CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) International Application No. PCT/US2014/014444, filed February 3, 2014 and entitled "DIETARY COMPOSITIONS FOR RUMINANTS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Increasing production and fat content of milk obtained from lactating ruminants has been a major goal for dairy producers. Additional milk production per ruminant is beneficial because it results in a higher yield, thereby increasing profits for producers. Increased milk fat may be desirable because it may have a higher economic value and can be used in highly profitable food products, such as cheese, yogurt, and the like.

[0003] A common approach to increasing either or both production and milk fat contents includes adjusting feed, nutrients, elements (for example, fat), vitamins, supplements, and/or the like provided to the ruminant. One such specific method includes feeding the ruminant a total mixed ration (TMR), which is a mix of grain and silage with some protein meals, such as, for example, soya bean meal and canola meal. Additional materials and trace elements, vitamins, extra nutrients, and the like may also be added to the TMR. A typical method to increase the energy content of feed is to add fat to the TMR directly or to add oilseeds having a higher fat content.

[0004] However, current methods and feeds containing unsaturated fatty acids tend to decrease milk production, decrease protein content, and/or have other detrimental effects on the ruminant, such as causing milk fat depression. Furthermore, the methods and feeds oftentimes result in other undesirable effects, such as increased trans fatty acid levels on the fatty acid profile of the milk fat.

SUMMARY

[0005] In an embodiment, a feed composition for ruminants may include at least one feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid, wherein each of the at least one fatty acid has a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the fatty acid. The feed composition may have a Milk Solids Index (MSI) of from about 80 to about 900. The MSI may be calculated according to the following equation: Milk Solids Index = 100 - (Milk Fat Depression Index) + _S A + 3 X P _PA . The Milk Fat Depression Index (MFDI) may be calculated as the sum of a weight ratio in g/kg of each fatty acid in the feed ingredient times the double bond count of the fatty acid according to the following: MFDI = ∑[(fatty acid in the feed ingredient x number of C=C bond per molecule)/total amount of feed composition]. P _$ A may be calculated according to the following equation: P _$ A ⁼ amount of stearic acid/total amount of feed composition. _P A may be calculated according to the following equation: _P A = amount of palmitic acid /total amount of feed composition.

[0006] In an embodiment, a method of preparing a feed composition for ruminants may include combining a first feed ingredient with a second feed ingredient to form a mixture, wherein at least one of the first and the second feed ingredients comprises at least one fatty acid and processing the mixture into a pellet, or a granular material. Each of the at least one fatty acid has a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon- carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the fatty acid. The feed composition may have a MSI of from about 80 to about 900. The MSI may be calculated according to the following equation: MSI = 100 - MFDI + _SA + 3 x _PA . The MFDI may be calculated as the sum of a weight ratio in g/kg of each fatty acid in the feed ingredient times the double bond count of the fatty acid according to the following: MFDI =∑[(fatty acid in the feed ingredient x number of C=C bond per molecule)/total amount of feed composition]. P _$ A may be calculated according to the following equation: P _$ A ⁼ amount of stearic acid/total amount of feed composition. _PA may be calculated according to the following equation: _PA = amount of palmitic acid /total amount of feed composition.

[0007] In an embodiment, a method of increasing milk fat content in ruminants may include providing a feed composition to a ruminant for ingestion. The feed composition may include at least one feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid, wherein each of the at least one fatty acid may have a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the fatty acid. The feed composition may have a MSI of from about 80 to about 900. The MSI may be calculated according to the following equation: MSI = 100 - MFDI + _SA + 3 x _PA . The MFDI may be calculated as the sum of a weight ratio in g/kg of each fatty acid in the feed ingredient times the double bond count of the fatty acid according to the following: MFDI =∑[(fatty acid in the feed ingredient x number of C=C bond per molecule)/total amount of feed composition]. P _$ A may be calculated according to the following equation: P _$ A ⁼ amount of stearic acid/total amount of feed composition. _PA may be calculated according to the following equation: _PA = amount of palmitic acid /total amount of feed composition.

[0008] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a MFDI of a feed ingredient, wherein the feed ingredient comprises at least one fatty acid, may include, by a processor, accessing ingredient information for the feed ingredient, and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, and generating the MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count. [0009] In an embodiment, a system for generating a MFDI of a feed ingredient, wherein the feed ingredient comprises at least one fatty acid may include a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to access ingredient information for the feed ingredient, and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, and generate the MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count.

[0010] In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium having computer- readable program code configured to generate a MFDI of a feed ingredient, where the feed ingredient comprises at least one fatty acid. The computer-readable program code may include computer-readable program code configured to access ingredient information for the feed ingredient, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, and computer-readable program code configured to generate the MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count.

[0011] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a MFDI of a feed composition comprising at least one feed ingredient, may include, by a processor, accessing ingredient information for the at least one feed ingredient, the at least one feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count for each of the at least one fatty acid that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the fatty acid, and generating the MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count. [0012] In an embodiment, a system for generating a MFDI of a feed composition that includes at least one feed ingredient, may include a processor, and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to access ingredient information for the at least feed ingredient, the at least one feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of at least one fatty acid, and generate the MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count.

[0013] In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium may include computer-readable program code configured to generate a MFDI of a feed composition comprising at least one feed ingredient, where the at least one feed ingredient may include at least one fatty acid. The computer-readable program code may include computer-readable program code configured to access ingredient information for the feed composition, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule in the at least one fatty acid, and computer-readable program code configured to generate the MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count.

[0014] In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium may include computer-readable program code configured to generate a MFDI of a feed composition comprising at least one feed ingredient, where the at least one feed ingredient may include at least one fatty acid. The computer-readable program code may include computer-readable program code configured to access ingredient information for the feed composition, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule in the at least one fatty acid, and computer-readable program code configured to generate the MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count.

[0015] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a MSI of a feed ingredient may include, by a processor, accessing ingredient information for the feed ingredient, the feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed ingredient, and an ingredient amount indicating the total amount of the feed ingredient, generating a MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count, generating a palmitic acid effect (P _P A) for the feed ingredient, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid compound amount, and generating the MSI of the feed ingredient based on the MFDI of the feed ingredient, and the palmitic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI decreases the MSI, and an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI.

[0016] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a MSI of a feed ingredient may include, by a processor, accessing ingredient information for the feed ingredient, the feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, and, optionally, a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed ingredient, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed ingredient, and an ingredient amount indicating the total amount of the feed ingredient, generating a MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count, generating a palmitic acid effect ( _P A) for the feed ingredient, where the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid amount, optionally, generating a stearic acid effect (PSA) for the feed ingredient, wherein the stearic acid effect is proportional to the stearic acid amount, and generating the MSI of the feed ingredient based on the MFDI of the feed ingredient, the palmitic acid effect, and, optionally, the stearic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI decreases the MSI, an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI, and an increase in the stearic acid effect increases the Milk Solids Index.

[0017] In an embodiment, a system for generating a MSI of a feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid may include a processor and a non-transitory, computer- readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor. The computer- readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to access ingredient information for the feed ingredient, the feed ingredient comprising at least one fatty acid and the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed ingredient, and an ingredient amount indicating the total amount of the feed ingredient, generate a MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count, generate a palmitic acid effect (PPA) for the feed ingredient, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid compound amount, and generate the MSI of the feed ingredient based on the MFDI of the feed ingredient, and the palmitic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI decreases the MSI, and an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI.

[0018] In an embodiment, a system for generating a MSI of a feed ingredient including at least one fatty acid may include a processor and a non-transitory, computer- readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor The computer- readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to access ingredient information for the feed ingredient, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule in the at least one fatty acid, optionally, a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed ingredient, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed ingredient, and an ingredient amount indicating the amount of the feed ingredient, generate a MFDI of a feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count, generate a palmitic acid effect (PPA) for the feed ingredient, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid amount, optionally, generate a stearic acid effect (PSA) for the feed ingredient, wherein the stearic acid effect is proportional to the stearic acid amount, and generate the MSI of the feed ingredient based on the MFDI of the feed ingredient, the palmitic acid effect, and, optionally, the stearic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI of the feed ingredient decreases the MSI of the feed ingredient, an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed ingredient, and an increase in the stearic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed ingredient.

[0019] In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium may include computer-readable program code configured to generate a MSI of a feed ingredient that includes at least one fatty acid. The computer-readable program code may include computer- readable program code configured to access ingredient information for the feed ingredient, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, optionally, a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed ingredient, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed ingredient, and an ingredient amount indicating the amount of the feed ingredient, computer-readable program code configured to generate a MFDI of the feed ingredient based at least in part on the double bond count, computer- readable program code configured to generate a palmitic acid effect (Ρ?Α) for the feed ingredient according to the following equation: _P A = (palmitic acid amount)/(ingredient amount), optionally, computer-readable program code configured to generating a stearic acid effect (PSA) for the feed ingredient according to the following equation: _SA = (stearic acid amount)/(ingredient amount), and computer-readable program code configured to generate the MSI of the feed ingredient based on the MFDI, the palmitic acid effect, and, optionally, the stearic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI decreases the MSI, an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI, and an increase in the stearic acid effect increases the MSI.

[0020] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a MSI of a feed composition that includes at least one feed ingredient, wherein the at least one feed ingredient comprises at least one fatty acid, may include, by a processor accessing ingredient information for the feed composition, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed composition, and, optionally, an ingredient ratio indicating a ratio of at least one ingredient of the feed composition, accessing feed composition information comprising a total amount of the feed composition, generating a MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count, generating a palmitic acid effect (PPA) for the feed composition, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid amount, and generating the MSI of the feed composition based on a sum of each MFDI for each ingredient in the feed composition and the palmitic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI decreases the MSI, and an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI.

[0021] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for generating a MSI of a feed composition that includes at least one feed ingredient, wherein the at least one feed ingredient includes at least one fatty acid, may include, by a processor accessing ingredient information for the feed composition, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of fatty acid carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, optionally, a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed composition, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed composition, and, optionally, an ingredient ratio indicating a ratio of at least one ingredient of the feed composition, accessing feed composition information comprising a total amount of the feed composition, generating a MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count, generating a palmitic acid effect (Ρ?Α) for the feed composition, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid amount, optionally, generating a stearic acid effect (PSA) for the feed composition, wherein the stearic acid effect is proportional to the stearic acid amount, and generating the MSI of the feed composition based on a sum of each MFDI for each ingredient in the feed composition, the palmitic acid effect, and, optionally, the stearic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the sum of the MFDI for each of the at least one feed ingredient decreases the MSI of the feed composition, an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed composition, and an increase in the stearic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed composition.

