# Patent

## Title
Feed supplement for increasing the plasma amino acid level of ruminant livestock and method of administration

## Abstract

A feed supplement for increasing the plasma amino acid level of animals, including animal feed and liquid lysine base, where the liquid lysine base has a concentration between about 45% and about 55%, and has a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5, a chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%, a bulk density of between about 1.14 and about 1.17 g/cm3, and a maximum moisture level of between about 42% and about 48%. The animal feed may either be dry feed, liquid feed, drinking water or milk replacers, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes a method of increasing the plasma amino acid level of animals, including the steps of providing animal feed, and supplementing the animal feed with an amino acid supplement comprising liquid lysine base having a concentration between about 45% and about 55%, and having a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/359,691, filed Feb. 27, 2002.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a feed supplement and method of administration for increasing the plasma amino acid level of ruminant livestock.
2. Background Art
Amino acids, the basic components of proteins, have long represented the most economical and efficient means for adapting the protein composition of the diets of animals bred for productive purposes to the increasing needs dictated by genetic improvement and the qualitative demands of the market for products of animal origin. Consequently, amino acids, particularly lysine and methionine, are commonly provided to animals in variable amounts according to the amino acid composition of the base feed and of the required nutritional objectives.
Amino acids of industrial origin come from chemical synthesis or fermentation processes, and are available to the animal feed industry either in powder or liquid form, chemically formulated either as natural-like amino acids or as various chemical derivatives, which are then metabolized by the animal in biologically active amino acids.
Typical amino acids include alanine, beta-alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, carnitine, citrulline, cysteine, cystine, gamma-aminobutryic acid, glutamic acid, glutathione, glycine, histidine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine.
It is known to supplement the feed of ruminant animals with commercial amino acid compositions, for example SMARTAMINE® and RHODIMET® AT 88, available from Rhone Poulenc Animal Nutrition, Atlanta, Ga., and LysMet available from SILO S.r.1., Firenze, Italy. Such amino acid compositions may be administered either through spraying onto dry feed, or in liquid form through drinking water, milk replacers or liquid feed.
The ruminant species (especially bovines, and to a lesser degree sheep, goats and buffalo) have difficulty benefitting from the addition of amino acids to their diet, which they need from a nutritional point of view, because the rumen, acting as a biological fermentor, transforms the amino acids added to the fodder, using them as components in culture material for the bacterial and protozoan populations which are its natural inhabitants.
Previous commercial amino acid compositions have not been able to adequately increase the plasma amino acid level in ruminant animals. In particular, the amino acid concentration, pH level, chloride content, bulk density, and maximum moisture of known commercial amino acid compositions contribute to the undesirable properties of an increased fermentation capability and a slow absorption through the walls of a rumen.
Thus, there is a need for a feed supplement and method of administration for increasing the plasma amino acid level of ruminant livestock.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is drawn to a feed supplement for increasing the plasma amino acid level of animals, including animal feed and a liquid lysine base having a concentration of between about 45% and about 55%, and having a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5, a chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%, a bulk density of between about 1.14 and about 1.17 g/cm3, and a maximum moisture level of between about 42% and about 48%. The animal feed may either be dry feed or a liquid such as liquid feed, drinking water or milk replacers, or a combination thereof.
