U.S. patent application number 10/175512 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for system for and method of customizing an animal feed based on nucleic acid material content.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cargill, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cook, David A., Craig, W. Michael, Newcomb, Mark D., van de Ligt, Christiaan P.A..
Application Number | 20030233984 10/175512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29549551 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030233984 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
van de Ligt, Christiaan P.A. ;
et al. |
December 25, 2003 |
SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF CUSTOMIZING AN ANIMAL FEED BASED ON
NUCLEIC ACID MATERIAL CONTENT
Abstract
A system for and method of determining a formulation for an
animal feed having a customized nucleic acid material content. The
system can include an animal profile, an animal nutrient
requirement profile, an evaluation criteria, and/or ingredient
nutrient content profiles. The information contained in the
profiles and criteria can be used to calculate a formulation having
a desirable nucleic acid material content. The optimized nucleic
acid material content can be used to maximize satisfaction of an
evaluation criteria.
Inventors: |
van de Ligt, Christiaan P.A.;
(Elk River, MN) ; Newcomb, Mark D.; (Independence,
MN) ; Craig, W. Michael; (Monticello, MN) ;
Cook, David A.; (Coon Rapids, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Scott T. Piering
Cargill, Inc.
P.O. Box 5624
Minneapolis
MN
55440-5624
US
|
Assignee: |
Cargill, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
29549551 |
Appl. No.: |
10/175512 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/51.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23K 20/153
20160501 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/51.01 |
International
Class: |
A01K 001/10; A01K
005/00; A01K 039/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for determining customized feed for at least one
animal, the system comprising: a first memory portion configured to
store animal data representative of the characteristics of the
animal; a second memory portion configured to store feed data
representative of feed ingredients; and a data processing circuit
in communication with the first and second memory portions and
configured to generate a nutritional profile including a desirable
nucleic acid material content for the animal based upon the animal
data, the data processing circuit being further configured to
generate formulation data representative of a combination of feed
ingredients, the formulation data being generated by the data
processing circuit based upon at least one of the nutritional
profile data and the feed data.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the animal data is representative
of at least one of a beginning weight of the animal, a desired
weight of the animal, an environment of the animal, a production
state of the animal, a health state of the animal, a feed form, and
an actual or desired production level of the animal, and a
relationship of animal muscle to fat of the animal.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the health state of the animal
includes at least one of a healthy state, a weaning state, an
illness state, and a challenged state.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the feed ingredients include at
least one of a grain source, a protein source, a vitamin source, a
mineral source, a fat source and a nucleic acid material
source.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the evaluation criteria includes
at least one of the animal production rate, the cost of feed per
unit animal weight gain, and the feed weight per unit animal weight
gain.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the evaluation data is
representative of at least two evaluation criteria.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a third memory portion
in communication with the data processing circuit, the third memory
portion being configured to store optimization weighting data
representative of the effect a respective evaluation data has on
the generation of the formulation data, the data processing circuit
further generating the formulation data based upon the optimization
weighting data.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the optimization weighting data
may be selected to cause one of the evaluation criteria to have no
effect on the generation of the formulation data.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory portions are portions
of a digital memory and a parallel data bus in coupled between the
digital memory and the data processing circuit to facilitate
communication.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory portions are portions
of a plurality of digital memories and a network couples the
digital memories to the data processing circuit to facilitate
communication.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the nutritional profile data is
representative of at least two nutrient components, and the system
further includes a fourth memory portion in communication with the
digital processor, the fourth memory portion storing variation data
representative of a range for the nutrient components of the
nutritional profile and the digital processor generates a set of
formulation data based upon the variation data.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the nutrient components
includes at least the nucleic acid material content.
13. A system for determining customized feed for at least one
animal, the system comprising: a first memory portion configured to
store animal data representative of the characteristics of the
animal; a second memory portion configured to store feed data
representative of feed ingredients; a third memory portion
configured to store evaluation data representative of at least one
evaluation criteria; and a data processing circuit in communication
with the first, second and third memory portions and configured to
generate a nutritional profile including a desirable nucleic acid
material content for the animal based upon the animal data, the
data processing circuit being further configured to generate
formulation data representative of a combination of feed
ingredients, the formulation data being generated by the data
processing circuit based upon at least one of the nutritional
profile data, the feed data, and the evaluation data.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the animal data is
representative of at least one of a beginning weight of the animal,
a desired weight of the animal, an environment of the animal, a
production state of the animal, a health state of the animal, a
feed form, and an actual or desired production level of the animal,
and a relationship of animal muscle to fat of the animal.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the health state of the animal
includes at least one of a healthy state, a weaning state, an
illness state, and a challenged state.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the feed ingredients include at
least one of a grain source, a protein source, a vitamin source, a
mineral source, a fat source and a nucleic acid material
source.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the evaluation criteria
includes at least one of the animal production rate, the cost of
feed per unit animal weight gain, and the feed weight per unit
animal weight gain.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the evaluation data is
representative of at least two evaluation criteria.