[0022] In an embodiment, a system for generating a MSI of a feed composition that includes at least one feed ingredient, where the feed ingredient comprises at least one fatty acid, may include a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor. The computer-readable storage medium may include one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to access ingredient information for the feed composition, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule in the at least one fatty acid, optionally, a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed composition, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed composition, and, optionally, an ingredient ratio indicating a ratio of at least one ingredient of the feed composition, access feed composition information comprising a total amount of the feed composition, generate a MFDI of a feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count, generate a palmitic acid effect (PPA) for the feed composition, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid amount, optionally generating a stearic acid effect (PSA) for the feed composition, wherein the stearic acid effect is proportional to the stearic acid amount, and generate the MSI of the feed composition based on the MFDI of the feed composition, the palmitic acid effect, and, optionally, the stearic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI of the feed composition decreases the MSI of the feed composition, an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed composition, and an increase in the stearic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed composition.

[0023] In an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium may include computer-readable program code configured to generate a MSI of a feed composition comprising at least one feed ingredient, where the at least one feed ingredient comprises at least one fatty acid. The computer-readable program code may include computer-readable program code configured to access ingredient information for the feed composition, the ingredient information comprising a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule of the at least one fatty acid, optionally, a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed composition, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed composition, and, optionally, an ingredient ratio indicating a ratio of at least one feed ingredient of the feed composition, computer-readable program code configured to access feed composition information comprising a total amount of the feed composition, computer-readable program code configured to generate a MFDI of the feed composition based at least in part on the double bond count, computer-readable program code configured to generate a palmitic acid effect (P _P A) for the feed composition, wherein the palmitic acid effect is proportional to the palmitic acid amount, optionally, computer-readable program code configured to generating a stearic acid effect (PSA) for the feed composition, wherein the stearic acid effect is proportional to the stearic acid effect, and computer-readable program code configured to generate the MSI of the feed composition based on the MFDI of the feed composition, the palmitic acid effect, and, optionally, the stearic acid effect. In some embodiments, an increase in the MFDI of the feed composition decreases the MSI of the feed composition, an increase in the palmitic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed composition, and an increase in the stearic acid effect increases the MSI of the feed composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram of a method of preparing a feed composition for ruminants according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative method of preparing a feed composition for ruminants according to various embodiments. [0026] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative feed composition indexing system according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative feed composition indexing system according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates various embodiments of a computing device for implementing the various methods and processes described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

[0030] As used in this document, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to."

[0031] The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this application, the respective meanings set forth below.

[0032] A "ruminant" is a class of mammal with a multiple chamber stomach that gives the animal an ability to digest cellulose-based food by softening it within the first chamber (rumen) of the stomach and regurgitating the semi-digested mass. The regurgitate, known as cud, is then chewed again by the ruminant. Specific examples of ruminants include, but are not limited to, cattle, bison, buffaloes, yaks, camels, llamas, giraffes, deer, pronghorns, antelopes, sheep, and goats. The milk produced by ruminants is widely used in a variety of dairy-based products. Dairy cows are of considerable commercial significance for the production of milk and processed dairy products such as, for example, yogurt, cheese, whey, and ice cream.

[0033] "Feed" refers to the total diet given to a ruminant for consumption. Feed includes any feed composition and roughage provided to a ruminant.

[0034] "Feed composition" (or "dietary composition" or "feed product") refers to a portion of the feed for ruminants that includes additional ingredients that do not include roughage. For example, the feed composition may include fatty acids and/or various ingredients to enhance the nutrients for the feed for ruminants, as described in greater detail herein.

[0035] "Feed ingredient" refers to an ingredient as part of a feed, a feed composition, or a feed product. A feed ingredient may be a single chemical substance. For example, a single chemical substance feed ingredient may be a vitamin, a fatty acid compound, a mineral compound, or an antioxidant. A feed ingredient may be a feed product such as a vitamin premix, a mineral premix, a fatty acid premix, an energy concentrate feed product, or a protein concentrate feed product. A feed ingredient may also be a grain such as corn or wheat, a roughage such as hay or grass, a silage such as corn silage or hay silage, an oilseed such as soy beans or cottonseeds, an oilseed meal such as soymeal or rapeseed meal, an algae, or a yeast.

[0036] "Roughage" refers to a portion of the feed for ruminants that includes silage, haylage, hay, straw, and/or the like. In some embodiments, silage may be a primary component of the roughage. Thus, "silage" and "roughage" may be used interchangeably herein. Silage refers to chopped green forage, such as, for example, grass, legumes, and field corn. The silage is placed in a structure or a container that is designed to exclude air. The silage is then fermented in the structure or container, thereby retarding spoilage. Silage can have a water content of about 60% to about 80% by weight.

[0037] "Double Bond Count (DBC)" of a fatty acid refers to the number of carbon-carbon double bonds in each fatty acid molecule. For example, palmitoleic acid (CI 6: 1) has a DBC of 1, oleic acid (CI 8: 1) has a DBC of 1, linoleic acid (CI 8:2) has a DBC of 2, lenolenic acid (C18:3) has a DBC of 3, and arachidonic acid (C20:4) has a DBC of 4.

[0038] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a lipid number nomenclature describing the lipid numbers of fatty acids will be used for fatty acid naming. The lipid number nomenclature is represented by C##:D, where ## is the number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid, and D is the number of double bonds in the fatty acid. For example, CI 6:0 is the nomenclature for palmitic acid which has 16 carbon atoms and no double bonds, and CI 8:2 is the nomenclature for linoleic acid which has 18 carbon atoms and two double bonds.

[0039] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a Milk Fat Depression Index (MFDI) may be used to evaluate a particular feed, feed ingredient, feed product or feed compositon's effect on decreasing milk fat content. "Milk Fat Depression" (MFD) refers to a depression of fat in milk. MFD may be caused by a particular feed and may occur even when milk volume or yield of other milk constituents are not affected. For example, MFD may represent a level of milk fat production that is below a genetic potential of the cow, such as, for example, less than or equal to about 3.2% by weight of fat in the milk produced by a Holstein cow or less than or equal to about 4.2% by weight of fat in the milk produced by a Jersey cow, relative to cows that produce milk having a typical milk fat composition. In addition, MFDI may be observed when the produced ratio of milk fat to milk protein is less than or equal to about 1 for Holstein cows relative to cows producing a typical milk fat composition. [0040] MFDI of a feed, a feed composition, or roughage may be used as a tool in feed planning to regulate milk fat or solids content. When a feed includes both a feed composition and roughage, the MFDI of both may affect the MFDI of the feed (total diet). Therefore, MFDI can be used in a diet calculation to achieve a desired effect on milk fat. For example, if someone wants to decrease milk fat content, a feed having a high MFDI may be used, and unsaturated fatty acid may be added. In contrast, if someone wants to increase milk fat content, a feed having a low MFDI may be used, and one or more additional saturated fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, or both, may be added.

[0041] MFDI of a fatty acid in a feed or feed composition may be calculated such that the fatty acid in the feed or the feed composition may have a coefficient that may be used to calculate the effect of the feed or the feed composition on milk fat synthesis. The coefficient for a fatty acid is the DBC of the fatty acid. The MFDI of a feed ingredient may be based at least in part on the DBC, the amount of the fatty acid in the ingredient, the total amount of the ingredient, or any combination thereof. The amount may be mass, weight, mole, volume, or a combination thereof. For example, the MFDI for a feed or a feed composition may be calculated as a sum of a weight ratio of each fatty acid in the feed or the feed composition times the DBC of the respective fatty acid, which is shown in Equation (1) below:

∑ Mass of a fatty acid (g) * DBC of the fatty acid

total dry mass of feed or dietary composition (kg) where the total dry mass refers to a mass with excess water removed. The MFDI value may have a unit of (mass of fatty acid)/(dry mass of feed or dietary composition) (for instance, g/kg), although for convenience, it is indicated by a unitless numerical value herein.

[0042] A "neutral" feed has a MFDI of about 25 to about 30. A neutral feed composition also has less than about 5 grams of palmitic acid (CI 6:0) per kilogram of total dry mass of feed composition. [0043] A "positive" feed has a MFDI of less than about 30. In one embodiment, a positive feed may have about 35 to about 40 grams of palmitic acid (CI 6:0) per kilogram of total dry mass of feed. When a neutral feed is replaced with a positive feed, the milk fat may be increased by about 0.25 units to about 0.30 units, the milk protein may be increased by about 0 units to about 0.1 units, or the milk yield may be increased by about 1 kilogram to about 2 kilograms, relative to normal milk production of a ruminant.

[0044] A "negative" feed has a MFDI of greater than about 50. In one embodiment, a negative feed may have less than about 5 grams of palmitic acid (C16:0) per kilogram of total dry mass of feed. When a neutral feed is replaced with a negative feed, the milk fat may be decreased by about 0.20 units to about 0.30 units, the milk protein may be decreased by about 0.05 units to about 0.1 units, and the milk yield may be increased by about 0.5 kilogram to about 1 kilogram, relative to normal milk production of a ruminant.

[0045] The present disclosure relates generally to feed, feed ingredients, or feed compositions such as supplements, premixes, compound feed, pelleted feed and the like that can be fed to ruminants for purposes of affecting milk production in the ruminant. Particularly, the feed compositions described herein may be fed to a ruminant to increase the amount of milk produced by the ruminant and/or to increase the fat content of the milk produced by the ruminant, as described in greater detail herein. Specific compositions described herein may generally have a low MFDI.

[0046] In some embodiments, the MFDI of a feed composition may be about 10 to about 40. For example, the MFDI may be about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 25, about 27, about 30, about 32, about 33, about 35, about 38, about 40, or any value or range between any two of these values (including endpoints). In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 16 to about 38. In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 17 to about 35. In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 18 to about 33. In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 19 to about 32. In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 20 to about 30. In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 20 to about 27. In other embodiments, the MFDI may be about 20 to about 25.