The present invention also includes a method of increasing the plasma amino acid level of animals, including the steps of providing animal feed, and supplementing the animal feed with an amino acid supplement comprising liquid lysine base having a concentration between about 45% and about 55%, and having a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5.
Supplementing the diet of ruminants, especially bovines, with high levels of amino acids, particularly lysine, allows specific productive results to be obtained. For example, supplementation in dairy cattle or brood cows increases both the liters of milk produced per day and the protein content in the milk produced. This also improves the overall health of the animals as a result of a better balanced feeding by producing a reduction in ketosis, lowering of somatic cells, providing better immune status, and more efficient reproductive performances. Supplementing the diet of buffalo, sheep and/or goats with high levels of amino acids produces the same advantages as stated above for bovines.
Supplementation in beef cattle increases production quantitatively, measured by grams of increased weight per day, and by improving the quality of the carcass through the percentage of total lean cuts and the corporal development of the commercially valuable parts. This also improves the health condition of the beef cattle as a result of a better balanced feeding, resulting in a better health response in the phase and lower incidence of disease during the breeding cycle.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that this invention can also be employed in a variety of other devices and applications.
One aspect of the present invention is drawn to a feed supplement for increasing the plasma amino acid level of animals, including animal feed and an amino acid. The animal feed may either be dry feed or a liquid such as liquid feed, drinking water or milk replacers, or a combination thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the amino acid is lysine, preferably in liquid form. In a preferred embodiment, the amino acid is liquid lysine base having a concentration of between about 45% and about 55%. In a most preferred embodiment, the amino acid is liquid lysine base having a concentration of about 50%.
Preferably, the liquid lysine base has a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5. In a more preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a pH level of between about 9.8 and about 10.2. In a most preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a pH level of about 10.
Preferably, the liquid lysine base has a chloride content below about 0.25%. In a more preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%. In a most preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a chloride content of about 0.10%.
Preferably, the liquid lysine base has a bulk density of between about 1.10 and about 1.25 g/cm3 In a more preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a bulk density of between about 1.14 and about 1.17 g/cm3 In a most preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a bulk density of about 1.17 g/cm3.
Preferably, the liquid lysine base has a maximum moisture level of between about 42% and about 48%. In a most preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base has a maximum moisture level of about 45%.
In a preferred embodiment, the liquid lysine base is ADM 50% Liquid L-Lysine (available from Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Decatur, Ill.), which is an aqueous solution of L-Lysine free base obtained by concentrating lysine from fermentation broth. Typical properties for ADM 50% Liquid L-Lysine are listed in the table below:












Chemical Specifications:








Chemical Formula
C6H12N2O2


Molecular Weight
146.20







Characteristics:








Appearance
Dark Brown Liquid


Lysine content
   50.0%


Isomeric purity
  100.0% L


Bulk density at 77° F. (25° C.)
   1.14–1.17 g/cm3 (9.6–9.8 lbs/gal)


pH
    9.5–10.5


Minimum shelf life
1 year stored at 20° C.


Maximum moisture
   42.0%–48.0%


Chloride content
   0.10%–0.15%







Nutritional Specifications on a dry weight basis:








Minimum L-Lysine base
   50.0%


Dry matter
   52.0%–58.0%


Crude protein
   61.5%


Nitrogen
   10.0%


Fat
  <0.01%


Carbohydrate
  <0.02%







Additional Amino Acid Content








Valine
   0.57%


Threonine
   0.01%


Alanine
   0.18%


Glycine
   0.09%


Leucine
   0.09%


Total
   <2.0%







Mineral Content








calcium
   <0.01%


phosphorus
   0.01%


potassium
   0.10%


sodium
   0.01%


chloride
   0.10%


sulfur
   0.22%















Metabolizable Energy
kcal/lb
kcal/kg
MJ/kg







Poultry
1182
2600
10.87



Swine
1266
2786
11.65










Another aspect of the present invention is a method of increasing the plasma amino acid level of animals, including the steps of providing animal feed, and supplementing the animal feed with an amino acid. In a preferred embodiment, the amino acid is liquid lysine base having a concentration of about 50%, and having a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5, a chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%, a bulk density of between about 1.14 g/cm3 and about 1.17 g/cm3, and a maximum moisture level of between about 42% and about 48%, as described above.
The animal feed may be a dry feed, a liquid, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, liquid lysine base is added to a dry feed such as mixed fodder through spraying. In a preferred embodiment, the animal feed may be a liquid such as drinking water, milk replacers, or liquid feed. In an alternate embodiment, liquid lysine base may be added to a combination of dry feed and a liquid feed, such as a combination of mixed fodder and milk replacers.
In a preferred embodiment, liquid amino acid is administered to ruminant livestock by diluting the liquid lysine base in a liquid such as drinking water, milk replacers, or liquid feed. The dilution occurs immediately, since it is a matter of hydrosoluble products, and the relatively low percentage of inclusion in the drinking water or other liquid necessary for obtaining useful dosages prevents potential chemical incompatibility problems and does not affect the palatability of the liquid itself. The percentage of inclusion of the lysine in the liquid may be from about 0.1% to about 0.3%.
A system for administering the lysine may include a fluid supply line used in livestock and a one one-way valve connected to the line. The valve prevents the return of amino acids from the fluid distribution system. A measurement device such as a flowmeter or liter-counter may be connected to the line downstream from the one-way valve. The system may also includes a pump for injecting the lysine into the fluid system, and is equipped with a gradient for regulating the projected flow for the livestock, activated by the measurement device. Every time the liquid from the system passes through after it is activated by the animals using drinking troughs, it injects a known and anticipated amount of lysine in the liquid pipeline. The lysine may be contained in vats and drawn up by appropriate devices and introduced into the flow of liquid towards the drinking troughs.
A method for supplying liquid products to ruminant livestock is simple and efficient. The method first involves calculating the daily consumption of liquid by the animals. This calculation may be performed by means of known nutritional formulas (Murphy M R et al., “Factors Affecting Water Consumption by Holstein Cows in Early Lactation,” J. Dairy Science, 66:35(1983)) or, when present, by verifying the data offered by a measurement device such as a liter-counter found in the equipment. In a preferred embodiment, drinking water may be supplied from about 30 liters/day/head to about 150 liters/day/head. In a more preferred embodiment, drinking water may be supplied from about 50 liters/day/head to about 80 liters/day/head. In a most preferred embodiment, drinking water may be supplied from about 70 liters/day/head to about 80 liters/day/head.
Then, the amount of amino acids whose administration to the animals is desired is calculated based on bioavailability data. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of amino acid to be supplied to each animal may be from about 10 grams to about 500 grams. In a more preferred embodiment, the amount of amino acid to be supplied to each animal may be from about 100 grams to about 300 grams. In a most preferred embodiment, the amount of amino acid to be supplied to each animal may be about 200 grams.
Next, the percentage of inclusion of each amino acid per liter of liquid is calculated, based on the amino acid concentration found in the commercial product whose use is intended. In a preferred embodiment, the percentage of inclusion of each amino acid per liter of liquid is between about 0.01% to about 10.0%. In a more preferred embodiment, the percentage of inclusion of the amino acid in the liquid may be from about 0.05% to about 0.5%. In a most preferred embodiment, the percentage of inclusion of the amino acid in the liquid may be from about 0.1% to about 0.3%. Finally, the system is titered by means of gradients installed on every individual pump. An example of this method is provided in Example 1.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation, and various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. Additionally, all references cited herein, including journal articles or abstracts, published or corresponding U.S. or foreign patent applications, issued U.S. or foreign patents, or any other references, are each entirely incorporated by reference herein, including all data, tables, figures, and text presented in the cited references.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art (including the contents of the references cited herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
EXAMPLE 1 
The following is an example of a calculation for supplying the proper amount of liquid lysine base product to ruminant livestock. This calculation can be easily executed by special, simple computerized support, which may be furnished as a complement to the system of the invention.