19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a fourth memory
portion in communication with the data processing circuit, the
fourth memory portion being configured to store optimization
weighting data representative of the effect a respective evaluation
data has on the generation of the formulation data, the data
processing circuit further generating the formulation data based
upon the optimization weighting data.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the optimization weighting data
may be selected to cause one of the evaluation criteria to have no
effect on the generation of the formulation data.
21. The system of claim 13, wherein the memory portions are
portions of a digital memory and a parallel data bus in coupled
between the digital memory and the data processing circuit to
facilitate communication.
22. The system of claim 13, wherein the memory portions are
portions of a plurality of digital memories and a network couples
the digital memories to the data processing circuit to facilitate
communication.
23. The system of claim 13, wherein the nutritional profile data is
representative of at least two nutrient components, and the system
further includes a fifth memory portion in communication with the
digital processor, the fifth memory portion storing variation data
representative of a range for the nutrient components of the
nutritional profile and the digital processor generates a set of
formulation data based upon the variation data.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the nutrient components
includes at least the nucleic acid material content.
25. A system for determining customized feed for at least one
animal, the system comprising: first memory means for storing
animal data representative of the characteristics of the animal;
second memory means for storing feed data representative of feed
ingredients; third memory means for storing evaluation data
representative of at least one evaluation criteria; and processing
means for generating a nutritional profile including a desirable
nucleic acid material content for the animal based upon the animal
data, the processing means generating formulation data
representative of a combination of feed ingredients, the
formulation data being generated based upon the nutritional profile
data, the feed data and the evaluation data.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein animal data is representative
of at least one of a beginning weight of the animal, a desired
weight of the animal, an environment of the animal, a health state
of the animal, a feed form, and an actual or desired production
level of the animal.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the health state of the animal
includes selection of at least one of a healthy state, a stressed
state and a challenged state.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the feed ingredients include at
least one of a grain source, a protein source, a vitamin source, a
mineral source, a fat source and a nucleic acid material
source.
29. The system of claim 25, wherein the evaluation criteria
includes at least one of animal production rate, cost of feed per
unit animal weight gain and feed weight per unit animal weight
gain.
30. The system of claim 25, further comprising a fourth memory
portion in communication with the data processing circuit, the
fourth memory portion being configured to store optimization
weighting data representative of the effect a respective evaluation
criteria has on the generation of formulation data, the data
processing circuit further generation the formulation data based on
the optimization weighting data.
31. The system of claim 25, wherein the nutritional profile is
representative of at least two nutrient components, and the system
further including a fifth memory portion in communication with the
digital processor, the fifth memory portion storing variation data
representative of a range for at least one nutrient component of
the nutritional profile and the digital processor generates a set
of formulation data based upon the variation data.
32. A method for determining customized feed for at least one
animal, the method comprising: receiving animal data representative
of the characteristics of the animal; receiving feed data
representative of feed ingredients; generating nutritional profile
data representative of a desirable nucleic acid material content
for the animal based upon the animal data; and generating
formulation including data representative of a combination of feed
ingredients, formulation data being generated based upon the
nutritional profile data and the feed data.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the nutritional profile
includes a level of nucleic acid material determined to optimize a
criteria based upon the animal data.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the nutritional profile
includes data representative of at least one additional nutrient
component.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the nutritional profile data is
representative of at least two nutrient components, the method
further comprising the step of generating a set of formulation data
based upon variation data representative of a range for at least
one nutrient component of the nutritional profile.
36. The method of claim 32, wherein the feed ingredients include at
least one of a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a fat source,
a vitamin source, a mineral source and a nucleic acid material
source.