[0047] Roughage (or silage) may have its own MFDI, which varies depending upon the raw materials and/or maturity of the raw materials. Silage may include, for instance, grass silage and/or maize silage. For example, the MFDI value for normal grass silage, may be about 10 to about 70. For example, the MFDI value of timothy-meadow fescue may be determined based on the stage of maturity in harvesting. The digestibility (D- value) of organic matter describes the maturity. The silage may be harvested at a very early stage, which results in a high D-value and a high MFDI. The silage may be harvested at a late stage of maturity, which results in a lower D-value and a lower MFDI. When the D- value is greater than about 720, the typical MFDI of such silage can be about 50 to about 55 with a CI 6:0 content of about 3.5 grams per kilogram. When the D-value is about 680 to about 720, the typical MFDI can be about 40 to about 50 with a C16:0 content of about 3.0 g/kg. When the D-value is about 640 to about 680, the typical MFDI can be about 30 to about 40 with a C16:0 content of about 2.5 g/kg. When the D-value is less than about 640, the typical MFDI can be less than about 30 with a C16:0 content of about 2.0 g/kg. For example, red clover silages typically have a MFDI of about 40 to about 50 when the D-value is greater than about 650. When D-values are about 610 to about 650, the MFDI can be about 30 to about 40. When D-values are below about 610, the MFDI can be below about 30. Typical CI 6:0 content for red clover silage can be about 2 to about 3 grams per kilogram.

[0048] The total intake of MFDI by a ruminant may vary depending upon the MFDI of the feed composition (such as a supplement or a concentrate), the MFDI of the roughage, and the relative amount of the feed composition and the roughage consumed. In one embodiment, the total diet MFDI may be about 15 to about 100. Adding CI 6:0 to the feed could reduce the MFDI. For example, having at least about 10% of the C16:0 in a feed could lead to a total MFDI value of about 30 to about 40. In one embodiment, the ratio of the roughage in a total diet may be about 15% to about 90%. The MFDI in the feed may be high even with a "positive" feed composition if there is high D-value roughage at feeding. For example, a cow producing 30 kilograms of milk can consume about 8 kilograms of feed composition if the roughage D-value is greater than about 720. In some embodiments, the cow may have an intake of about 12 kilograms of roughage in addition to the about 8 kilograms of feed composition. When the feed composition is positive, the intake of CI 6:0 can be about 18 grams per kilogram of feed dry mass (roughage plus feed composition) and the total MFDI value of the feed can be about 40 to about 45, with a total intake of CI 6:0 of about 12 grams per kilogram of milk production. When the feed composition is neutral, the total MFDI of the feed can be approximately the same as the positive feed composition (about 40 to about 45), with a total intake of C16:0 of about 3 to about 4 grams per kilogram of feed dry mass. When the feed composition is negative, the total MFDI of the feed is about 50 to about 55, with a total intake of CI 6:0 of about 3 to about 4 grams per kilogram of feed dry mass.

[0049] For example, the cow may consume about 10.5 kilograms of feed composition if the roughage D-value is less than about 640. In some embodiments, the cow may have an intake of about 9.5 kilograms of roughage in addition to the about 10.5 kilograms of feed composition. When the feed composition is positive, the intake of CI 6:0 can be 22 grams per kilogram of feed dry mass (roughage plus feed composition), and the total MFDI value of the feed can be about 30, with a total intake of C16:0 of about 15 grams per kilogram of milk production. When the feed composition is neutral, the total MFDI of the feed can be the same as the positive feed composition (about 30), having a C16:0 of about 22 grams per kilogram of feed dry mass. When the feed composition is negative, the total MFDI can be about 42, with a C16:0 of about 3 grams per kilogram of feed dry mass.

[0050] In an embodiment, a ruminant may be fed with a diet including the feed composition and a roughage such that the diet has a total MFDI of about 20 to about 45. In such an embodiment, the diet may have a ratio of feed composition to roughage of about 1 :2 to about 2: 1 by weight.

[0051] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a Milk Solids Index (MSI) may be used to indicate the efficacy of a feed, a feed ingredient, a feed composition, a feed product, and/or a particular ingredient of a feed product. The MSI may be calculated based on the composition of a particular feed and demonstrates, among other things, that all of the energy that a cow may receive from feed products is not equal. In some embodiments, the MSI may be used to anticipate the feed efficacy for an individual ruminant or a whole farm based on the composition of feed given to the ruminant or ruminants. In general, a feed with a high MSI may indicate that a ruminant that is fed with the feed may have a higher milk solids yield such as fat, protein, lactose, or a combination thereof than a ruminant fed with a feed with a lower MSI. A milk producer using a feed product with a higher MSI may achieve a better yield compared with a milk producer using a lower MSI feed product.

[0052] In some embodiments, the MSI for an ingredient may be determined based on ingredient information for the feed ingredient, including, without limitation, a DBC, a palmitic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a palmitic acid compound in the feed ingredient, optionally a stearic acid amount that corresponds with the amount of a stearic acid compound in the feed ingredient, and an ingredient amount indicating the total amount of the feed ingredient. A MFDI of the feed ingredient may be determined according to some embodiments described herein. A palmitic acid effect (P _P A) may be determined for the feed ingredient, where the _P A is proportional to the palmitic acid compound amount in the feed ingredient. Optionally, a stearic acid effect (PSA) may be determined for the feed ingredient, where the SA is proportional to the stearic acid compound amount in the feed ingredient. In some embodiments, the MSI may be determined based on the MFDI and the P _P A- In some embodiments, the MSI may be determined based on the MFDI, the P _P A, and the SA- In some embodiments, the MSI may be determined such that an increase in the MFDI decreases the MSI and an increase in the P _P A increases the MSI, and optionally an increase in the PSA increases the MSI. The amount may be measured by mass, weight, mole, volume, or a combination thereof.

[0053] In some embodiments, the MSI for an ingredient may be calculated according to the following Equation (2A):

Milk Solids Index = ¾ - MFDI + P _SA + 3 P _PA ,

where Ko is a key value for determining MSI. In some embodiments, Ko may equal 100. In some embodiments, the MSI for an ingredient may be calculated according to the following Equation (2B):

Milk Solids Index = Ko - MFDI + 3 P _PA .

In some embodiments, PSA may be calculated according to the following Equation (3):

PSA = amount of stearic acid/total amount of feed composition.

In some embodiments, P _PA may be calculated according to the following Equation (4):

P _P A = amount of palmitic acid/total amount of feed composition.

[0054] In some embodiment, the MSI, PSA, and P _P A values may have a unit of (mass)/(mass) (for instance, g/kg), although for convenience, they are indicated by a unitless numerical value herein. In some embodiments, the P _P A may be from about 20 to about 500, from about 20 to about 30, from about 30 to about 40, from about 40 to about 60, from about 60 to about 150, from about 150 to about 300, and from about 250 to about 500. In some embodiments, the PSA may be from about 0 to about 500, from about 0 to about 5, from about 5 to about 10, from about 10 to about 20, from about 20 to about 30, from about 30 to about 40, from about 40 to about 60, from about 60 to about 150, from about 150 to about 300, and from about 250 to about 500. In some embodiments, the MSI for a feed product may be calculated as the sum of the MSI for each ingredient in the feed product multiplied by the weight percentage of the particular ingredient according to the following Equation (5):

Milk Solids Index of the feed composition = ∑^(Milk Solids Index for ingredient) _; _„ x (ingredient ratio) _; _„,

where the ingredient ratio is configured to indicate a percent by weight of an ingredient in the feed composition, in particular, (ingredient ratio) = (ingredient amount)/(total amount of the feed composition). The amount may be mass, weight, mole, volume or a combination thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments, the MSI of a feed composition may be about 80 to about 900. For example, the MSI may be about 50, about 70, about 80, about 85, about 90, about 100, about 150, about 165, about 185, about 200, about 250, about 300, about 400, about 450, about 500, about 600, about 700, about 800, about 900, about 1000, about 2000, or any value or range between any two of these values (including endpoints). In other embodiments, the MSI may be about 100 to about 600. In other embodiments, the MSI may be about 150 to about 550. In other embodiments, the MSI may be about 400 to about 1000. In other embodiments, the MSI may be about 150 to about 450. In other embodiments, the MSI may be about 500 to about 1500.

[0056] When a ruminant consumes feed, the fat in the feed can be modified by the ruminant to provide a milk fat profile that is different from the profile of fat in the feed. All fats which are not completely inert in the rumen may decrease rumen digestibility of the feed material. Milk composition and fat quality can be influenced by the diet of the ruminant. For example, oil feeding can have negative effects on both rumen function and milk formation. As a result of the oil feeding, the milk protein concentration is lowered, the fat concentration is decreased, and the proportion of trans fatty acids is increased. These have been connected especially to an increase in the harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and to a decrease in the beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in human blood when the milk is consumed. In addition, the properties of the milk fat during industrial milk processing are weakened. A high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk can also cause taste defects and preservation problems. A typical fatty acid composition of milk fat may contain more than about 70% by weight of saturated fatty acids and a total amount of trans fatty acids may vary in the range of about 3% to about 10% by weight. When vegetable oil is added into the feed, the proportion of trans fatty acids may rise to more than about 10% by weight.

[0057] One way to reduce or eliminate the detrimental effect of oil feeding is to prevent triglyceride fat hydrolysis. Fat hydrolysis can be decreased, for example, by protecting fats with formaldehyde treated casein. Another alternative is to make insoluble fatty acid calcium salts whereby hydrogenation in rumen can be avoided. However, fatty acid salts have a pungent taste, which can limit their usability in feeds and can result in decreased feed intake. The salts may also impact the pelletizing process of the feed. This disclosure provides that the negative side effects of the oil feeding may be reduced by limiting the inclusion of unsaturated fatty acids such as CI 8: 1, CI 8:2, and CI 8:3 fatty acids in the ruminant feed or feed composition. Reduction of these fatty acids in the feed composition of feed for ruminants may be accomplished through monitoring the MFDI of the feed composition.