    
    
        Mean amino acid bioavailability: 20%
        Mean bovine water consumption: 62.5 L/head/day
        Nutritional lysine requirements: 20 g/head/day
        Nutritional methionine requirements: 7 g/head/day
        Commercial liquid lysine base: 50% amino acid titer
    
    

















Lysine









Liters of H2O consumed/cow/day
62.5



Bioavailable amino acid requirement
20 grams



Grams to be supplied based on 20%
100 g



bioavailability (k = 5)



Grams to be supplied based on commercial
200 g (50%)



product concentration (x)



Grams of amino acid required per liter of
 3.2



water (x: 62.5)



Percentage to be titered on the equipment
0.32%



mark










EXAMPLE 2 
Plasma amino acid levels were monitored in non-lactating Holstein cows given a single oral dose of the tested treatments for a total amount of 60 g of lysine and 50 g of methionine. Two non-lactating dairy cows kept in a fixed stall and fed at maintenance level (Table 2) were used. Animals were given a one day bolus of the product, either in solution or mixed to mild water, through the esophagus. Then, animals were given 30% of their daily diet, and the remainder was given at the end of the first feed consumption. The trial was carried out twice, as shown in Table 1.
The following products were used:
SMARTAMINE M: rumen protected amino acid with a pH dependent co-polymer (vinil-2-piridin-stirene) (available from Rhone Poulenc Animal Nutrition, Atlanta, Ga.)
75% Methionine
SMARTAMINE ML: rumen protected amino acid with a pH dependent co-polymer (vinil-2-piridin-stirene) (available from Rhone Poulenc Animal Nutrition, Atlanta, Ga.)
39% Lysine +15% Methionine
Bioavailability: 90%
Protection: 90% into water solution, pH 6, 40° C., 24 hours.
RHODIMET AT 88 (Rhone Poulenc): liquid methionine hydroxy analogue (pH: 1)
DL-2-idroxy-4-methyltiobutanoic acid
[CH3—S—CH2—CH2—CH(OH)—COOH]
Methionine hydroxy analogue: 88%
SILO LysMet calcium soap: rumen protected lysine and methionine (available from SILO S.r.1. Firenze, Italy).
Lysine: 24%, Methionine: 11%
ADM liquid lysine, L-Lysine (ADM Bioproducts, Germany)
Lysine: 50%
Ph: 9.5-10.5
Blood collections were made before treatment (time zero) and at 60, 80, 120, 160, 180, 240, 300, 320, 360, 400, 420, 480, 540, 600, 660, 960, 1440 and 1800 minutes. Blood was immediately centrifuged, then plasma was collected for amino acid analysis.
In the trials using the ADM 50% liquid lysine base, the maximum lysine concentration (2.63 mg/100 ml on average) was observed at 420 minutes, as shown in Table 3. As shown in Table 4, the trials using Smartamine product did not result in a significant increase in plasma lysine level until about 4 hours after drenching, and the maximum peak did not occur until about the 16 hour mark. In the trials using the SILO product, shown in Table 5, the lysine levels were poorly affected by drenching the amino acid, with a moderate increment of the plasma amino acid up to the about the tenth hour, followed by a rapid decrease.
The methionine plasma levels had differing results as well. In the trials using the Smartamine product shown in Table 6, the increase of methionine plasma levels were markedly delayed compared to the other products Rhodimet and SILO products. In the trials using the Rhodimet 88 product, the plasma methionine levels increased rapidly after drenching, as shown in Table 7. However, the product did not plateau at high plasma levels, and it showed rapid decreases, halving its concentration at about 10 hours and reaching the baseline within 24 hours. In the trials using the SILO product shown in Table 8, the maximum concentrations were observed about 8 hours after drenching, and the levels were low and stable up to 11 hours from drenching.
EXAMPLE 3
In this example, 24 milking Holstein cows (8 primiparous and 16 multiparous) were used (Table 9). Animals were allotted to four treatment groups (6 animals each group) in aLatin square design and treated according to Table 10.
Each period of the Latin square had an adjustment period of 7 days (base diet) and a treatment period of 14 days (base diet plus amino acid supplementation for treatments T2, T3 and T4). Liquid amino acids were dosed into the drinking water (treatment T3) using individual volumetric pumps to avoid mixing of undiluted products. Tables 11-15 report the base diet and feed composition.
Blood and milk samples were collected during the adjustment and experimental periods according to Table 16. Blood samples were collected before morning meal, then centrifuged and plasma was collected for lysine and methionine determination. Milk samples were collected in two consecutive milking from all cows using a lactometer, refrigerated at 4° C. and analyzed for fat, protein and lactose content. The data was analyzed by a General Linear Model (“GLM”) procedure using the values from the first adjustment period as a covariate.
Table 17 reports the average water consumption of animals being supplemented liquid amino acids within the drinking water. Tables 18 and 19 show the plasma amino acid levels for each group.