37. A method for determining customized feed for at least one
animal, the method comprising: receiving animal data representative
of the characteristics of the animal; receiving feed data
representative of feed ingredients; receiving evaluation data
representative of at least one evaluation criteria; generating
nutritional profile data representative of a desirable nucleic acid
material content for the animal based upon the animal data; and
generating formulation including data representative of a
combination of feed ingredients, formulation data being generated
based upon the nutritional profile data, the feed data and the
evaluation data.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the nutritional profile
includes a level of nucleic acid material determined to optimize a
criteria based upon the animal data.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the evaluation criteria
includes at least two criteria.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the evaluation criteria include
an associated optimization weighting data, the method further
comprising the step of generating a formulation data representative
of the effect of the optimization weighting data.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein the nutritional profile
includes data representative of at least one additional nutrient
component.
42. The method of claim 37, wherein the nutritional profile data is
representative of at least two nutrient components, the method
further comprising the step of generating a set of formulation data
based upon variation data representative of a range for at least
one nutrient component of the nutritional profile.
43. The method of claim 37, wherein the feed ingredients include at
least one of a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a fat source,
a vitamin source, a mineral source and a nucleic acid material
source.
44. A method for optimizing the growth rate of an animal, the
method comprising: receiving animal data representative of the
characteristics of the animal; receiving feed data representative
of feed ingredients; receiving evaluation data representative of at
least one evaluation criteria; generating nutritional profile
including a data representative of a desirable nucleic acid
material content for the animal based upon the animal data; and
generating formulation data representative of a combination of feed
ingredients, formulation data being generated based upon the
nutritional profile data, the feed data and the evaluation
data.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the nutritional profile
includes a level of nucleic acid material determined to optimize a
criteria based upon the animal data.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the evaluation criteria
includes at least two criteria.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the evaluation criteria include
an associated optimization weighting data, the method further
comprising the step of generating a formulation data representative
of the effect of the optimization weighting data.
48. The method of claim 45, wherein the nutritional profile
includes data representative of at least one additional nutrient
component.
49. The method of claim 44, wherein the nutritional profile data is
representative of at least two nutrient components, the method
further comprising the step of generating a set of formulation data
based upon variation data representative of a range for at least
one nutrient component of the nutritional profile.
50. The method of claim 44, wherein the feed ingredients include at
least one of a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a fat source,
a vitamin source, a mineral source and a nucleic acid material
source.
51. The method of claim 44, wherein the animal is newly weaned.
52. The method of claim 45, wherein the animal is intestinally
challenged.
53. The method of claim 45, wherein the formulation data is used to
create an animal feed having a customized nucleic acid material
content.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the method is utilized in
production of a food product from an animal fed the animal feed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a computerized
system for determining a customized feed for animals, such as
cattle, swine, poultry, fish, crustaceans and the like. More
particularly, the present invention relates to determining a feed
mix that includes a nucleic acid material content based upon animal
needs and/or characteristics, available ingredients and cost of
production.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In general, animal feed products are compositions of a large
variety of raw materials or ingredients. The ingredients can be
selected to optimize the amount of any given nutrient or
combination of nutrients in an animal feed product based upon the
nutrient composition of the ingredients used.
[0003] The nutritional composition of any one feed ingredient can
be used in combination with the nutritional composition of every
other ingredient in the feed to produce an animal feed that
maximizes an evaluation criteria. One example of an evaluation
criteria is the growth and production rate of the animal in the
shortest amount of time. Animal feed producers have recognized that
certain nutritional compositions help animals to meet or exceed
evaluation criteria than if they used other nutritional
compositions. For example, a particular cow feed composition can be
made that will deliver an improved balance of essential amino acids
post ruminally. This has has been shown to have the effect of
increasing the cow's milk production. Maximizing the speed and
frequency with which animals meet the evaluation criteria generally
is desirable. Maximizing criteria satisfaction also may include
maximizing some positive criteria, such as total muscle gain, or
minimizing a negative criteria, such as weight loss during
illness.
[0004] A composition can be used in several forms: complete feed
form, concentrate form, blender form and base mix form. An example
of the complete feed form can include wheat middlings, corn,
soybean meal, corn gluten meal, distillers grains or distillers
grains with solubles, blood meal, salt, macro-minerals, trace
minerals, and vitamins.