[0058] Accordingly, the feed composition described herein allows for the transfer of palmitic acid from the feed via the digestive tract into the blood circulation of a ruminant. This improves the energy efficiency of milk production of the ruminant. When the utilization of energy becomes more efficient, the milk production increases or the concentrations or amounts of milk solids such as protein and fat in the milk rise. Especially, the feed composition enhances fat synthesis in the mammary gland by bringing milk fat components to the cell and therefore the energy consuming synthesis in the mammary gland may be reduced or be made unnecessary. Thus, glucose may be more efficiently used for lactose production whereupon milk production increases. The milk protein content rises since there may be no need to produce glucose from amino acids. Thus, the ruminant therefore may not lose as much weight at the beginning of the lactation period.

[0059] In the various embodiments described herein, the feed composition for ruminants may include at least one fatty acid component and at least one feed ingredient. The at least one fatty acid component may have at least one fatty acid and a double bond count that corresponds to a number of carbon-carbon double bonds in a fatty acid molecule.

[0060] The systems for determining MFDI and/or MSI ("feed composition indexing system" or "indexing system") described according to some embodiments provides multiple technological advantages and technical effects on processes and techniques, including processes and techniques external to the indexing system. Using conventional techniques, determining the effectiveness of a feed composition and the impact of particular ingredients thereof are primarily a manual, trial-and-error process that involves time consuming and costly research that is typically not practical for a feed and/or dairy producer. Accordingly, individual feed producers and dairy producers have not been able to incorporate such information into their processes.

[0061] The systems and methods described according to some embodiments may provide information about the effectiveness of a feed composition and/or a particular ingredient thereof through the MFDI and/or MSI values that have heretofore been unavailable to feed and/or diary producers, which, as described herein, may allow a dairy producer to directly affect the milk solids (such as fat, protein or lactose) content of milk produced by and/or the milk yield of ruminants. In addition, the systems and methods described according to some embodiments may provide such information in substantially real-time and in the field (for instance, at a production facility), where they may not have access to conventional information sources used to make such determinations. Furthermore, the systems and methods described according to some embodiments may transform ingredient information of a feed ingredient and/or a feed composition into MFDI and/or MSI information capable of indicating the effectiveness of the feed ingredient and/or feed composition. Accordingly, the methods and systems provide technological advantages that are beyond what is well- understood and conventional within the field of feed composition and dairy production technology. In this manner, the methods and indexing systems described according to some embodiments are able to provide more accurate, comprehensive and efficient feed effectiveness information compared to those available using existing technology.

[0062] FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram of a representative method of preparing a feed composition for consumption by a ruminant. In various embodiments, the feed composition may be formulated in a manner so that when consumed by the ruminant, the feed composition maximizes particular qualities in the milk produced by the ruminant, as well as an amount of milk or milk solids produced by the ruminant, as described in greater detail herein. The feed composition also provides a MFDI of about 15 to about 40. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be substantially a solid feed composition, including, but not limited to, a capsule, a tablet, a pellet, or a granular material. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be a compound feed, an energy concentrate, a protein concentrate, a supplement, or a premix.

[0063] In various embodiments, the components described herein with respect to FIG. 1 may generally be combined in any order and/or any combination, and are not limited by the order described herein. In some embodiments, a feed composition may be prepared by providing 105 at least one feed ingredient and adding 110 at least one fatty acid to the feed ingredient. Thus, processes 105 and 110 result in combining the at least one feed ingredient and the at least one fatty acid to obtain the feed composition.

[0064] In various embodiments, one or more other ingredients may be added 115 to the feed composition. The other ingredients may be added 115 at substantially the same time as processes 105 and 110, may be added subsequent to processes 105 and 110, may be added prior to processes 105 and 110, or may be added during process 120, as described in greater detail herein. Illustrative examples of other ingredients that may be added 115 include a binding agent, a bulking agent, a filler, and the like, or a combination thereof. The binding agent may provide adhesive properties to the feed composition, particularly so that the feed composition does not fall apart in various forms such as pellet and tablet forms. Examples of binding agents may include polysaccharides (such as starch), proteins, and the like, or a combination thereof. The bulking agent may generally increase the bulk of the feed composition without affecting the taste of the feed composition. Examples of bulking agents may include silicate, kaolin, clay, and/or the like. The filler may generally be used to increase bulk, weight, viscosity, opacity, strength, and/or the like. Examples of filler may include gluten feed, sunflower hulls, distillers grains, guar hulls, wheat middlings, rice hulls, rice bran, oilseed meals, dried blood meal, animal byproduct meal, fish byproduct meal, dried fish solubles, feather meal, poultry byproducts, meat meal, bone meal, dried whey, soy protein concentrate, soy flour, yeast, wheat, oats, grain sorghum, corn feed meal, algae meal, rye, corn, barley, aspirated grain fractions, brewers dried grains, corn flower, corn gluten meal, feeding oat meal, sorghum grain flour, wheat mill run, wheat red dog, hominy feed, wheat flower, wheat bran, wheat germ meal, oat groats, rye middlings, cotyledon fiber, algae meal, and/or ground grains. [0065] In various embodiments, the feed composition may be processed 120 to obtain a final mixture. In some embodiments, processing 120 may include forming the feed composition into a capsule, a shell, a pellet, a tablet, a granular material, and/or the like. Accordingly, processing 120 may include one or more of pressing, molding, extruding, expanding, grinding, pelletizing, encapsulating, granulating and/or the like. Pressing may include, for example, applying a pressure to an amount of the feed composition. Molding may include, for example, open molding, compression molding, injection molding, centrifugal molding, or the like. Extruding may include, for example, forming an amount of the feed composition by forcing the feed composition through a die having a desired shape and size.

[0066] Grinding may be performed by various grinding devices known to those having ordinary skill in the art, such as a hammer mill, a roller mill, a disk mill, or the like. The feed composition and/or portions thereof may be ground to various sizes, such as particle size (for instance, measured in millimeters), mesh sizes, surface areas, or the like. According to some embodiments, the feed composition and/or portions thereof may be ground to an average particle size of about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm. More particularly, the feed composition may be ground to produce a granular material having an average particle size of about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 3.0 mm, or any value or range between any two of these values. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be ground so that about 20% to 50%> of the ground feed composition is retained by a mesh having openings with a size of about 10 mm and so that about 70%) to about 90%> of the ground feed composition is retained by a mesh having openings with a size of about 1 mm. In some embodiments, the feed compositions and/or various portions thereof may have a varying distribution of particle sizes based upon the ingredients. For example, in embodiments containing one or more wheat ingredients, the particle size may be distributed so that about 95% of the ground wheat ingredients are retained by a mesh having openings with a size of about 0.0625 mm and so that about 65% of the ground wheat ingredients are retained by a mesh having openings with a size of about 1.0 mm. In another example, such as embodiments containing one or more barley ingredients, the particle size may be distributed so that about 95% of the ground barley ingredients are retained by a mesh having openings with a size of about 0.0625 mm and so that about 60% of the ground barley ingredients are retained by a mesh having openings with a size of about 1.0 mm. The varying mesh sizes of each ingredient may be independent of mesh sizes for other ingredients.

[0067] Grinding may provide various benefits, such as improving certain characteristics of the feed ingredient and/or the feed composition formed therefrom. For instance, even and fine particle size may improve the mixing of different ingredients. According to certain embodiments, grinding may be configured to decrease a particle size of certain components of the feed composition, for example, to increase the surface area open for enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, which may improve the digestibility of nutrients, and/or to increase the palatability of the feed.

[0068] In some embodiments, the granular material or powder may be used in subsequent processes such as molding, extrusion, and/or tableting. In some embodiments, processing 120 may include drying the feed composition. Drying may be performed before or after further processing. Drying may generally be completed to remove any excess water or other undesired materials, as well as to provide a material that is suitable for encapsulation, pelleting, extrusion, grinding, pressing and/or the like.

[0069] "Granular material", as used herein, refers to a conglomeration of discrete solid, macroscopic particles and is meant to encompass a wide variety of material types, shapes, and sizes. Granular material includes powders as a subset, but also includes groups of larger particles. Granular material may be particularly well-suited for tableting and encapsulation, as well as molding.

[0070] In various embodiments, the feed ingredient may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 20% to about 70%, about 10% to about 40%, or about 50%) to about 70%) by weight of the feed composition. In particular embodiments, the feed ingredient may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 20% by weight, about 25%) by weight, about 30%> by weight, about 35% by weight, about 40%> by weight, about 45%) by weight, about 50%> by weight, about 55% by weight, about 60%> by weight, about 65%o by weight, about 70%> by weight, or any value or range between any two of these values (including endpoints).

[0071] In various embodiments, the feed ingredient may include at least one protein material, at least one fibrous material, at least one amino acid, at least one amino acid derivative, at least one vitamin, at least one trace element, at least one mineral, at least one glucogenic precursor, at least one antioxidant, at least one prebiotics, at least one probiotics, at least one antimicrobial, or a combination thereof. The feed ingredient may include various portions generally included in particular amounts that are sufficient to provide beneficial nutritional and dietary needs of the ruminant that is to consume the feed composition. For example, the feed ingredient may include a protein portion and a vitamin portion, each in an amount sufficient to provide beneficial nutritional and dietary needs of the ruminant.

[0072] In various embodiments, the glucogenic precursor may include at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, molasses, propionate, glycerine, propane diol, calcium propionate, propionic acid, octanoic acid, organic acid, polyol, steam-exploded sawdust, steam-exploded wood chips, steam-exploded wheat straw, algae, algae meal, microalgae, and/or the like. The glucogenic precursor may generally be included in the feed ingredient to provide an energy source to the ruminant so as to prevent gluconeo genesis from occurring within the ruminant's body.

[0073] The antioxidant is not limited by this disclosure and may include any antioxidants or combination of antioxidants, particularly those used in animal feed and feed compositions. Illustrative examples of antioxidants may include alpha-carotene, beta- carotene, ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, anthracenes, ascorbyl palmitate, benzoic acid, calcium ascorbate, calcium propionate, calcium sorbate, citrate acid, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, erythorbic acid, formic acid, methylparaben, potassium bisulphite, potassium metabisulphite, potassium sorbate, propionic acid, propyl gallate, propyl paraben, resin guaiae, sodium ascorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium bisulphite, sodium metabisulphite, sodium nitrite, sodium propionate, sodium sorbate, sodium sulphite, sorbic acid, stannous chloride, sulphur dioxide, THBP (trihydroxy-butyrophenone), TBHQ (tertiary-butylhydroquinone), thiodipinic acid, tocopherols, polyphenol, carotenoid, flavonoids, flavones, quinones, and or the derivatives thereof.