TABLE 1







Sequence of treatments (phase I)










Date of treatment
Amino acid infusion







Day 1 - Nov. 04, 1999
ADM liquid lysine base + Rhodimet



Day 2 - Jun. 12, 2000
AT 88



Day 1 - Dec. 3, 1999
Smartamine ML + Smartamine M



Day 2 - Jun. 27, 2000



Day 1 - May. 15, 2000
SILO Calcium soap rumen protected




lysine and methionine

















TABLE 2







Portion used in the first series of tests










Feed
Kg/head/day as fed







Corn silage
6



Grass hay
8



Dry cow concentrate
2

















TABLE 3







Plasma lysine level (mg/100 ml) after a single esophageal


forced dose (60 g/head of ADM 50% liquid lysine base)


in non-lactating Holstein cows









Sampling from drenching,
Day 1
Day 2











minutes
Cow 1
Cow 2
Cow 1
Cow 2














0
1.036
1.07
1.162
0.869


80
1.13
1.08
—
—


120
—
—
1.312
1.35


160
1.25
1.37
—
—


240
1.61
2.25
1.445
1.57


300
—
—
2.453
1.94


360
1.73
2.42
2.319
3.813


420
1.75
2.32
2.437
4.00


480
1.97
2.00
2.10
3.75


540
1.93
1.70
1.578
2.20


660
1.54
1.42
1.235
1.148


1440
1.44
1.20
1.038
0.95
















TABLE 4







Plasma lysine level (mg/100 ml) after a single esophageal


forced dose (60 g/head of lysine from Smartamine ML)


in non-lactating Holstein cows









Sampling from drenching,
Day 1
Day 2











minutes
Cow 1
Cow 2
Cow 1
Cow 2














0
1.156
1.026
1.15
1.058


80
1.073
1.125
—
—


120
1.28
1.098
1.19
1.031


180
1.44
1.126
1.03
1.125


240
1.53
1.71
1.756
1.35


300
1.79
1.91
1.533
1.45


360
2.15
1.75
1.415
1.78


420
2.43
2.17
2.035
2.26


480
2.77
2.02
2.054
2.70


540
2.37
2.33
2.52
2.85


600
2.58
2.28
3.30
3.01


960
2.47
2.37
3.341
3.25


1800
1.95
1.70
2.85
2.276
















TABLE 5







Plasma lysine level (mg/100 ml) after a single esophageal


forced dose (60 g/head of lysine from SILO)


