Patent ID: 12201127

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Animal feed formed with a base of palm fronds and combined with palm fruit, such as dates, is a sustainable and affordable feed product that can be developed in hot climates. Palm fronds with a desired moisture content are shredded, chopped and/or ground, and mixed with palm fruit. Additives such as urea can increase the nutritional content. Feeds with palm fronds, palm fruit, and/or additives can serve as a base feed for other components. Palm fronds can also serve as a base feed for other components. Animal feeds with a variety of bases can have palm fruit added. Animal feeds with a variety of bases, including palm fronds, can include a variety of other components added.

Processed palm fronds and palm fruit, such as dates, can be combined according to a variety of different ratios. For example, in some embodiments palm fronds and dates can be combined according to a ratio by weight of approximately 80 pounds of processed palm fronds for each pound of dates. In some embodiments, the ratio by weight of processed palm fronds to dates can be greater than or equal to approximately 70 and/or less than or equal to approximately 90.

In some embodiments, nutritional additives can be added to the mixture to modify the desired nutritional content. For example, in some embodiments, urea can be combined with palm fronds and dates. This can increase the available protein content. Finding the correct mixture can help maximize the protein content. If too much urea is added, it may actually diminish the total protein content of the mixture. In some embodiments, a preferred ratio by weight of dates to urea within a palm frond base can be 6:1. In some embodiments the ratio by weight of dates to urea within a palm frond base can be greater than or equal to approximately 5:1 and/or less than or equal to approximately 7:1. In some embodiments, the ratio by weight of dates to urea within a palm frond base can be greater than or equal to approximately 11:2 and/or less than or equal to approximately 13:2. In some embodiments, the identified ratios of dates to urea can be by volume instead of weight.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can include approximately 98.6% palm frond by weight, approximately 1.2% date by weight, and approximately 0.2% urea by weight. In some embodiments, an animal feed can include weight-based ratios of palm frond to date to urea of 2000 to 25 to 4. The ratios of different components can vary according to different embodiments. In some embodiments, an animal feed can include weight-based ratios of palm frond to date to urea of 2000 to 24 to 4. In some embodiments, the weight-based ratio of palm frond to the combined weight of dates and urea can be between 65:1 and 75:1.

The dates can be added to the palm fronds according to a variety of methods. In some embodiments, the dates can be diced, chopped, or crumbled and mixed in as such. In some embodiments the dates can be chopped into fine crystals, having a consistency roughly equivalent to sugar. In some embodiments, the dates can be liquefied and poured or sprayed onto the palm fronds. In some embodiments, a liquid, such as water, can be added to the dates to make them easier to pour, spray, and/or mix with the palm fronds. In some embodiments additional additives, such as the urea, can be mixed with the dates before being mixed with the palm fronds. In some embodiments, additional additives can be added to the palm fronds before or after the dates.

The mixtures described herein can produce a product that rivals or surpasses the nutritional content of current feeds. For example, in some embodiments a mixture can have a TDN content of approximately 55%. It can have an a crude protein content of approximately 15%, a crude fat content of approximately 2.7%, a crude fiber content of approximately 25%, and an ash content of approximately 12%. In some embodiments, additional minerals can be included, either through the urea or other additive, and the final result can have approximately 0.5% of minerals.

In some embodiments a mixture can have varying levels of a crude protein content. For example, in some embodiments a mixture can have a crude protein content that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%. In some embodiments, a mixture can have a crude protein content that is greater than or equal to approximately 8% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%. In some embodiments, a mixture can have a crude protein content that is greater than or equal to approximately 12% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%. In some embodiments, a desired protein content can depend on the type of animal expected to eat the feed. For example, in some embodiments feed prepared for dairy cattle can have a crude protein content that is greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 20%. In some embodiments, feed prepared for beef cattle can have a crude protein content that is greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%.

Other nutritional content of mixtures described herein can similarly vary. For example, in some embodiments a mixture can have a TDN that is greater than or equal to approximately 45% and/or less than or equal to approximately 65%. In some embodiments a mixture can have a TDN that is greater than or equal to approximately 50% and/or less than or equal to approximately 60%.

In some embodiments a mixture can have a crude fat content that can be greater than or equal to approximately 2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 8%. In some embodiments a mixture can have a crude fat content that can be greater than or equal to approximately 2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 5%.

Similarly, in some embodiments a mixture can have a fiber content that can be greater than or equal to approximately 15% and/or less than or equal to approximately 45%. In some embodiments, a mixture can have a fiber content that can be greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%.