[0074] In various embodiments, the vitamin may include any combination of vitamins including, without limitation, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and/or the like. Specific examples of vitamin B include thiamine (vitamin Bi), riboflavin (vitamin B ₂ ), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B ₅ ), pyridoxine (vitamin B ₆ ), biotin (vitamin B ₇ ), folic acid (vitamin B9), cobalamin (vitamin Bi ₂ ), and choline (vitamin B _p ).

[0075] In some embodiments, the feed ingredient may include an amount of carnitine. The carnitine may be included in the feed ingredient to aid in the breakdown of fatty acids to generate metabolic energy in the ruminant. In some embodiments, the carnitine may be present in a premix composition.

[0076] In some embodiments, the amino acid may be an essential amino acid, including any combination of leucine, lysine, histidine, valine, arginine, threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, methionine, selenomethionine, tryptophan, and/or any derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the amino acid may be a non-essential amino acid, including any combination of alanine, asparagine, aspartate, cysteine, selenocysteine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine, and/or any derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the amino acid may be carnitine. The amino acid and/or any derivative thereof may also include amino acids and derivatives of both non-essential and essential amino acids. The amino acid may generally be included in the feed ingredient to provide a nutritional aid in various physiological processes in the ruminant, such as, for example, increasing muscle mass, providing energy, aiding in recovery, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the amino acid may be obtained from a premix composition.

[0077] In various embodiments, the mineral may be any mineral that is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) mineral or a combination of such minerals. The mineral may further be obtained from any mineral source that provides a bioavailable mineral. In some embodiments, the mineral may be one or more of calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, selenium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, iodine, molybdenum, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the mineral may be an organic mineral. Example organic minerals include amino acids chelated minerals or amino acids glycinated minerals. In some embodiments, the mineral may be selected from one or more of a sodium salt, a calcium salt, a magnesium salt, a cobalt salt, a manganese salt, a potassium salt, an iron salt, a zinc salt, copper sulfate, copper oxide, selenium yeast, a chelated mineral, a glycinated mineral, and/or the like. Illustrative examples of sodium salts include monosodium phosphate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, disodium phosphate, sodium iodate, sodium iodide, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium sulfate, sodium selenite, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative examples of calcium salts include calcium acetate, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide, calcium iodate, calcium iodobehenate, calcium oxide, anhydrous calcium sulfate, calcium sulfate dehydrate, dicalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative magnesium salts include magnesium acetate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative cobalt salts include cobalt acetate, cobalt carbonate, cobalt chloride, cobalt oxide, cobalt sulfate, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative examples of manganese salts include manganese carbonate, manganese chloride, manganese citrate, manganese gluconate, manganese orthophosphate, manganese oxide, manganese phosphate, manganese sulfate, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative examples of potassium salts include potassium acetate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium chloride, potassium iodate, potassium iodide, potassium sulfate, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative examples of iron salts include iron ammonium citrate, iron carbonate, iron chloride, iron gluconate, iron oxide, iron phosphate, iron pyrophosphate, iron sulfate, reduced iron, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. Illustrative examples of zinc salts include zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc sulfate, and/or the like, or any combination thereof.

[0078] In some embodiments, prebiotics may be any substance or compositions that is capable of improving microbe population in a rumen and/or digestive tract of a ruminant. In some embodiments, the prebiotics may include fructo-oligosaccahrides, inulin, galacto-oligosaccahride, mannan-oligosaccahride, a yeast, a component of a yeast, a yeast extract, or a combination thereof. [0079] In some embodiments, the probiotics may include any substance or composition that is capable of improving microbe population in a rumen and/or digestive tract of a ruminant. In some embodiments, the prebiotics may include lactic acid-producing bacteria, live yeast cells, yeast culture, enzymes such as protease and amylase, or a combination thereof.

[0080] The antimicrobials may include, without limitation, monensin, bambermycin, lasalocid, salinomycin, an essential oil, an alkaloid, a sesquiterpene a terpene, or their derivative thereof.

[0081] In some embodiments, the feed composition may include a protein material. In some embodiments, the protein material used in the feed composition may be obtained from a protein source. Illustrative examples of protein sources may include one or more grains and/or oilseed meals. The grain is generally not limited by this disclosure and may be any edible grain, combination of grains, or grain by-product that is used as a protein source. Illustrative examples of grains include cereal grains such as barley, wheat, spelt wheat, rye, oats, triticale, rice, corn, buck wheat, quinoa, amaranthus, sorghum, and the like. Oilseed meal is generally derived from residue that remains after reserved oil is removed from oilseeds. The oilseed meal may be rich in protein and variable in residual fats and oils. Illustrative examples of protein material include rapeseed meal, soybean meal, sunflower meal, cottonseed meal, camelina meal, mustard seed meal, crambe seed meal, safflower meal, rice meal, peanut meal, corn gluten meal, corn gluten feed, wheat gluten, distillers dried grains, distillers dried grains with solubles, animal protein, and/or the like.

[0082] In some embodiments, the feed ingredient may include at least one fibrous material. The fibrous material may generally provide a source of fiber for the ruminant to lower cholesterol levels and promote proper digestive function. Illustrative examples of fibrous materials include wheat bran, wheat middlings, wheat mill run, oat hulls, oat bran, soya hulls, sugar beet pulp, grass meal, hay meal, alfalfa meal, alfalfa, straw, hay, algae, algae meal, microalgae, fruit peels, fruit pulps, and/or the like.

[0083] In various embodiments, the feed ingredient may include a micronutrient mixture. Micronutrient mixtures are not limited by this disclosure and may generally contain any micronutrient mixture now known or later developed. The micronutrient mixture may include various components, such as at least one vitamin, at least one trace element, or at least one mineral, as described in greater detail herein. In some embodiments, the micronutrient mixture may be present in a premix composition.

[0084] In various embodiments, the fatty acid component may generally include one or more free fatty acids, glycolipids, and/or other fatty acid derivatives. Free fatty acids may include unconjugated fatty acids, whereas glycolipids may be fatty acids conjugated with a carbohydrate. In some embodiments, the free fatty acids may include high saturated fatty acids. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may be present in the feed composition in an amount of at least about 10% by weight. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may be present in the feed composition in an amount of at least about 30% by weight. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may be present in the feed composition in an amount of at least about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 10% by weight to about 80% by weight of the feed composition. In particular embodiments, the fatty acid component may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 10% by weight, about 30%> by weight, about 35% by weight, about 40%> by weight, about 45% by weight, about 50%> by weight, about 55% by weight, about 60%> by weight, about 65 % by weight, about 70% by weight, about 75% by weight, about 80% by weight, about 85%, about 90%, or any value or range between any two of these values. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may represent about 10% to about 50%>, about 30%> to about 90%>, or about 40%) to about 60%) by weight of the feed composition.

[0085] In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may have a melting point of no less than about 40°C. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may have a melting point from about 45°C to about 55°C. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may have a melting point equal to or greater than about 60°C. For example, in some embodiments, the fatty acid component may have a melting point of about 60°C to about 80°C. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may have a melting point of about 63°C to about 65°C. In particular embodiments, the fatty acid component may have a melting point of about 60°C, about 63°C, about 65°C, about 70°C, about 75°C, about 80°C, or any value or range between any two of these values. The melting point may generally be selected so that it is a temperature that provides that the fatty acid is inert in the rumen environment.

[0086] In various embodiments, the fatty acid component may include at least one saturated fatty acid. For example, the fatty acid component may include 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more different saturated fatty acids. In some embodiments, the saturated fatty acid may be present in the fatty acid component in an amount that results in a ruminant consuming the feed composition to produce a desired quality and quantity of milk, as described in greater detail herein. Thus, in some embodiments, the saturated fatty acid may be present in an amount of about 90% by weight of the fatty acid component to about 100% by weight of the fatty acid component, including about 90%> by weight, about 91%> by weight, about 92% by weight, about 93% by weight, about 94%> by weight, about 95% by weight, about 96%> by weight, about 97% by weight, about 98% by weight, about 99% by weight, about 100% by weight, or any value or range between any two of these values. The saturated fatty acid is not limited by this disclosure, and may include any number of saturated fatty acids now known or later discovered, including all derivatives thereof. For example, derivatives of a saturated fatty acid may include salts, esters, amides, carbonates, carbamates, imides, anhydrides, alcohols, and/or the like.

[0087] As used herein, the term "salt" of the fatty acid may be any salt, including, but not limited to, a salts resulting from mixing a fatty acid with a base such as, without limitation, an oxide of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, a transition group metal, a aluminum family metal, a hydroxide of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, and an aluminum family metal. In all cases, the salt is used as an achiral reagent, which is not selected on the basis of any expected or known preference for interaction with or precipitation of a specific optical isomer of the products of this disclosure.

[0088] The term "fatty acid ester" as used herein means an ester of a fatty acid. For example, the fatty acid ester may be in a form of RCOOR'. R may be any saturated or unsaturated alkyl group including, without limitation, CIO, C12, C14, C16, C18, C20, and C24. R' may be any groups having from about 1 to about 1000 carbon atoms and with or without hetero atoms. In some embodiments, R' may have from about 1 to about 20, from about 3 to about 10, or from about 5 to about 15 carbon atoms. The hetero atoms may include, without limitation, N, O, S, P, Se, halogen, Si, and B. For example, R' may be a Ci_ ₆ alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl or t-butyl; a Ci_ ₆ alkoxyCi_ ₆ alkyl; a heterocyclyl, such as tetrahydrofuranyl; a C ₆ _ioaryloxyCi_ ₆ alkyl, such as benzyloxymethyl (BOM); a silyl, such as trimethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl and t-butyldiphenylsilyl; a cinnamyl; an allyl; a Ci_ ₆ alkyl which is mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, silyl, cyano or Ci_ ₆ aryl, wherein the aryl ring is unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three, residues selected from the group consisting of Ci_ ₇ alkyl, Ci_ ₇ alkoxy, halogen, nitro, cyano and CF ₃ ; or a Ci_ ₂ alkyl substituted by 9-fluorenyl. [0089] As used herein, a "fatty acid amide" may generally include amides of fatty acids where the fatty acid is bonded to an amide group. For example, the fatty acid amide may have a formula of RCONR'R". R may be any saturated or unsaturated alkyl group including, without limitation, CIO, C12, C14, C16, C18, C20, and C24. R' and R" may be any group having from about 1 to about 1000 carbon atoms and with or without hetero atoms. In some embodiments, R' may have from about 1 to about 20, from about 3 to about 10, or from about 5 to about 15 carbon atoms. The hetero atoms may include, without limitation, N, O, S, P, Se, halogen, Si, and B. For example, R' and R" each may be an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, an aralkyl, a cycloalkyl, a halogenated alkyl, or a heterocycloalkyl group.

