to reduce refusal and feed intake variation of alternative protein calf milk replacer and performance of calves. The sensory compounds delivered remarkably consistent results.

Example 3

[0050] In this Example, sensory compounds were included in a milk replacer that was designed to be fed at a higher feeding rate. Calf milk replacer was fed at a 1.8 pound (820g) feeding rate on a dry weight basis through day seven. From days 8 through 42, calves were fed 2.5 pounds (1.13kg) of calf milk replacer powder on a dry weight basis. During these periods, calf milk replacer was fed in two equal feedings after being hydrated with water. During the last week (days 42 through 49), calves received only one calf milk replacer feeding (1.25 pounds (570g) of powder). Calves were sourced in the same manner as Example 1. Milk replacers of interest in this trial contained 27 percent protein and either 10 percent or 15 percent fat. Eighteen (18) calves were assigned to each treatment. All calves were offered calf starter and the trial lasted 49 days.

Procedures:

[0051] Seventy-two (72), 3 - 10 day old, Holstein bull calves from Wisconsin, weighing approximately 95 - 110 pounds (43.1 - 49.9kg) were assigned, by weight and initial gamma globulin level (equal distribution within each of following groups: <0.49, 0.50 to 0.99, 1.00 to 1.49, 1.50 to 2.49, and >2.5 % gamma globulin) to two treatments. The first treatment received all milk protein, milk replacer with 27 percent protein formulated to a fatty acid standard and the second treatment received the same milk replacer with the sensory compound.

[0052] From days 1 through 7 of the trial, calves receiving milk replacer with sensory compounds were provided 0.41 grams per day (0.20 grams for at first feeding and 0.21 grams at a second feeding). From days 8 through 42, calves receiving sensory compounds were provided 0.57 grams per day (0.28 grams for each of the two feedings). From days 43 through 49, calves receiving sensory compounds were provided 0.28 grams per day, which was provided in a single feeding.

[0053] Calves were weighed upon arrival and weekly thereafter. Other performance parameters were determined on a daily basis and summarized by week and overall. Performance and scouring data were analyzed by GLM. Data was reported as LSMEANS and separated by the PDIFF function of SAS.

Results:

[0054] Performance data showing the main effects of sensory compounds added to milk replacer are shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Effects of Sensory Compounds
	Diet Descriptions
Additives	Milk Replacer	Milk replacer with Sensory Compound	SE	(1)
Total Starting Calves	36	36
Total Died	3	6
Total Removed +/-2STD	0	0
Final Calves	33	30
Avg. Period MR Consumption,Ibs. (DM Basis)
Week 1	10.09 [4.58kg]	10.31 [4.68kg]	0.32	-
Week 2	14.45 [6.55kg]	15.49 [7.03kg]	0.57	-
Week 3	15.36 [6.97kg]	16.54 [7.5kg]	0.47	.08
Week 4	16.11a [7.31kg]	17.37b [7.88kg]	0.35	.01
Week 5	16.28 [7.38kg]	17.10 [7.8kg]	0.37	.12
Week 6	16.53 [7.5kg]	17.22 [7.81kg]	0.29	.09
Week 7	8.75 [3.97kg]	8.75 [3.97kg]	-
Total CMR	97.6a [44.3kg]	102.8b [46.6kg]	1.73	.04
Initial Weight, lbs	104.9 [47.6kg]	105.6 [47.9kg]	0.99	-
Weight wk 1, lbs	110.5 [50.1kg]	109.8 [49.8kg]	0.68	-
Weight wk 2, lbs	121.6 [55.2kg]	121.2 [55kg]	1.39	-
Weight wk 3, lbs	130.2 [59.1kg]	131.8 [59.8kg]	1.70	-
Weight wk 4, lbs	139.9 [63.5kg]	143.7 [65.2kg]	2.03	.19
Weight wk 5, lbs	151.1 [68.5kg]	155.3 [70.4kg]	2.35	-
Weight wk 6, lbs	163.3 [74.1kg]	167.9 [76.2kg]	.03	-
Weight Wk 7, lbs	173.1 [78.5kg]	178.4 [80.9kg]	3.94	-
Avg. Period Gain. lbs.
Week 1	5.31 [2.41kg]	4.59 [2.08kg]	0.68	-
Week 2	11.03 [5kg]	11.41 [5.18kg]	0.95	-
Week 3	8.63 [3.91kg]	10.54 [4.78kg]	0.75	.08
Week 4	9.74a [4.42kg]	11.96b [5.42kg]	0.73	.04
Week 5	11.15 [5.06kg]	11.57 [5.25kg]	1.06	-
Week 6	12.23 [5.55kg]	12.62 [5.72kg]	1.17	-
Week 7	9.76 [4.43kg]	10.54 [4.78kg]	1.21	-
Total Gain	67.85 [30.8kg]	73.23 [33.2kg]	3.94	-
Period Dry Feed Consumption. lbs. (DM Basis)
Week 1	0.55 [249g]	0.37 [168g]	0.07	.09
Week 2	1.51 [685g]	1.03 [467g]	0.20	.09
Week 3	2.21 [1kg]	1.71 [776g]	0.27	.19
Week 4	2.89 [1.31kg]	3.04 [1.38kg]	0.39	-
Week 5	4.56 [2.07kg]	4.28 [1.94kg]	0.54	-
Week 6	6.36 [2.88kg]	7.00 [3.18kg]	0.78	-
Week 7	13.67 [6.2kg]	15.24 [6.91kg]	1.42	-
Total Dry Feed Cons.	31.75 [14.4kg]	32.67 [14.8kg]	3.38	-
Average Feed:Gain	2.05	1.92	0.07	-

