Method and composition for enhancing milk production and milk component concentrations

1. A method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising:

providing a feed that comprises sugar alcohol free of glycerol and at least one additional feed component, the feed free of rumen-protected fatty acid or comprising less than 10 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the feed; and

orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, the ruminant ingesting the feed and sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period, the pre-partum period starting no more than about eight weeks before the ruminant gives birth;

wherein ingesting the feed during the pre-partum period causes the ruminant to exhibit enhanced milk production after giving birth.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ruminant ingests as little as about 50 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as low as about 50 grams of sugar alcohol per day.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per. day.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-partum period starts about three weeks before the ruminant gives birth.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the pre-partum period ends at about the time the ruminant gives birth.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the sugar alcohol comprises adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabinitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galaxitol, glucitol, glycerol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol, threitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or any of these in any combination.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the sugar alcohol comprises sorbitol.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the ruminant of claim 1 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and exhibiting the enhanced milk production after giving birth, as compared to milk production by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the ruminant of claim 1 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and exhibiting enhanced production of 4% fat corrected milk after giving birth, as compared to production of 4% fat corrected milk by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the ruminant of claim 1 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant exhibiting enhanced daily feed intake on a dry basis after giving birth, as compared to daily dry basis feed intake by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the ruminant of claim 1 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and producing milk with an enhanced component concentration after giving birth, as compared to the concentration of the component in milk produced by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the component of the milk is total fat, true protein, lactose, total solids, or any of these in any combination.

17. A method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising:

providing a pre-partum feed that comprises a first sugar alcohol free of glycerol and at least one additional feed component, the pre-partum feed free of rumen-protected fatty acid or comprising less than 10 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the pre-partum feed;

orally supplying the pre-partum feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, the ruminant ingesting the pre-partum feed and the first sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period, the pre-partum period starting no more than about eight weeks before the ruminant gives birth;

providing a first post-partum feed that comprises a second sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component; and

orally supplying the first post-partum feed to the ruminant during a first post-partum period that starts after the ruminant gives birth, the ruminant ingesting the first post-partum feed and the second sugar alcohol during the first post-partum period;

wherein ingesting the pre-partum feed during the pre-partum period and the first post-partum feed during the first post-partum period causes the ruminant to exhibit enhanced milk production after giving birth.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the ruminant ingests as little as about 50 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the average daily ingestion of the second sugar alcohol by the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as low as about 50 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the average daily ingestion of the second sugar alcohol by the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the average daily ingestion of the second sugar alcohol by the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

24. The method of claim 17 wherein the first post-partum period starts about the time the ruminant gives birth.

25. The method of claim 17 wherein the first post-patum period ends about four weeks after the ruminant gives birth.

26. The method of claim 17 wherein the second sugar alcohol comprises adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabinitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galaxitol, glucitol, glycerol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol, threitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or any of these in any combination.

27. The method of claim 17 wherein the second sugar alcohol comprises sorbitol.

28. The method of claim 17 wherein the ruminant of claim 17 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period and exhibiting the enhanced milk production after giving birth, as compared to milk production by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period, and during the first post-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

29. The method of claim 17 wherein the ruminant of claim 17 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period and exhibiting enhanced production of 4% fat corrected milk after giving birth, as compared to production of 4% fat corrected milk by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

30. The method of claim 17 wherein the ruminant of claim 17 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant exhibiting enhanced daily feed intake on a dry basis after giving birth, as compared to daily dry basis feed intake by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

31. The method of claim 17 wherein the ruminant of claim 17 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period and producing milk with an enhanced component concentration after giving birth, as compared to the concentration of the component in milk produced by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the component of the milk is total fat, true protein, lactose, total solids, or any of these in any combination.

33. A method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising:

providing a feed that comprises sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, the sugar alcohol comprising adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabinitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galaxitol, glucitol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol, threitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or any of these in any combination; and

orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period starting about three weeks before the ruminant gives birth, the ruminant ingesting the feed and sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the ruminant ingests as little as about 50 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as low as about 50 grams of sugar alcohol per day.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day.

39. The method of claim 33 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day.

40. The method of claim 33 wherein the pre-partum period ends at about the time the ruminant gives birth.

41. The method of claim 33 wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol.

42. The method of claim 33 wherein the ruminant of claim 33 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and exhibiting enhanced milk production after giving birth, as compared to milk production by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

43. The method of claim 33 wherein the ruminant of claim 33 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and exhibiting enhanced production of 4% fat corrected milk after giving birth, as compared to production of 4% fat corrected milk by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

44. The method of claim 33 wherein the ruminant of claim 33 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant exhibiting enhanced daily feed intake on a dry basis after giving birth, as compared to daily dry basis feed intake by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

45. The method of claim 33 wherein the ruminant of claim 33 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and producing milk with an enhanced component concentration after giving birth, as compared to the concentration of the component in milk produced by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the component of the milk is total fat, true, protein, lactose, total solids, or any of these in any combination.