[0090] A "fatty acid anhydride" may generally refer to a compound which results from the condensation of a fatty acid with a carboxylic acid. Illustrative examples of carboxylic acids that may be used to form a fatty acid anhydride include acetic acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid, and the like.

[0091] An "alcohol" of a fatty acid refers to a fatty acid having straight or branched, saturated, radical groups with 3-30 carbon atoms and one or more hydroxy groups. The alkyl portion of the alcohol component can be propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, or the like. One of skill in the art may appreciate that other alcohol groups may also be useful in the present disclosure.

[0092] In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may be oleic acid, an oleic acid isomer, an oleic acid isomer derivative, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the fatty acid component may be linoleic acid, a linoleic acid isomer, a linoleic acid isomer derivative, or a combination thereof. In further embodiments, the fatty acid component may be linolenic acid, a linolenic acid isomer, a linolenic acid isomer derivative, or a combination thereof. [0093] The fatty acid component may be a palmitic acid compound. The palmitic acid compound is not limited by this disclosure, and may include one or more of a conjugated palmitic acid, unconjugated palmitic acid, free palmitic acid, palmitic acid derivatives, and/or the like. Palmitic acid, also known as hexadecanoic acid, has a molecular formula of CH ₃ (CH ₂ )i ₄ C0 ₂ H. Specific examples of palmitic acid derivatives may include palmitic acid esters, palmitic acid amides, palmitic acid salts, palmitic acid carbonates, palmitic acid carbamates, palmitic acid imides, palmitic acid anhydrides, and/or the like, or any combination thereof. The palmitic acid compound may be present in the fatty acid component in an amount of at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 98%, by weight of the fatty acid component. In other embodiments, when the fatty acid component may be a palmitic acid compound, the fatty acid may be an amount of about 3% by weight to about 40%> by weight, about 3.5% by weight to about 15% by weight, and about 7% by weight to about 30% by weight of the feed composition. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein may be used as a booster or a supplement to other feed. In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may consist essentially of the palmitic acid compound. In other embodiments, the fatty acid component may be entirely composed of the palmitic acid compound. In some embodiment, the fatty acid component may consistent essentially of palmitic acid and stearic acid.

[0094] In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may include a stearic acid compound. The stearic acid compound is not limited by this disclosure, and may include conjugated stearic acid, unconjugated stearic acid, free stearic acid, stearic acid derivatives, and/or the like. Stearic acid, also known as octadecanoic acid, has a chemical formula of CH ₃ (CH ₂ ) ₁₆ C0 ₂ H. Specific examples of stearic acid derivatives may include stearic acid esters, stearic acid amides, stearic acid salts, stearic acid carbonates, stearic acid carbamates, stearic acid imides, stearic acid anhydrides, and/or the like. The amount of stearic acid may be present in the fatty acid component in an amount of about 50% or less, about 40% or less, about 30%) or less, about 20%> or less, or about 2% or less by weight of the fatty acid component. In particular embodiments, the stearic acid compound may include about 40% by weight of the fatty acid component, about 25% by weight of the fatty acid component, about 20% by weight of the fatty acid component, about 15% by weight of the fatty acid component, about 10%> by weight of the fatty acid component, about 5% by weight of the fatty acid component, or any value or range between any two of these values.

[0095] In some embodiments, the fatty acid component may include an unsaturated fatty acid. The term "unsaturated fatty acid" as used herein refers to any mono- and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids, and includes unsaturated trans fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids may contain at least one alkene or alkyne bond. In some embodiments, unsaturated fatty acid may contain two or more alkene groups in any position in the hydrocarbon chain. The unsaturation may or may not be present as a conjugated system of double bonds. Unsaturated fatty acids are not limited by this disclosure, and may include any number of unsaturated fatty acids now known or later discovered, including all derivatives thereof. For example, derivatives of an unsaturated fatty acid may include salts, esters, amides, anhydrides, alcohols, and/or the like, as previously described herein.

[0096] In some embodiments, the unsaturated fatty acids may be any unsaturated fatty acids. In some embodiments, the feed composition may include at least one CI 8: 1 fatty acid, at least one CI 8:2 fatty acid, at least one CI 8:3 fatty acid, or a combination thereof. In order to monitor the effect of the fatty acids in the feed composition on milk fat, the MFDI of the feed composition may be calculated using the DBCs of the respective fatty acids. In one embodiment, the MFDI may be calculated according to Equation (2) below: MFDI

(Mass of C18: 1 grams)) + (2 * Mass of C18: 2 (grams)) + (3 * Mass of C18: 3 (grams)) total dry mass of dietary composition (kilograms) In some embodiments, the feed composition may include fish oil. The DBC values for fish oil are 5 for C20:5 and 6 for C20:6.

[0097] In various embodiments, a desired amount of unsaturated fatty acid may be used in the fatty acid component to affect a desired quality of milk produced by the ruminant consuming the feed composition, as described in greater detail herein. Thus, in some embodiments, the fatty acid component may be substantially free of unsaturated fatty acids. As used herein with respect to unsaturated fatty acids, the term "substantially free" is understood to mean substantially no amount of unsaturated fatty acids or about 10% or less by weight of unsaturated fatty acids, including trace amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. Accordingly, the unsaturated fatty acid may be present in the fatty acid component in an amount of about 10% or less by weight of the fatty acid component, including about 10% or less by weight, about 5% or less by weight, about 4% or less by weight, about 3% or less by weight, about 2% or less by weight, about 1% or less by weight, about 0.5% or less by weight, about 0% by weight, or any value or range between any two of these values.

[0098] A surfactant may be added to facilitate the mixing of fatty acid components with other feed ingredients. In various embodiments, a surfactant may be combined with the feed ingredient and the fatty acid component to form a process mixture 120. In some embodiments, surfactant may be added with fatty acid 110. In some embodiments, surfactant may be added with other ingredients 115. The surfactant may be ionic or nonionic. In various embodiments, the surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of about 2 to about 12. In particular embodiments, the HLB of the surfactant may be about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, or any value or range between any two of these values.

[0099] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the fatty acid component may be contained when being added 110, 115, or both. In some embodiments, the fatty acid may be pre-contained prior to adding 110 the fatty acid to the feed ingredient. In other embodiments, the fatty acid may be contained as a result of the various processes 105, 110, 115, 120 described herein. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fatty acid component may generally be contained by at least one supermolecular structure. Supermolecular structures may include vesicular structures such as microemulsions, liposomes (vesicles), micelles, and reverse micelles. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of supermolecular structures. The liposomes (vesicles) may contain an aqueous volume that is entirely enclosed by a membrane composed of lipid molecules, such as phospholipids. In some embodiments, the liposomes may have a bilayer membrane. In some embodiments, the bilayer membrane may include at least one surfactant. In other embodiments, the bilayer membrane may include at least one surfactant and a palmitic acid compound. Examples of surfactants may include polyoxyethylene ethers and esters of fatty acids. In some embodiments, the surfactant may be lecithin. Micelles and reverse micelles are microscopic vesicles that contain amphipathic constituents but do not contain an aqueous volume that is entirely enclosed by a membrane. In micelles, the hydrophilic part of the amphipathic compound is on the outside (on the surface of the vesicle). In reverse micelles, the hydrophobic part of the amphipathic compound is on the outside. The reverse micelles may thus contain a polar core that can solubilize both water and macromolecules within the inverse micelle. As the volume of the core aqueous pool increases, the aqueous environment begins to match the physical and chemical characteristics of bulk water. The resulting inverse micelle may be referred to as a microemulsion of water in oil.

[0100] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the fatty acid may be contained in a core of a micelle or a vesicle. The core may include any number of particles therein in addition to the fatty acid. The core composition may be made of a core material that includes at least one of the protein material, the cellulosic material, the amino acid, and the amino acid derivative, as described in greater detail herein.

[0101] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the fatty acid component may be encapsulated. In some embodiments, the fatty acid may be pre-encapsulated prior to adding 110 the fatty acid to the feed ingredient. In other embodiments, the fatty acid may be encapsulated as a result of the various processes 105, 110, 115, 120 described herein. In some embodiments, the fatty acid may generally be encapsulated by a capsule. In some embodiments, the capsule may be a plurality of capsules. The capsule may include a capsule shell, which is made up of at least one polysaccharide or protein. In some embodiments, the capsule shell may include a polysaccharide, a protein, or a combination thereof. The polysaccharide may be agar, chitosan, or a combination thereof. Illustrative examples of capsule shells as described herein may include capsule shells including agar, gelatin, starch casein, chitosan, soya bean protein, safflower protein, alginates, gellan gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, phthalated gelatin, succinated gelatin, cellulosephthalate-acetate, polyvinylacetate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylacetate-phthalate, polymerisates of acrylic esters, polymerisates of methacrylic esters, and/or mixtures thereof.

[0102] In various embodiments, the feed composition may include an amount of water. The water may be included in an amount that is separate from any amounts of water that may be inherently present in any of the other ingredients described herein. The water may generally be present in the feed composition in an amount that is about 30% or less by weight, including about 0.5%> by weight, about 1% by weight, about 2% by weight, about 3% by weight, about 5% by weight, about 10% by weight, about 15% by weight, or any value or range between any two of these values (including endpoints).

[0103] In some embodiments, the surfactant may be combined 205 with the fatty acid component and water to form an emulsion, as depicted in FIG. 2. In some embodiment, the surfactant is present in the emulsion in an amount of about 0.1% by weight to about 50.0% by weight. In some embodiments, the surfactant is present in the emulsion in an amount of about 2% by weight to about 25% by weight. In some embodiments, the surfactant is present in the emulsion in an amount of about 1% by weight to 10% by weight.