PR>F if<.20 for (1) Additives

[0055] Means in the same row not followed by a common letter differ(P<.05) using LSD procedure.

[0056] During week one, a total of 12.6 pounds (5.72kg) of calf milk replacer powder was offered and, calves fed sensory compounds reduced feed refusal and consumed 10.31 pounds (4.68kg) of this total compared to 10.09 for the control animals. During weeks two through six, a total 17.5 pounds (7.94kg) of powder was fed weekly to calves. Sensory compound-fed calves reduced feed refusal of this total every week. During the final week of this evaluation, 1.25 pounds (570g) of powder were offered per day. Only during this week of weaning were refusals similar. CVs for milk replacer consumption were 12.23 and 5.49 percent for the control and that with sensory compounds, respectively.

[0057] Overall, calves receiving sensory compounds in the milk replacers weighed more, gained more weight, reduced refusal of (P<0.05) calf milk replacer and of starter feed and had an improved feed to gain ratio than treatments where calves were fed the same milk replacer but without sensory compounds for the seven week period.

[0058] Hip Height, Heart Girth, Body Length and Body Volume: Calves receiving sensory compounds had increased (P<0.05) seven week hip height gain compared to the control group. Calves receiving sensory compounds had increased (P<0.05) seven week heart girth gain compared to the control group. Calves receiving sensory compounds had increased (P<0.05) seven week body volume gain compared to the control group.

[0059] With respect to electrolyte and medication costs, the control group had higher electrolyte costs, medication costs and combined electrolyte and medication costs compared to calves ingesting the sensory compound. There were no negative health responses noted by the animals ingesting the sensory compounds.

Summary:

[0060] Use of sensory compounds again reduced milk replacer refusal and improved uniformity of milk replacer intake. The reduction in milk replacer refusal and feed intake variation included enhancements in total gain, starter intake, feed efficiency and body measurements. Coefficients of variation for milk replacer intake were also reduced for the milk replacer containing sensory compounds suggesting sensory compounds reduces refusal and intake variation in situations where full potential rates of milk replacer dry matter is offered. Again, calves with reduced refusal, appear to gain more weight and consume more starter feed.

Example 4

[0061] In addition to an evaluation of different milk replacer treatments, the benefits of sensory compounds in calf starter were assessed. A traditional calf milk replacer (Nursing Formula^™ (22:20)) was employed as the base milk replacer. All calf starter treatments were split with half of the calves assigned to the control 20 percent protein calf starter (Ampli-Calf^® 20) and the other half to this same product with added sensory compounds at 0.05 weight percent of the total weight of the feed (e.g., 500 grams of sensory compound per ton of dry feed). Calves were again sourced as in Example 1. The composition of the starter feed ingested by the animals is provided in Table 4.