in non-lactating Holstein cows









Sampling from drenching,
Day 1
Day 2











minutes
Cow 1
Cow 2
Cow 1
Cow 2














0
1.03
0.99
—
—


120
1.01
1.04
—
—


180
1.34
0.88
—
—


240
1.36
1.15
—
—


360
1.43
1.28
—
—


420
1.56
1.35
—
—


480
1.68
1.342
—
—


540
1.55
1.45
—
—


660
1.346
1.237
—
—


1440
1.10
1.05
—
—
















TABLE 6







Plasma methionine level (mg/100 ml) after a single


esophageal forced dose (50 g/head of methionine


from Smartamine) in non-lactating Holstein cows









Sampling from drenching,
Day 1
Day 2











minutes
Cow 1
Cow 2
Cow 1
Cow 2














0
0.39
0.30
0.37
0.313


60
0.42
0.37
—
—


120
0.39
0.28
0.33
0.28


180
0.40
0.33
—
—


240
0.37
0.38
0.425
0.35


300
0.56
0.57
0.65
0.50


360
0.95
0.87
0.75
0.80


400
1.16
1.10
1.142
1.12


420
1.25
1.37
—
—


480
1.45
1.57
1.832
1.36


960
2.87
4.30
4.00
2.10


1800
1.94
3.00
3.20
1.48
















TABLE 7







Plasma methionine level (mg/100 ml) after a single esophageal


forced dose (50 g/head of methionine from Rhodimet 88)


in non-lactating Holstein cows









Sampling from drenching,
Day 1
Day 2











minutes
Cow 1
Cow 2
Cow 1
Cow 2














0
0.26
0.22
0.345
0.155


80
0.32
0.30
—
—


120
—
—
0.476
0.574


160
0.55
0.61
0.58
0.60


240
0.70
0.93
0.69
0.89


300
—
—
0.968
1.57


360
0.95
1.38
1.45
1.912


420
—
—
1.027
1.685


480
1.25
1.13
0.997
1.564


540
0.86
0.70
0.992
1.341


660
0.75
0.65
0.78
1.073


1440
0.39
0.24
0.406
0.327
















TABLE 8







Plasma methionine level (mg/100 ml) after a single


esophageal forced dose (50 g/head of methionine from SILO)


in non-lactating Holstein cows









Sampling from drenching,
Day 1
Day 2











minutes
Cow 1
Cow 2
Cow 1
Cow 2














0
0.36
0.34
0.39
0.24


60
0.32
0.35
—
—


120
0.54
0.89
0.41
0.30


180
0.65
1.30
—
—


240
1.18
2.00
0.80
0.48


300
1.72
2.60
0.56
0.86


360
1.84
2.89
1.07
1.11


420
1.98
3.20
1.11
1.06


480
2.35
2.78
1.27
1.05


540
2.22
3.24
1.58
0.86


600
2.29
3.05
—
—


660
2.44
3.08
1.16
0.62


1440
1.05
0.64
0.49
0.29
















TABLE 9







Animal used in the lactating Holstein cows experiment












Box
Tag
Days in Milk
Milk, kg
















1
256
36
32



1
265
91
31



1
482
206
21



1
459
221
32



1
42
229
23



1
782
323
24



2
284
43
34



2
233
68
25



2
1
121
31



2
220
220
27



2
244
298
22



2
120
328
28



3
257
61
30



3
3
81
28



3
179
108
35



3
224
224
31



3
54
273
24



3
508
368
19



4
272
67
29



4
421
89
31



4
491
94
35



4
95
225
19



4
241
243
24



4
29
356
26

















TABLE 10





Treatments
















T1 - Control
Base diet with no amino acid



addition


T2 - Product mixed within the total
Base diet + 68 g/head/day


mixed ratio
Smartamine ML (26 g Lysine;



10.2 g Methionine)


T3 - Liquid product added to the
200 g/head/day ADM liquid lysine


drinking water
base + 35 g/head/day Rhodimet


T4 - Liquid amino acids sprayed on
200 g/head/day ADM liquid lysine


top of the total mixed ratio
base + 35 g/head/day Rhodimet
















TABLE 11







Diet composition (as fed)










Feed
Kg/head/day














Corn Silage
22



Alfalfa hay dehydrate
3.5



Grass hay
2



Concentrate
9.5



Energy mix (corn meal 70%, barley meal
1.5



30%)

















TABLE 12







Chemical composition of the total mixed ratio (% on dry


matter basis)