[0104] The emulsion of the fatty acid component, water, and surfactant may form a plurality of micelles or vesicles. In some embodiments, the emulsion may include, for example, water, sodium palmitate, and palmitate. The combination 205 may include combining the fatty acid and the surfactant under pressure and a temperature. In some embodiments, the pressure may be about 1 atm to about 10 atm. In particular embodiments, the pressure may be about 1 atm, about 2 atm, about 3 atm, about 4 atm, about 5 atm, about 6 atm, about 7 atm, about 8 atm, about 9 atm, about 10 atm, or any value or range between any two of these values. In some embodiments, the temperature may be about room temperature, about 25°C, about 40°C, about 60°C, about 65°C, about 70°C, about 80°C, or any value or range between any two of these values. The emulsion may be combined 210 with the feed ingredient. In addition, other ingredients may be added 215. The resulting product may be processed 220 as described in greater detail herein to obtain the final product. In some embodiments, the emulsion may be a paste emulsion that is processed 220 by extruding, as described in greater detail herein. The resulting product may be a plurality of particles, pellets, or granular materials. In some embodiments, the emulsion may be processed 220 by drying the emulsion to provide a plurality of granular materials, as described in greater detail herein.

[0105] The surfactant is not limited by this disclosure, and may generally be any composition that is capable of emulsifying the feed composition. In some embodiments, the surfactant may be a nonionic surfactant. Specific examples of nonionic surfactants may include ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols, ethoxylated fatty acids, sorbitan derivatives, sucrose esters and derivatives, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers, fluorinated alkyl polyoxyethylene ethanols, and/or any combination thereof. Other examples of surfactants may include Representative surfactants may include, without limitation, polysorbate, butoxyethanol, soy lecithin, cephalin, castor oil ethoxylate, sorbitan monooleate, tallow ethoxylate, lauric acid, polyethylene glycol, calcium stearoyl dilaciate, sorbitan ester, polyethylene glycol ester, monoglyceride, acetylated monoglyceride, lactylated monoglyceride, polyoxyethylene stearate, polysorbate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, ammonium phosphatides, sodium or potassium or calcium salts of fatty acids, magnesium salts of fatty acids, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, sucrose esters of fatty acids sucroglycerides, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids polyglycerol polyricinoleate, propane- 1,2- diol esters of fatty acids, thermally oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate, lecithin, natural seed weed, natural seed gums, natural plant exudates, natural fruit extracts, animal skin and bone extracts, bio-synthetic gums, starches, fibers, sucrose esters, Tween, polyglycerol esters, sugar esters, castor oil, and ethoxylated castor oil, an ammonia solution, butoxyethanol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol polymers, polyethylene, methoxypolyethylene glycol, and/or any combination thereof. Examples of natural seed weed may include carrageenan, alginates, agar, agarose, fucellan, and xanthan gum or a combination thereof. Examples of natural seed gums may include guar gum, locust bean gum, tara gum, tamarind gum, and psillium gum. Examples of natural plant exudates are gum Arabic, tragacanth, karaya, and ghatti. Natural fruit extracts are, for example, low and high methoxyl pectins. Animal skin and bone extracts are, for example, gelatin A, gelatin B, and hydrolyzed gelatin. Gum Arabic is a natural food additive obtained from certain varieties of acacia. It is generally tasteless and odorless, and may be used in commercial food processing to thicken, emulsify, and/or stabilize foods. Guar gum is a gummy substance obtained from plants of the legume genera. Guar gum may also be used as a thickener and/or a stabilizer in commercial food processing. Xanthan gum is produced by fermentation of corn sugar, and may be used as a thickener, a surfactant, and/or a stabilizer of foods. In particular embodiments, gum Arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum, and/or pectin may be used in combination as an emulsion stabilizer. Illustrative examples of bio-synthetic gums may include xanthan, gellan, curdian, and pullulan. Examples of starches may include natural starch, chemically modified starch, physically modified starch, and enzymatically modified starch. Castor oil may be effective as a surfactant because of its ability to render oil soluble in water.

[0106] In various embodiments, the surfactant may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 0.01% by weight to about 5.0% by weight of the feed composition. In particular embodiments, the surfactant may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 0.01% by weight, about 0.05%> by weight, about 0.1 % by weight, about 0.2%> by weight, about 0.25%> by weight, about 0.3%> by weight, about 0.5%> by weight, about 0.6%> by weight, about 0.75%> by weight, about 1.0% by weight, about 1.25% by weight, about 1.5% by weight, about 1.75% by weight, about 2.0% by weight, about 3.0%> by weight, about 4.0%> by weight, or any value or range between any two of these values (including endpoints). [0107] In some embodiments, the surfactant may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 0.2% to about 2.0% by the weight of the saturated fatty acid. In some embodiments, the surfactant may be present in the feed composition by the weight of the saturated fatty acid in an amount of about 0.5% to about 1.5%. In further embodiments, the surfactant may be present in the feed composition in an amount of about 0.8% to about 1.2% by the weight of the saturated fatty acid.

[0108] The disclosure further provides methods for increasing milk fat content in ruminants. In one embodiment, a method may include providing the feed composition as described herein to the ruminant for ingestion. In particular embodiments, the feed composition may be a solid feed composition, as described in greater detail herein. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be provided as a supplement or a booster. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be admixed with roughage or other feeding materials to be provided to the ruminant. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be provided to the ruminant together with roughage or other feeding materials to provide a total feed MDI from about 15 to about 45. In some embodiments, the feed composition may be provided to the ruminant in an amount that the ruminant receives at least about 10 grams of palmitic acid per kilogram of milk produced by the ruminant each day. The amount may be based on the previous day's milk production by the ruminant, an average day based on the previous week's milk production by the ruminant, an average day based on the previous month's milk production by the ruminant, an average production of milk by the ruminant when not provided the feed composition, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the ruminant may be provided with additional amounts of the feed composition to make up for portions of the feed composition that are not consumed by the ruminant such as amounts that are spilled by the ruminant when consuming the feed composition and/or the like. [0109] In some embodiments, providing the feed composition to the ruminant for the ruminant to consume may result in an increase in production of milk, an increase in solids content, an increase in milk fat content, an increase in milk protein, an increase in milk lactose of the milk produced, or any combination thereof. These increases may generally be relative to a similar ruminant that does not receive the feed composition, an average of similar ruminants not receiving the feed composition, an average of the milk production quantity, solids, fat, protein, and/or lactose content of the same ruminant when not provided the feed composition, and/or the like. In particular embodiments, the milk production may increase by an amount of about 1% to about 10%, including about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%), about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, or any value or range between any two of these values. In particular embodiments, the milk fat content may increase by an amount of about 10% to about 15%, including about 10%, about 11%, about 12%), about 13%), about 14%, about 15%, or any value or range between any two of these values.

[0110] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative indexing system according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the indexing system 300 may include one or more server logic devices 310, which may generally include a processor, a non-transitory memory or other storage device for housing programming instructions, data or information regarding one or more applications, and other hardware, including, for example, the central processing unit (CPU) 505, read only memory (ROM) 510, random access memory (RAM) 515, communication ports 540, controller 520, and/or memory device 525 depicted in FIG. 5 and described below in reference thereto.

[0111] In some embodiments, the programming instructions may include a feed composition indexing application (the "indexing application") configured to, among other things, access ingredient information and determine MFDI and/or MSI values for a feed composition and/or particular ingredient thereof. The server logic devices 310 may be in operable communication with client logic devices 305, including, but not limited to, server computing devices, personal computers (PCs), kiosk computing devices, mobile computing devices, laptop computers, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computing devices, or any other logic and/or computing devices now known or developed in the future.

[0112] In some embodiments, the indexing application may be accessible through various platforms, such as a client application, a web-based application, over the Internet, and/or a mobile application (for example, a "mobile app" or "app"). According to some embodiments, the indexing application may be configured to operate on each client logic device 305 and/or to operate on a server computing device accessible to logic devices over a network, such as the Internet. All or some of the files, data and/or processes (for example, medical research information, analysis processes, or the like) used for accessing and/or the processing of ingredient information may be stored locally on each client logic device 305 and/or stored in a central location, such as server logic devices 310, and accessible over a network.

[0113] In an embodiment, one or more information sources 315 may be accessible by the client logic devices 305 and/or server logic devices 310. The information sources 315 may include any source of feed ingredient and/or feed composition information. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of information sources 315 may include, manufacturer and/or producer information, third-party databases, government agency information (for instance, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)), research databases, proprietary databases, user-provided information (for instance, dairy producer information provided through a client logic device 305) or the like. Although the information sources 315 are depicted as being separate from the logic devices 305, 310, embodiments are not so limited, as all or some of the one or more data stores may be stored in one or more of the logic devices.

[0114] In some embodiments, the indexing application may process the ingredient information received from the information sources 315. In some embodiments, the ingredient information may include, without limitation, DBC, a fatty acid amount indicating an amount of the at least one fatty acid in the feed ingredient, a total amount of the feed ingredient in the feed composition, a Ko value, a dry matter (DM) amount for the feed composition, an ingredient ratio (for instance, ingredient ratio = (ingredient amount)/(total amount of the feed composition)), or any other value or information described according to some embodiments herein. The amount may be mass, weight, mole, volume, or a combination thereof. The indexing application may be configured to analyze the ingredient information associated with an ingredient and determine the MFDI and/or MSI thereof in real-time or substantially realtime. In addition, the indexing application may be configured to analyze the ingredient information of the ingredients of a feed composition to determine the MFDI and/or MSI of the feed composition in real-time or substantially real-time. Accordingly, a user may operate the indexing application to determine the MFDI and/or MSI of an ingredient, a feed composition, or a total diet feed such as a total mixed ratio feed. In addition, a user may use the indexing application to determine the effect of a feed ingredient on the MFDI and/or MSI of a feed composition or total diet feed. For instance, a user may determine a first MSI value of a feed composition and may determine one or more alternative MSI values by determining MSI values for additional ingredients. In this manner, the indexing application may be configured to provide a feed and/or dairy producer with the effects of various ingredients on the MFDI and/or MSI of a feed composition or a total diet.