The ash content in some embodiments can be greater than or equal to 4% and/or less than or equal to 17%. In some embodiments, the ash content can be greater than or equal to approximately 8% and/or less than or equal to approximately 12%. In some embodiments laws may limit the ash content that can be in the feed, and the ash content can be capped at a legal limit, for example at 12%. The amount of minerals and/or additives can in some embodiments be greater than or equal to approximately 0.2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 1%.

The use of any type of palm frond is contemplated. For example,Washington robustas(Mexican Fan Palms),Washingtonia filiferas(California Fan Palms),Phoenix canariensis(Canary Island Date Palms),Phoenix dactylifera(Date Palms), or any other date or oil palm can be used. Similarly, any type of date can be used. In some embodiments, other fruits or materials besides dates can be used. For example, palm seeds or other types of palm fruit, such as oil palm berries, can be used instead of or in addition to dates. These alternative fruit or fruit mixtures can be combined with palm fronds and/or other additives such as urea according to the various ratios described herein.

Palm fronds can be tough, and general processing used for other types of feed bases, such as alfalfa, to prepare for use in feeds may be insufficient or too expensive for palm fronds. For example, placing raw palm fronds into a tub grinder may not produce palm fronds that are sufficiently chopped to be used in feeds. Additionally, raw palm fronds are generally too wet to be thrown directly into a tub grinder or other grinding or chopping machine. A variety of processes can be used to put the palm fronds into a form suitable for feed before combining them with dates or other products.FIG.1illustrates one method that can be used to process the palm fronds and combine them with palm fruit and/or other additives. Other methods can be used and variations of the described method can be used as well. In some embodiments, once palm fronds have been collected, they can be laid out in wind rows. This can allow the wind and/or ambient air to dry the palm fronds. Steps can be taken to ensure growth of mold within the palm fronds is prevented or limited. For example, the wind rows can be sized such that the palm fronds are not packed too tightly or thickly, allowing fronds in the middle to dry. Additionally or alternatively, the fronds can be periodically turned over or mixed to prevent the growth of mold and to make sure that the fronds dry evenly. Preferably the palm fronds are arranged for drying in a manner that limits the amount of heat generated by the stacked palm fronds during the drying process.

Preferably, the fronds are allowed to dry until they have a moisture content greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 14% In some embodiments, a moisture content greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 20% can be used. In some embodiments, a moisture content greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15% can be used. In some embodiments, a moisture content greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 25% can be used. In some embodiments the moisture content can exceed 25%.

Once the palm fronds have reached a desired moisture content, they can be processed according to a variety of methods. In some embodiments, a shredder can be pulled over the rows to shred the palm fronds. Additionally or alternatively, the palm fronds can be fed through a shredder. As an example, a shredder sold under the brand name Balzer can be used to shred the palm fronds. Once the palm fronds have been shredded, a chopper can be used to chop the palm fronds into finer pieces. As an example, a chopper sold under the brand name Forest Harvester can be used. The chopper can also be used to harvest the dried palm fronds from the ground, passing them into a container as they are chopped. One embodiment of this method of processing palm fronds is illustrated inFIG.2. In some embodiments, just a shredder or just a chopper can be used. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.3, the palm fronds can be ground, such as by passing through a tub grinder after being shredded and/or chopped. As an example, a tub grinder sold under the brand name Roto Grind can be used. In some embodiments, palm fronds can pass through a grinder multiple times or through multiple grinders. In some embodiments, a cone grinder can be used instead of or in addition to a tub grinder. One embodiment of a method of processing palm fronds with a grinder is illustrated inFIG.4.

The processed palm fronds can form a base product that can be combined according to the various mixtures described above, forming an animal feed. In some embodiments, various mixtures can be formed within a grinder. Once a desired formulation has been achieved, the products can be prepared for use according to a variety of manners. In some embodiments, the feed can be left loose as initially mixed. In some embodiments, the feed can be baled or formed into cubes or other shapes. One advantage of mixing dates into the palm fronds is that the dates can help provide a binding function, making it easier to form the feed into cubes or any desired shape. It is understood that “cube” is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense in this application, including, for example, to refer broadly to a compressed feed mixture. References to a cubed shape can refer to a generally square or rectangular shape or to having a generally square or rectangular shaped cross section, but other shapes and cross sections are possible and contemplated, such as, for example, pellets and/or generally cylindrical shapes and/or shapes with a circular or rounded cross section. Cubed feed may have one or more sides or dimensions that are longer than one or more of the other sides or dimensions. In some embodiments, different cubes within a batch of cubed feed may have different dimensions from other cubes within the batch. Additionally, the cubes do not necessarily have defined shapes, sides, edges or corners.