[0005] Further, animal feed producers have recognized that
desirable nutritional composition changes depending on the
developmental stage of the animal in question (e.g. newborn,
weaning, gestating). The ideal nutrient composition can also change
based on additional factors, including the health of the animal and
whether the animal is nursing. Therefore, animal feed producers
have recognized that by mixing ingredients to produce an ideal
nutritional composition for particular animals at particular growth
stages, they can meet evaluation criteria.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a method and system for maximizing
nutritional criteria satisfaction. Further, there is a need for a
system and method to create a customized animal feed formulated to
satisfy some requirement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An exemplary embodiment is related to a system for
determining customized feed for at least one animal. The system can
include a first memory portion configured to store animal data
representative of the characteristics of the animal, a second
memory portion configured to store feed data representative of feed
ingredients, and a data processing circuit in communication with
the memory portions and configured to generate a nutritional
profile including a desirable nucleic acid material content for the
animal based upon the animal data. The data processing circuit can
be further configured to generate formulation data representative
of a combination of feed ingredients. The formulation data can be
generated by the data processing circuit based upon the nutritional
profile data and the feed data.
[0008] An exemplary embodiment is related to a system for
determining customized feed for at least one animal. The system can
include a first memory portion configured to store animal data
representative of the characteristics of the animal, a second
memory portion configured to store feed data representative of feed
ingredients, a third memory portion configured to store evaluation
data representative of at least one evaluation criteria, and a data
processing circuit in communication with the memory portions and
configured to generate a nutritional profile including a desirable
nucleic acid material content for the animal based upon the animal
data. The data processing circuit can be further configured to
generate formulation data representative of a combination of feed
ingredients. The formulation data can be generated by the data
processing circuit based upon the nutritional profile data, the
feed data and the evaluation data.
[0009] Another exemplary embodiment is related to a system for
determining customized feed for at least one animal. The system
includes a first memory means for storing animal data
representative of the characteristics of the animal, a second
memory means for storing feed data representative of feed
ingredients, a third memory means for storing evaluation data
representative of at least one evaluation criteria, and a
processing means for generating nutritional profile data
representative of a desirable nucleic acid material content for the
animal based upon the animal data. The processing means can
generate formulation data representative of a combination of feed
ingredients. This formulation data can be generated based upon the
nutritional profile data, the feed data and the evaluation
data.
[0010] Another exemplary embodiment can be related to a method for
determining customized feed for at least one animal. The method can
include storing animal data representative of the characteristics
of the animal, storing feed data representative of feed
ingredients, generating nutritional profile data including a
representation of a desirable nucleic acid material content for the
animal based upon the animal data, and generating formulation data
representative of a combination of feed ingredients. The
formulation data can be generated based upon the nutritional
profile data and the feed data.
[0011] Another exemplary embodiment can be related to a method for
determining customized feed for at least one animal. The method can
include storing animal data representative of the characteristics
of the animal, storing feed data representative of feed
ingredients, storing evaluation data representative of at least one
evaluation criteria, generating nutritional profile data including
a representation of a desirable nucleic acid material content for
the animal based upon the animal data, and generating formulation
data representative of a combination of feed ingredients. The
formulation data can be generated based upon the nutritional
profile data, the feed data, and the evaluation data.
[0012] Other principle features and advantages of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the
following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The exemplary embodiments will hereafter be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals
denote like elements, and:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a flow chart, illustrating a method of formulating
an animal feed having a customized nucleic acid material
content;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of a computer
system for use in implementing the animal feed formulation method
described in FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagrammaticial representation of multiple
computers in a networked configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A system for and method of customizing nucleic acid material
content in an animal feed are described. In the following
description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one
skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, structures and
devices are shown in diagram form in order to facilitate
description of the exemplary embodiments.
[0018] In at least one exemplary embodiment illustrated below, a
computer system is described which has a central processing unit
(CPU) that executes sequences of instructions contained in a
memory. More specifically, execution of the sequences of
instructions causes the CPU to perform steps, which are described
below. The instructions may be loaded into a random access memory
(RAM) for execution by the CPU from a read-only memory (ROM), a
mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other
embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or in
combination with, software instructions to implement the functions
described. Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited
to any particular source for the instructions executed by the
computer system.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram 100 depicting the steps in
a method for customizing a nucleic acid material content in an
animal feed. The nucleic acid material content in an animal feed
can include an aggregate level of nucleic acid material materials,
or levels of individual nucleic acid material materials. The
nucleic acid material content in an animal feed refers to any
parameter related to the aggregate level and/or relative amount of
nucleic acid material or a subtype thereof in the feed.