Table 4: Starter Feed Component	Percent
Corn	36.6
Dehulled Soybean Meal	30.3
Wheat Middlings	8.5
Oats	8.0
Molasses and fat mixture	4.5
Ground Cotton Seed Hulls	4.0
Distillers Grains	3.0
Calcium Carbonate	2.0
Molasses	1.5
Salt	0.5
Other Macronutrients and Micronutrients	1.1
Total	100

[0062] The nutrient composition of the starter feed is provided in Table 5.

Table 5 : Starter Feed Nutrients	Percent
Coarse ingredients (e.g., corn, soy, oats)	49.9
Distillers Grains	3.0
Molasses	6.0
Calcium	1.0
Salt	0.5
Protein	20.0
Fat	2.5
NIR Fiber	5.7
Acid Detergent Fiber	7.0
Starch	27.2

[0063] Feed refusal for the first six weeks during the trial is shown in Table 6. The offered amounts are on a per week basis. Thus, for example, the animal offered 0.76 pounds (340.2g) of dry feed during the Week 1 in Table 6 below is offered 0.101 pounds (45.8g) of dry feed per day.

Table 6: Weekly Feed Refusal Summary (per calf basis)
Week 1	Diet	Diet A	Diet A with Sensory compounds
	Offered, lbs.	0.82 [372g]	0.76 [345g]
	Refused, lbs.	0.38 [172g]	0.36 [163g]
	Intake	0.439 [199g]	0.392 [178g]
	% Refusal*	56.31%	61.05%
	% Refusal**	46.34%	47.37%
Week 2	Offered, lbs.	2.04	2.32
	Refused, lbs.	[925g] 0.29	[1.05kg] 0.22
	Intake	[132g] 1.76 [798g]	[100g] 2.10 [953g]
	% Refusal*	24.02%	14.38%
	% Refusal**	14.22%	9.48%
Week 3	Offered, lbs.	2.9 [1.32kg]	3.82 [1.73kg]
	Refused, lbs.	0.05 [23g]	0.05 [23g]
	Intake	2.85 [1.29kg]	3.77 [1.71kg]
	% Refusal*	2.98%	2.47%
	% Refusal**	1.72%	1.31%
Week 4	Offered, lbs.	6.59 [2.99kg]	8.05 [3.65kg]
	Refused, lbs.	0.34 [154g]	0.33 [150g]
	Intake	6.25 [2.84kg]	7.72 [3.5kg]
	% Refusal*	7.93%	5.24%
	% Refusal**	5.16%	4.10%
Week 5	Offered, lbs.	8.58 [3.9kg]	10.82 [4.9kg]
	Refused, lbs.	0.11 [50g]	0.03 [14g]
	Intake	8.46 [3.84kg]	10.79 [4.9kg]
	% Refusal*	4.15%	0.35%
	% Refusal**	1.28%	0.28%
Week 6	Offered, lbs.	16.62 [7.54kg]	20.32 [9.22kg]
	Refused, lbs.	0.37 [168g]	0.42 [191g]
	Intake	16.25 [7.38kg]	19.90 [9.03kg]
	% Refusal*	3.63%	2.15%
	% Refusal**	2.23%	2.07%
Weeks 1-6 %	Offered, lbs.	37.56 [17kg]	46.09 [20.9kg]
	Refused, lbs.	1.54 [699g]	1.41 [640g]
	Intake	36.01 [16.3kg]	44.68 [20.3kg]
	% Refusal*	6.51%	3.69%
	Refusal**	4.11% 3.07%

Refusal* = Average of each animals refusal percent Refusal** = Avg Refused / Avg Offered

[0064] Steps in calculating refusal values in Table 8 included the following: 1. Calculate total feed added to pails (FI) on an As-fed basis; 2. Calculate daily WB (total feed removed from pails that was weighed out and replaced); 3. Convert the daily WB to the same dry matter as the fresh feed as follows: (WB DM / FI DM ) * Daily WB; 4. Subtract adjusted daily WB from FI to get the adjusted FI value; 5. Convert the weekly feed out (FO) to same dry matter as the FI as above; 6. Calculate refusal as follows: Adj FO / Adj FI; and 7. Subtract adjusted FO from adjusted FI to get the adjusted Feed Offered value. Coefficients of variation for starter intake by calves were 50.19 and 43.59 percent for the starter without and that with sensory compounds, respectively.