In some embodiments cubes can be formed with a cubing machine. In some embodiments, the machine can include a grinder that can mix and/or grind the components. In such embodiments, the grinder of the cubing machine can be used in addition to or instead of a grinder during the process described with respect toFIG.2. In some embodiments, the palm fronds added to the cubing machine can have been ground into a powder. The machine can convey the resulting feed toward an area that can heat and compress the feed through a die or dies that shapes the feed into a cubed shape. In some embodiments a liquid, such as water, can be added to the mixture as it is compressed through a die. Different dies can produce cubes of different sizes and/or shapes. After the feed passes through the die or dies the feed can be conveyed to an area for packaging and/or shipping. In some embodiments, the palm component can be processed into a powder that can be combined with the palm fruit component and one or more nutritional additives and then compressed or formed into cubes and/or other shapes. In some embodiments a powdered palm component can be collected and stored for use as a base or component for other feed mixtures. In some embodiments a palm component in a shredded, chopped, or ground form can be collected and stored for use as a base or component for other feed mixtures.

Cubing the feed can present a variety of advantages. For example, cubed feed can be generally easier and more efficient to ship and/or store. For example, because cubes can be compressed when formed, they can have a greater density than loose feed allowing for more feed by mass to fit within the same volume. In some embodiments, cubes can be shipped and/or stored in large containers, such as sacks, boxes, or other containers. In some embodiments, containers can be sized to hold 1000 lbs of cubed feed. In some embodiments they can hold more or less. In some embodiments, cubes can be stored and/or shipped loosely.

Cubing the feed can also extend the shelf life of the feed. For example, in some embodiments loose feed might be good for about a year. Cubed feed can be good for significantly longer. In some embodiments, packaging loose feed or cubed feed can also extend the shelf life of the feed.

Palm Frond Base Feeds

In some embodiments various components or mixtures of components described herein can be combined with other types of feed sources to adjust desired nutritional contents of the feeds. For example, the processed palm fronds can be used as a base to which a variety of additives can be added for use in animal feed. These additives suitable for use in animal feed can include, for example, dog food, chicken livers, or other sources of protein or other nutrients. Additives can also include plant based products such as citrus products, sugar beet pulp, brewer's grain, almond husks, peanut shells, grass clipping, fruit rinds and peels, potatoes, or general vegetable scraps. Additives can also include molasses, tortilla scraps, dough and bread products, or any other processed product with nutritional value. These additives can be added to a palm frond base in any desired combination or quantity.

As illustrated inFIG.5, in some embodiments, a palm frond base can be combined with different proportions of a roughening component, a vegetable and/or fruit component, and/or a sugar component. A roughening component can include, for example, almond shells, walnut husks, peanut shells, pits, or other rough, edible products. A vegetable and/or fruit component can include, for example, cotton seed, corn, brewer's grain, distiller's grain, potato, lettuce, tomato, peaches, apples, strawberries, soy, turnips, fruit rind or peel, etc. A sugar component can include, for example, beet pulp, sugar beets, sugar cane, citrus fruits, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, grapes, rasins, etc. In some embodiments, particular additives, such as dates, have a high nutritional content and a high sugar content and can be added as a vegetable/fruit component and/or a sugar component. In some embodiments, other vitamins and minerals can also be added.

In some embodiments, the proportions used for an animal feed can depend on the type of animal that is expected to eat it. Although various embodiments described below provide examples specific to dairy and beef cows, it is understood that the various ratios described can be used in feed for a variety of animals, including horses or ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, or camels. In some embodiments, an animal feed for a dairy cow can have a palm frond component that is greater than or equal to approximately 50% and/or less than or equal to approximately 90%. The feed can have a roughening component that is greater than or equal to approximately 2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 10%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 20%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a dairy cow can have a palm frond component that is greater than or equal to approximately 60% and/or less than or equal to approximately 80%. The feed can have a roughening component that is greater than or equal to approximately 3% and/or less than or equal to approximately 7%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 13% and/or less than or equal to approximately 17%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 8% and/or less than or equal to approximately 12%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a dairy cow can have a palm frond component that is approximately 70%. The feed can have a roughening component that is 5%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is approximately 15%. The feed can have a sugar component that is approximately 10%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a beef cow can have a palm frond component that is greater than or equal to approximately 40% and/or less than or equal to approximately 60%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 15% and/or less than or equal to approximately 35%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 15% and/or less than or equal to approximately 35%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a beef cow can have a palm frond component that is greater than or equal to approximately 45% and/or less than or equal to approximately 55%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a beef cow can have a palm frond component that is approximately 50%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is approximately 25%. The feed can have a sugar component that is approximately 25%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