[0115] In some embodiments, the ingredient information may include secondary information unrelated to the content of the ingredient, including, without limitation, cost, need, and availability information. The secondary information may be used by the indexing application to determine various non-nutritional effects (or "cost effects") of using ingredients in a feed composition or a total diet. The secondary information may be used to determine various cost functions relating to a feed ingredient, a feed composition, or total diet. A non-limiting example of a cost effect is the return on investment (ROI) of a particular ingredient in terms of MSI, which may be determined based on the following Equation (6):

Milk Solids ROI = MSI/Cost Function (cost, need, availability).

In some embodiment, MSI ROI may be further correlated to the pricing of various milk solids such as fat, protein and lactose in real-time or substantially real-time. Accordingly, the indexing application may receive a selected ingredient from a user to include in a feed composition and may provide a MFDI value, a MSI value, and one or more cost effects. In this manner, a dairy producer may evaluate various feed compositions in real time based on actual conditions to determine the most cost effective feed composition in substantially real time. In some embodiments, the information sources 315 may include ingredient cost, availability, and/or content information (for instance, estimated fatty acid content) from various third-party sources, such as suppliers, trading markets, or the like. Accordingly, a user may be able to perform such an evaluation based on real-time market and availability information.

[0116] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative indexing system according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, an indexing system 400 may receive feed composition information 405 associated with a feed composition that may be stored in a database 410 (for example, information sources 315 of FIG. 3). The feed composition information 405 may be received from a third-party database and/or a user. Ingredient information 415a-n for the ingredients in the feed composition associated with the feed composition information 405 may be extracted into component information including, without limitation, fatty acid information 420 and DBC 425. The fatty acid information 420 and/or the DBC 425 may be stored in individual databases (not shown). The indexing system 400 may determine the MFDI and MSI 430a-n for each ingredient 415a-n. The MSI 430a-n for each ingredient may be used to determine the MSI 435 for the feed composition associated with the feed composition information 405, for example, according to Equation (5). The MSI 435 may be transmitted to a client logic device 440 and/or stored in a database 445.

[0117] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of exemplary internal hardware that may be used to contain or implement the various computer processes and systems as discussed above. A bus 500 serves as the main information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. CPU 505 is the central processing unit of the system, performing calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. CPU 505 is an exemplary processing device, computing device or processor as such terms are used within this disclosure. Read only memory (ROM) 530 and random access memory (RAM) 535 constitute exemplary memory devices.

[0118] A controller 520 interfaces with one or more optional memory devices 525 via the system bus 500. These memory devices 525 may include, for example, an external or internal DVD drive, a CD ROM drive, a hard drive, flash memory, a USB drive or the like. As indicated previously, these various drives and controllers are optional devices. Additionally, the memory devices 525 may be configured to include individual files for storing any software modules or instructions, auxiliary data, common files for storing groups of results or auxiliary, or one or more databases for storing the result information, auxiliary data, and related information as discussed above.

[0119] Program instructions, software or interactive modules for performing any of the functional steps associated with the determination, configuration, transmission, decoding, or the like of the presentation settings as described above may be stored in the ROM 530 and/or the RAM 535. Optionally, the program instructions may be stored on a tangible computer-readable medium such as a compact disk, a digital disk, flash memory, a memory card, a USB drive, an optical disc storage medium, such as a Blu-ray™ disc, and/or other recording medium.

[0120] An optional display interface 530 can permit information from the bus 500 to be displayed on the display 535 in audio, visual, graphic or alphanumeric format. The information may include information related to a current job ticket and associated tasks. Communication with external devices may occur using various communication ports 540. An exemplary communication port 540 may be attached to a communications network, such as the Internet or a local area network.

[0121] The hardware may also include an interface 545 which allows for receipt of data from input devices such as a keyboard 550 or other input device 555 such as a mouse, a joystick, a touch screen, a remote control, a pointing device, a video input device and/or an audio input device.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 : Making a Feed Composition

[0122] A feed composition to be used as a feed supplement for ruminant feed is made using a process of combining a feed ingredient and a fatty acid and grinding it into a granular material that can be sprinkled over the ruminant feed. The fatty acid component is combined in an amount that is about 50% by weight of the feed composition. The fatty acid component includes about 90% by weight of a palmitic acid having a DBC value of 0, about 5% by weight of CI 8: 1 unsaturated fatty acid having a DBC value of 1 , and 5% by weight of water. The feed composition also includes about 50%> by weight of a feed ingredient having 5% moisture content. The feed ingredient includes additional nutrients that are lacking in the ruminant's current feed. The feed ingredient includes molasses, sugar beet pulp, calcium propionate, propane diol, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, folic acid, choline vitamin D, vitamin E, carnitine, leucine, lysine, a phenylalanine derivative, sodium acetate, calcium carbonate, iron gluconate, barley, wheat, rice, corn, oat hulls, hay meal, and straw. The various ingredients are ground using a standard commercial grinder so that they have an average particle size of about 2 mm. The resulting feed composition has a Milk Fat Depression Index (MFDI) value of about 25.

MFDI = "Msofl ' ⁱ « 25.6 _{Example 2 :}

1.95 kg {dry mass)

An Example Rapeseed Meal MFDI

[0123] A rapeseed meal is used to make a feed composition for a ruminant. The rapeseed meal (fresh weight) contains 5% fat and 90% of the dry mass content. There are

23.2 g/kg C18: l fatty acid, 8.2 g/kg C18:2 fatty acid, and 3.92 g/kg C18:3 fatty acid in the rapeseed meal. The MFDI of the rapeseed meal is about 57 in dry mass.

(1 * 23.2 σ) + (2 * 8.2 σ) + (3 * 3.92 g)

MFDI = - —— —— — * 57.1

1 kg * 90%

Example 3 : An Example Whole Diet MFDI

[0124] A dairy cow is provided with a feed composition to increase the milk fat and the quantity of milk produced. The feed composition has a MFDI of 25. The dairy cow is fed with a total diet on a dry matter basis that includes 50% of the feed composition and 50% of roughage having a MFDI of 55 in dry matter. The total diet has an MFDI of 40. Total Diet MFDI = (Feed composition MFDI * 50%) + {Roughage MFDI * 50%)

Example 4: An Example Whole Diet MFDI Including Grass Silage

[0125] A dairy cow is provided with a feed composition to increase the milk fat and the quantity of milk produced. The feed composition has a MFDI of 20. The dairy cow is additionally fed with grass silage having a MFDI of 60 in dry matter. The total diet of the dairy cow includes 50% of the feed composition and 50%> of the grass silage. The grass silage has a moisture content of 10%. The total diet has a MFDI of 38.9.

(lkg Dietary Comp.* 20 g/kg) + {1kg Silage * 90% * 60g/kg)

Total Diet MFDI =

1.90 kg

Example 5 : Feeding a Dairy Cow

[0126] A dairy cow that has a normal (untreated) average daily production of 30 kg milk is provided with the feed composition described above with respect to Example 1 to increase the milk fat and the quantity of the milk produced.

[0127] The dairy cow is given about 350 grams of the solid feed composition by sprinkling the feed composition on the ruminant's feed. This amount of feed composition is selected to ensure that the cow consumes at least about 333 grams of the solid feed composition. This amount corresponds to about 10 grams of free palmitic acid for every kilogram of milk that the dairy cow produces that day. The feed composition has a Milk Fat Depression Index of 25, which results in a positive compound feed for the dairy cow that increases milk fat, milk protein, and milk yield of the dairy cow. The milk fat is increased by 0.25 units, the milk protein is increased by 0.05 units, and the milk yield is increased by 1 kg. As a result, the dairy cow produces 5% by weight more milk than she did previously, and the milk that she produces contains 15% by weight more milk fat content than the milk she produced previously.

Example 6: Providing to a Large Group of Cows

[0128] The feed composition as described above with respect to Example 1 is provided to a large group of cows on a commercial dairy farm to confirm its effectiveness. A group of 200 dairy cows from the commercial dairy farm are selected at random to provide a wide variety of variation in various characteristics, such as breed, weight, age of the cow, and the like. The 200 cows are divided into two groups: a sample cow group and a control cow group. Each day, the sample cow group is fed, ad libitum, a standard TMR feed with the feed composition sprinkled thereon. The control cow group is fed the standard TMR feed given to the sample group of cows ad libitum, but without the feed composition as a booster. The 200 cows are monitored for the amount of feed and/or booster consumed, changes in weight, an amount of milk the cow produces each day, and the composition of the milk produced by the cow each day. Monitoring continues for a period of 30 days. A comparison of the two groups of cows over this period of time shows a statistically significant improvement in milk fat content and milk volume from the sample group that consumed the booster over the control group that did not receive the booster.

Example 7: Determining Total Diet MSI

[0129] A dairy producer has provided a dairy cow with a feed composition to increase the milk fat and the quantity of milk produced. The feed composition has a MFDI of 20, a P _P A of 2.0, and a PSA of 4.0. The dairy cow is additionally fed with maize silage having a MFDI of 60, a P _PA of 1.0, and a P _SA of 0.0. The total diet of the dairy cow includes 60% of the feed composition and 40% of the maize silage. The dairy producer uses a key value of 100 for determining MSI.

[0130] The MSI of the feed composition is 66.0:

MSIpeed Composition = (100) - (20) - (2.0) - ((3)(4.0)).

[0131] The MSI of the maize silage is 39.0:

MSIpeed Composition = (100) - (60) - (1.0) - ((3)(0.0)).

[0132] The total diet MSI is 55.2

MSIx _ota i Diet = ((66.0X.60)) + ((39.0)(0.40)).

Example 8: Determining Effect of Ingredient on MSI of Feed Composition

[0133] A dairy producer has purchased a feed composition having a MSI of 350. The diary producer is adding a booster supplement to the feed composition that includes 25% palmitic acid. The booster supplement will be 10% by weight of the feed composition. The MSI of the booster supplement is 850. The MSI of the feed composition that includes the booster supplement is 400:

[0134] MSI _Total Feed Composition ((350)(.90)) + ((850)010))

[0135] In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0136] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0137] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0138] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (for example, bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (for example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," et cetera). While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of "comprising" various components or steps (interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to"), the compositions, methods, and devices can also "consist essentially of or "consist of the various components and steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (for example, "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (for example, the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, et cetera" is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, " a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, et cetera" is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (for example, " a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, et cetera). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0139] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. [0140] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, et cetera As a non- limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, et cetera As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up to," "at least," and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

[0141] Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.