47. The method of claim 33 wherein the feed provided during the pre-partum period is a pre-partum feed and the sugar alcohol provided during the pre-partum period is a first sugar alcohol, the method further comprising

providing a first post-partum feed that comprises a second sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component; and

orally supplying the first post-partum feed to the ruminant during a first post-partum period that starts after the ruminant gives birth, the ruminant ingesting the first post-partum feed and the second sugar alcohol during the first post-partum period.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein the ruminant ingests as little as about 50 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

51. The method of claim 47 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion during the first post-partum period is as low as about 50 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

53. The method of claim 47 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

54. The method of claim 47 wherein the first post-partum period starts about the time the ruminant gives birth.

55. The method of claim 47 wherein the first post-partum period ends about four weeks after the ruminant gives birth.

56. The method of claim 47 wherein the second sugar alcohol of claim 48 comprises adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabinitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galaxitol, glucitol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol, threitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or any of these in any combination.

57. The method of claim 47 wherein the second sugar alcohol of claim 48 comprises sorbitol.

58. The method of claim 47 wherein the ruminant of claim 48 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period and exhibiting enhanced milk production after giving birth, as compared to milk production by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

59. The method of claim 47 wherein the ruminant of claim 48 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period and exhibiting enhanced production of 4% fat corrected milk after giving birth, as compared to production of 4% fat corrected milk by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

60. The method of claim 47 wherein the ruminant of claim 48 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant exhibiting enhanced daily feed intake on a dry basis after giving birth, as compared to daily dry basis feed intake by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

61. The method of claim 47 wherein the ruminant of claim 48 is a first ruminant, the first ruminant ingesting from about 50 grams to about 200 grams of sugar alcohol per day during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period and producing milk with an enhanced component concentration after giving birth, as compared to the concentration of the component in milk produced by a second ruminant after giving birth, the second ruminant fed identically as the first ruminant, with the exception that feed provided to the second ruminant during the pre-partum period and during the first post-partum period is free of any sugar alcohol, the first ruminant and the second ruminant substantially identical to each other.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the component of the milk is total fat, true protein, lactose, total solids, or any of these in any combination.

63. A method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising:

providing a feed that comprises sorbitol and at least one additional feed component, the feed free of glycerol and the sorbitol fully digestible in the rumen of the ruminant; and

orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, the ruminant ingesting the feed and the sorbitol during the pre-partum period, the pre-partum period starting no more than about eight weeks before the ruminant gives birth.

64. The method of claim 63 wherein the ruminant ingests as little as about 50 grams of sorbitol per day during the pre-partum period.

65. The method of claim 64 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of sorbitol per day during the pre-partum period.

66. The method of claim 63 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of sorbitol per day during the pre-partum period.

67. The method of claim 63 wherein the average daily sorbitol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as low as about 50 grams of sorbitol per day.

68. The method of claim 67 wherein the average daily sorbitol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of sorbitol per day.

69. The method of claim 63 wherein the average daily sorbitol ingestion of the ruminant during the pre-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of sorbitol per day.

70. The method of claim 63 wherein the pre-partum period starts about three weeks before the ruminant gives birth.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the pre-partum period ends at about the time the ruminant gives birth.

72. A method of feeding a ruminant, the method comprising:

providing a pre-partum feed that comprises sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, the pre-partum feed free of glycerol and the sugar alcohol fully digestible in the rumen of the ruminant;

orally supplying the pre-partum feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, the ruminant ingesting the pre-partum feed and the first sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period, the pre-partum period starting no more than about eight weeks before the ruminant gives birth;

providing a first post-partum feed that comprises a second sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, wherein the second sugar alcohol comprises adonitol, allitol, altritol, arabinitol, dulcitol, erythritol, galaxitol, glucitol, glycerol, iditol, inositol, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, perseitol, ribitol, rhamnitol, threitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or any of these in any combination; and

orally supplying the first post-partum feed to the ruminant during a first post-partum period that starts after the ruminant gives birth, the ruminant ingesting the first post-partum feed and the second sugar alcohol during the first post-partum period.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein the ruminant ingests as little as about 50 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

75. The method of claim 72 wherein the ruminant ingests as much as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day during the first post-partum period.

76. The method of claim 72 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion during the first post-partum period is as low as about 50 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

78. The method of claim 72 wherein the average daily sugar alcohol ingestion of the ruminant during the first post-partum period is as high as about 200 grams of the second sugar alcohol per day.

79. The method of claim 72 wherein the first post-partum period starts about the time the ruminant gives birth.

80. The method of claim 72 wherein the first post-partum period ends about four weeks after the ruminant gives birth.

81. The method of claim 72 wherein the first post-partum feed is free of glycerol and the second sugar alcohol is fully digestible in the rumen of the ruminant.

82. The method of claim 72 wherein the first sugar alcohol comprises sorbitol.

83. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed comprises less than 5 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the feed.

84. The method of claim 1 wherein the feed is free of rumen-protected fatty acid.