Palm Frond and Palm Fruit Base Feeds

As illustrated inFIG.6, in some embodiments, animal feeds described herein that include a combination of a palm frond component and a palm fruit component (including embodiments with nutritional additives, such as, for example, urea) can form a base for animal feed that can replace other bases, such as alfalfa. The combined palm frond/fruit base can be in any form described above, including as loose feed, feed prepared into cubes, feed prepared into other shapes, etc. As above, the particular ratios can vary depending on the type of animal, though the various ratios described can be used for a variety of different animals.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a dairy cow can have a palm frond/fruit base that is greater than or equal to approximately 70% and/or less than or equal to approximately 90%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a dairy cow can have a palm frond/fruit base that is greater than or equal to approximately 75% and/or less than or equal to approximately 85%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 7% and/or less than or equal to approximately 13%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 7% and/or less than or equal to approximately 13%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a dairy cow can have a palm frond/fruit base that approximately 80%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is approximately 10%. The feed can have a sugar component that is approximately 10%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a beef cow can have a palm frond/fruit base that is greater than or equal to approximately 40% and/or less than or equal to approximately 70%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 40%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a beef cow can have a palm frond/fruit base that is greater than or equal to approximately 45% and/or less than or equal to approximately 60%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 25% and/or less than or equal to approximately 35%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 7% and/or less than or equal to approximately 13%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed for a beef cow can have a palm frond/fruit base that approximately 50%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is approximately 30%. The feed can have a sugar component that is approximately 10%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

General Base Feeds

In some embodiments, palm fruit and/or seeds can be added to different types of feed or feed bases, including, for example, alfalfa, soy, corn, hay, grass, and other silage. Palm fruit combined according to any of the ratios described herein, or in other suitable ratios, with a nutritional additive, such as urea, can also be added to other types of feeds or components of feeds, such as, for example, alfalfa, soy, corn, hay, grass, and other silage. Because of the particular nutritional qualities of palm fruit, in some embodiments palm fruit can serve as both a vegetable/fruit component and a sugar component as part of the various ratios discussed above. For example, a palm fruit contains a high energy content and can be substituted for corn, for example, in some feed applications. Additionally, some palm fruits, such as dates, include pits, which can provide a roughening component in some embodiments.FIG.7illustrates an example of a feed with a palm fruit component that serves as both a vegetable/fruit component and a sugar component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component including one or more types of base feeds, such as palm frond, alfalfa, soy, corn, hay, grass, and/or other silage components, forming the base feed component.FIG.8illustrates an example of a base feed component mixed with a vegetable/fruit component, a sugar component, and a roughening component. In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 50% and/or less than or equal to approximately 90%. The feed can have a roughening component that is greater than or equal to approximately 2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 10%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 20%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 15%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 60% and/or less than or equal to approximately 80%. The feed can have a roughening component that is greater than or equal to approximately 3% and/or less than or equal to approximately 7%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 13% and/or less than or equal to approximately 17%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 8% and/or less than or equal to approximately 12%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is approximately 70%. The feed can have a roughening component that is 5%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is approximately 15%. The feed can have a sugar component that is approximately 10%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 40% and/or less than or equal to approximately 60%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 15% and/or less than or equal to approximately 35%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 15% and/or less than or equal to approximately 35%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 45% and/or less than or equal to approximately 55%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%. The feed can have a sugar component that is greater than or equal to approximately 20% and/or less than or equal to approximately 30%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is approximately 50%. The feed can have a vegetable/fruit component that is approximately 25%. The feed can have a sugar component that is approximately 25%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 50% and/or less than or equal to approximately 90%. The feed can have a roughening component that is greater than or equal to approximately 2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 10%. The feed can have a palm fruit component, such as dates, that is greater than or equal to approximately 2% and/or less than or equal to approximately 50%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 60% and/or less than or equal to approximately 80%. The feed can have a roughening component that is greater than or equal to approximately 3% and/or less than or equal to approximately 7%. The feed can have a palm fruit component, such as dates, that is greater than or equal to approximately 5% and/or less than or equal to approximately 40%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is approximately 70%. The feed can have a roughening component that is 5%. The feed can have a palm fruit component, such as dates, that is 25%.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 40% and/or less than or equal to approximately 60%. The feed can have a palm fruit component, such as dates, that is greater than or equal to approximately 10% and/or less than or equal to approximately 45%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is greater than or equal to approximately 45% and/or less than or equal to approximately 55%. The feed can have a palm fruit component, such as dates, that is greater than or equal to approximately 15% and/or less than or equal to approximately 35%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

In some embodiments, an animal feed can have a base feed component that is approximately 50%. The feed can have a palm fruit component, such as dates, that is approximately 30%. In some embodiments, the feed can also have varying amounts of a roughening component.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Similarly, this method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.