Parameters
Value














Dry matter, Kg
21.7



Crude protein, %
15.72



NE1, Mcal/kg
1.63



Starch and sugars, %
26.5



NDF (neutral detergent fiber)
35.5



ADF (acid detergent fiber)
21.5







Forage/Concentrate ratio: 45/55













TABLE 13







Chemical composition of feeds










Parameter
Corn silage
Alfalfa hay, dehydrate
Grass hay













Dry matter
28
90
87


Crude protein
9.5
17.4
13


Soluble protein, % CP
55
40
35


Lipids
3.42
0.87
1.7


NDF
47.5
44
63.5


ADF
28
27
46


Starch
23.5
—
—


Sugars
—
2.5
1.5
















TABLE 14







Concentrate feed composition










Component
% on dry matter basis














Mineral and vitamin
0.32



Megalac
2.68



CaCO3
1.13



Sunflower meal, solvent extracted
7.26



Soybean meal, solvent extracted
12.40



Corn meal (10% corn flakes)
18.03



Barley meal
16.28



Potato protein concentrate
4.06



Beet pulps, dry
11.79



Molasses
1.69



Wheat bran
12.89



Corn gluten feed
8.20



NaHCO3
0.56



NaCL
0.34



CaHPO4
1.58



MgO
0.79

















TABLE 15







Chemical composition of concentrate










Parameter
% on dry matter basis














Dry matter, kg
88.74



UFL
1.05



Crude protein
21.94



Crude fiber
8.68



NDF
24.80



Lipids
5.10



UIP
8.93



Soluble protein
5.48



NSC
38.30



Starch
28.27



Starch + sugar
33.63



PDIE
14.07



PDIN
15.58



P
0.88



C
1.46

















TABLE 16







Days of blood and milk samples collection












Blood
Milk
Blood
Milk







7
6
 3
 6




7
14
 7






13






14

















TABLE 17







Water consumption (liter/day)









Period (by week)
(Liter/head/day)
Amino acid in drinking water












1
78.0
No


2
75.0
Yes


3
76.0
Yes


4
75.0
No


5
78.0
Yes


6
65.3
Yes


7
64.3
No


8
59.0
Yes


9
65.8
Yes


10
62.7
No


11
65.2
Yes


12
60.4
Yes
















TABLE 18







Plasma lysine concentration (mg/100 ml) at day 0, 3 and 14











Day
T1
T2
T3
T4














0
0.947
0.935
0.948
0.969


3
1.001
1.343
1.126
1.224


14
0.916
1.232
1.080
1.239
















TABLE 19







Plasma methionine concentration (mg/100 ml) at day 0, 3 and 14











Day
T1
T2
T3
T4














0
0.255
0.272
0.271
0.259


3
0.323
0.417
0.302
0.325


14
0.264
0.376
0.312
0.352
















TABLE 20







Production data, first week of the Latin square


experimental trial













Parameter
T1
T2
T3
T4

















Milk, kg
29.2
29.7
28.9
28.9



4% fat corrected milk, kg
25.8
26.5
27.1
26.1



Fat, kg
0.93
0.97
1.05
0.98



Protein, kg
0.97
0.99
0.96
0.98



Lactose, kg
1.56
1.58
1.52
1.51



Fat, %
3.17
3.37
3.69
3.42



Protein, %
3.37
3.36
3.36
3.41



Lactose, %
5.32
5.29
5.24
5.22

















TABLE 21







Production data, second week of the Latin square


experimental trial













Parameter
T1
T2
T3
T4

















Milk, kg
29.0
29.2
28.7
29.2



4% fat corrected milk, kg
26.6
26.1
27.0
28.1



Fat, kg
0.99
0.96
1.04
1.10



Protein, kg
0.97
0.97
0.94
1.02



Lactose, kg
1.54
1.55
1.49
1.54



Fat, %
3.43
3.51
3.85
3.84



Protein, %
3.38
3.40
3.37
3.50



Lactose, %
5.29
5.30
5.16
5.24

## Claims

1. A ruminant animal feed, comprising:
ruminant animal feed; and
an unprotected liquid lysine base feed supplement having a concentration between about 45% and about 55%, and having a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5, and having a chloride content below about 0.25%,
wherein the liquid lysine base feed supplement is present in an amount sufficient to increase plasma lysine levels in ruminant animals to a level equal to or greater than if an equivalent amount of amino acids were provided to the ruminant animal in a protected form.