Summary:

[0065] Starter feed refusal was reduced every week except for week one (starter feed intake during the first week is so small that this data is generally not that informative). These data were surprising and again point to the merit of sensory compounds. Coefficients of variation for starter intake were also reduced for starter containing sensory compounds.

[0066] As used herein, standard error ("SE") is the standard deviations of the sample in a frequency distribution, obtained by dividing the standard deviation by the total number of cases in the frequency distribution. A coefficient of variation ("C.V.") for data is the standard deviation of a particular variable divided by the mean of the variable and then multiplied by 100. "P" used in the Tables above is a probability value. For purposes of comparing data in this document, P values of 0.05, or lower, are considered to be statistically significant.

Claims

1. A method of feeding a young animal for reducing the young animal's feed refusal of a milk replacer, the method comprising:

providing sensory compounds in the milk replacer, wherein the sensory compounds comprise an active ingredient of one or more of licorice, anise and fennel, the active ingredient accounting for at least 60 percent of the sensory compounds; and

providing the mixture to the young animal, wherein the milk replacer is fed at a rate of at least 0.34 kilograms (0.75 pounds) on a dry basis per day and up to 1.13 kilograms (2.5 pounds) on a dry basis per day, and the sensory compounds are consumed at a rate of at least 0.17 grams per day and up to about 2.25 grams per day.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the active ingredient accounts for at least 85 percent, of the sensory compound.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensory compound further comprises at least one of vanilla, vanillin, Fiori di Sicilia, maple, cinnamon, cassia, mint, spearmint, wintergreen, cumin, thyme, caraway, caraway thyme, coriander, hyperici, caproic acid, n-hexanoic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, 1,4 -octanolactone, and butyric acid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensory compounds are in the form of constituent essential oils or flavorants that mimic sensory compound flavors.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the young animal additionally ingests a dry feed mixed with the sensory compounds, said sensory compounds ingested at a rate of up to 5.30 grams per day.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the young animal ingests at least 0.34 grams of sensory compounds per day for a first time period and ingests a reduced amount of sensory compounds per day in the milk replacer for a second time period following the first time period.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first time period is at least 28 days and the second time period is 7 days.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the young animal ingests dry feed, at least during the second time period, preferably wherein the dry feed comprises the sensory compounds.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the young animal additionally ingests sensory compounds provided in a starter feed, wherein the sensory compounds are consumed at a total rate of at least 0.20 grams per day.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensory compounds are consumed at a total rate of up to 16.8 grams per day.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the young animal is a pre-weaned or a recently weaned animal.

12. The method of claims 1 or 11, wherein the young animal is a calf.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Füttern eines Jungtiers zum Reduzieren der Futterverweigerung von einem Milchersatz durch das Jungtier, wobei das Verfahren Folgendes umfasst:

Bereitstellen von sensorischen Verbindungen in dem Milchersatz, wobei die sensorischen Verbindungen einen aktiven Inhaltsstoff aus einem oder mehreren von Lakritze, Anis und Fenchel umfassen, wobei der aktive Inhaltsstoff mindestens 60 Prozent der sensorischen Verbindungen darstellt; und

Bereitstellen der Mischung an das Jungtier, wobei der Milchersatz mit einer Rate von mindestens 0,34 Kilogramm (0,75 Pfund) auf einer trockenen Grundlage pro Tag und bis zu 1,13 Kilogramm (2,5 Pfund) auf einer trockenen Grundlage pro Tag gefüttert wird, und die sensorischen Verbindungen mit einer Rate von mindestens 0,17 Gramm pro Tag und bis zu ungefähr 2,25 Gramm pro Tag verzehrt werden.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei der aktive Inhaltsstoff mindestens 85 Prozent der sensorischen Verbindung darstellt.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die sensorische Verbindung ferner mindestens eines von Vanille, Vanillin, Fiori di Sicilia, Ahorn, Zimt, Cassia, Minze, Grüner Minze, Wintergrün, Kreuzkümmel, Thymian, Kümmel, Korsischem Thymian, Koriander, Hyperici, Capronsäure, n-Hexanonsäure, Caprylsäure, Caprinsäure, 1,4-Octanolacton und Buttersäure umfasst.