2. The ruminant animal feed of claim 1, wherein said lysine has chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%.

3. The ruminant animal feed of claim 1, wherein said lysine has a bulk density between about 1.14 g/cm3 and about 1.17 g/cm3.

4. The ruminant animal feed of claim 3, wherein said lysine has a bulk density of about 1.17 g/cm3.

5. The ruminant animal feed of claim 3, wherein said lysine has a maximum moisture level of between about 42% and about 48%.

6. The ruminant animal feed of claim 5, wherein said lysine has a maximum moisture level of about 45%.

7. The ruminant animal feed of claim 5, wherein said lysine has a pH level of between about 9.8 and about 10.2.

8. The ruminant animal feed of claim 7, wherein said lysine has a pH level of about 10.

9. The ruminant animal feed of claim 1, wherein said ruminant animal feed is dry fodder.

10. The ruminant animal feed of claim 1, wherein said ruminant animal feed is a liquid.

11. The ruminant animal feed of claim 10, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of drinking water, milk replacers and liquid feed.

12. The ruminant animal feed of claim 1, wherein said ruminant animal feed includes dry fodder and a liquid.

13. The ruminant animal feed of claim 12, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of drinking water, milk replacers and liquid feed.

14. The ruminant animal feed of claim 1, wherein said lysine has a concentration of about 50%.

15. A ruminant animal feed, comprising:
ruminant animal feed, and
an unprotected liquid lysine base feed supplement having a concentration between about 45% and about 55%, and having a pH level between about 9.5 and about 10.5, a chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%, a bulk density between about 1.14 and about 1.17 g/cm3, and a maximum moisture level between about 42% and about 48%,
wherein the liquid lysine base feed supplement is present in an amount sufficient to increase plasma lysine levels in ruminant animals to a level equal to or greater than if an equivalent amount of amino acids were provided to the ruminant animal in a protected form.

16. The ruminant animal feed of claim 15, wherein said ruminant animal feed is dry fodder.

17. The ruminant animal feed of claim 15, wherein said ruminant animal feed is a liquid.

18. The ruminant animal feed of claim 17, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of drinking water, milk replacers and liquid feed.

19. The ruminant animal feed of claim 15, wherein said ruminant animal feed includes dry fodder and a liquid.

20. The ruminant animal feed of claim 19, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of drinking water, milk replacers and liquid feed.

21. A method of increasing the plasma amino acid level of ruminant animals, comprising the following steps:
providing ruminant animal feed; and
supplementing said ruminant animal feed with an amino acid supplement comprising an unprotected liquid lysine base feed supplement having a concentration of between about 45% and about 55%, and having a pH level of between about 9.5 and about 10.5, and having a chloride content below about 0.25%,
wherein the liquid lysine base feed supplement is present in an amount sufficient to increase plasma lysine levels in ruminant animals to a level equal to or greater than if an equivalent amount of amino acids were provided to the ruminant animal in a protected form.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said lysine has a concentration of about 50%.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said lysine has a chloride content between about 0.10% and about 0.15%.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said lysine has a bulk density between about 1.14 and about 1.17 g/cm3.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said lysine has a bulk density of about 1.17 g/cm3.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said lysine has a maximum moisture level between about 42% and about 48%.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said lysine has a maximum moisture level of about 45%.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said lysine has a pH level between about 9.8 and about 10.2.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said lysine has a pH level of about 10.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein said ruminant animal feed is dry fodder.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein said ruminant animal feed is a liquid.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of drinking water, milk replacers and liquid feed.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein said ruminant animal feed includes dry fodder and a liquid.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said liquid is selected from the group consisting of drinking water, milk replacers and liquid feed.