4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die sensorischen Verbindungen in der Form von ätherischen Ölen oder Aromastoffen vorliegen, welche die Aromen der sensorischen Verbindungen nachahmen.

5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Jungtier zusätzlich ein Trockenfutter zu sich nimmt, welches mit den sensorischen Verbindungen gemischt ist, wobei die sensorischen Verbindungen mit einer Rate von bis zu 5,30 Gramm pro Tag eingenommen werden.

6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Jungtier mindestens 0,34 Gramm sensorische Verbindungen pro Tag über einen ersten Zeitraum einnimmt, und eine reduzierte Menge an sensorischen Verbindungen pro Tag in dem Milchersatz über einen zweiten Zeitraum, welcher auf den ersten Zeitraum folgt, einnimmt.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei der erste Zeitraum mindestens 28 Tage beträgt und der zweite Zeitraum 7 Tage beträgt.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei das Jungtier Trockenfutter zu sich nimmt, mindestens über den zweiten Zeitraum, wobei vorzugsweise das Trockenfutter die sensorischen Verbindungen umfasst.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Jungtier zusätzlich sensorische Verbindungen einnimmt, welche in einem Starterfutter bereitgestellt werden, wobei die sensorischen Verbindungen mit einer Gesamtrate von mindestens 0,20 Gramm pro Tag eingenommen werden.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei die sensorischen Verbindungen mit einer Gesamtrate von bis zu 16,8 Gramm pro Tag verzehrt werden.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Jungtier ein noch nicht entwöhntes oder kürzlich entwöhntes Tier ist.

12. Verfahren nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 11, wobei das Jungtier ein Kalb ist.

Revendications

1. Procédé d'alimentation d'un jeune animal pour réduire le refus d'alimentation par le jeune animal d'un substitut du lait, le procédé comprenant :

la fourniture de composés sensoriels dans le substitut du lait, dans lequel les composés sensoriels comprennent un ingrédient actif d'un ou de plusieurs parmi la réglisse, l'anis et le fenouil, l'ingrédient actif représentant au moins 60 pour cent des composés sensoriels ; et

la fourniture du mélange au jeune animal, dans lequel le substitut du lait est alimenté à un taux d'au moins 0,34 kilogrammes (0,75 livres) sur une base sèche par jour et jusqu'à 1,13 kilogrammes (2,5 livres) sur une base sèche par jour, et les composés sensoriels sont consommés à un taux d'au moins 0,17 gramme par jour et jusqu'à environ 2,25 grammes par jour.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ingrédient actif représente au moins 85 pour cent du composé sensoriel.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le composé sensoriel comprend en outre au moins un parmi la vanille, la vanilline, l'essence Fior di Sicilia, l'érable, la cannelle, la casse, la menthe, la menthe verte, le thé des bois, le cumin, le thym, le carvi, le thym de Corse, la coriandre, l'hyperici, l'acide caproïque, l'acide n-hexanoïque, l'acide caprylique, l'acide caprique, l' 1,4-octanolactone, et l'acide butyrique.

4. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les composés sensoriels sont sous la forme d'huiles essentielles ou d'arômes qui reproduisent les fragrances des composés sensoriels.

5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le jeune animal ingère en outre une alimentation sèche mélangée avec les composés sensoriels, lesdits composés sensoriels ingérés à un taux pouvant atteindre 5,30 grammes par jour.

6. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le jeune animal ingère au moins 0,34 gramme de composés sensoriels par jour pendant une première période et ingère une quantité réduite de composés sensoriels par jour dans le substitut du lait pendant une seconde période après la première période.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la première période est d'au moins 28 jours et la seconde période est de 7 jours.

8. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le jeune animal ingère une alimentation sèche, au moins pendant la seconde période, de préférence dans lequel l'alimentation sèche comprend les composés sensoriels.

9. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le jeune animal ingère en outre des composés sensoriels fournis dans une alimentation de départ, dans lequel les composés sensoriels sont consommés à un taux total d'au moins 0,20 grammes par jour.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les composés sensoriels sont consommés à un taux total pouvant atteindre 16,8 grammes par jour.

11. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le jeune animal est un animal pré-sevré ou récemment sevré.

12. Procédé selon les revendications 1 ou 11, dans lequel le jeune animal est un veau.