[0020] As referred to herein, the term "nucleic acid material"
includes nucleic acids, nucleotides, nucleosides, and/or nucleic
acid-derived bases. Examples of suitable nucleotides include
adenylic acid, guanylic acid, cytidylic acid, uridylic acid,
inosinic acid, and/or the salts thereof. Examples of suitable
nucleosides include guanosine, deoxyguanosine, adenosine,
deoxyadenosine, cytidine, uridine, inosine and/or deoxyinosine.
Examples of suitable bases of the structural components of nucleic
acids include salts of guanine, cytosine, and/or adenine, e.g.,
hydrochloride salts of one or more of these purine and pyrimidine
bases. The present animal feeds include nucleic acid material which
may commonly contain the nucleotides, the nucleosides and/or the
purine and pyrimidine bases of the structural component of nucleic
acids. Mixtures of purine and pyrimidine bases, e.g., mixtures of
AMP, GMP, UMP and CMP may be obtained by hydrolyzing ribonucleic
acid (e.g., from a yeast) with 5'-phosphodiesterases into
5'-nucleotides. To obtain a mixture of IMP, GMP, UMP and CMP, the
mixture of AMP, GMP, UMP and CMP may be treated with one or more
deaminases.
[0021] The nucleic acid material content of an animal feed may be
customized in terms of the total nucleic acid material content
present in the feed. In some instances, however, it may be
desirable to customize the nucleic acid material content based on
the amounts and/or relative amounts of subtypes of nucleic acid
material. Examples of parameters which may be used to customize an
animal feed include the total amount of purines (e.g., as nucleic
acids, nucleotides, nucleosides and/or purine bases); the total
amount of pyrimidines (e.g., as nucleic acids, nucleotides,
nucleosides and/or pyrimidine bases); the purine/pyrimidine ratio
in the feed; the total amount of individual purines or pyrimidines
(present as nucleic acids, nucleotides, nucleosides and/or bases);
and the relative amounts of two or more individual purines or
pyrimidines (present as nucleic acids, nucleotides, nucleosides
and/or bases).
[0022] Animal feed ingredients have been identified that can be
credited with a relatively high nucleic acid material value. These
ingredients generally include animal, bacterial, and yeast
products. All ingredients typically provided in animal feed can
provide nucleic acid materials. However, specifically designed
formulations can be used to intentionally control the nucleotide
concentration provided in an animal feed as a method to modify
animal performance.
[0023] An animal feed with a customized nucleic acid material
content is applicable to all livestock, poultry, companion animals
and aquaculture nutritional applications. For illustrative purpose,
the method illustrated in FIG. 1 is described with reference to
swine.
[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, in a step 110, animal
information is received. The animal information can include a type
of animal, a production stage of the animal and a health state of
the animal. Types of animals could include bovine, swine, various
species of fish, etc. The production stage of the animal could
include a weaning stage, a starter stage, a production stage, a
gestating stage or any stage useful in delineating a group of
animals with similar nutritional needs. The health of the animal
could include healthy, ill, severely ill, etc.
[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, the animal information
can be received using a type of input device associated with a
computer, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a voice recognition system,
etc. An exemplary computing system is described with reference to
FIG. 2. According to an alternative embodiment, the animal
information can be received over a communication link, such as a
computer network, a phone link, a fax line, standard mail, etc. An
exemplary network configuration is described with reference to FIG.
3.
[0026] Animal information received in step 110 can be used to
generate an animal nutrient requirement profile in a step 120. The
animal nutrient requirement profile can include a listing of one or
more of the following: proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fat,
energy, vitamins, minerals and/or nucleic acid material
requirements. Depending on the sophistication of the profile
generation system, the listing can include a greater or fewer
number of entries. For example, according to alternative
embodiment, the listing can further include the fiber content. The
listings may also vary according to the type of animal. According
to an alternative embodiment, the animal nutrient requirement
profile can include a range of values that represent desirable
nutrient levels.
[0027] The animal nutrient requirement profile can be a listing of
desirable nutrient levels for the animal described in the animal
information. The ideal nutrient levels can include a desirable
nucleic acid material content for the animal described in the
animal information. An example can be a healthy, weaning pig
nutrient profile which includes about 1-5% fat, 18-30% crude
protein and about 3000-3500 kcal metabolizable energy. The nutrient
profile can further include a requirement of at least 0.5 wt. %
nucleic acid material and typically includes about 0.2-0.4 wt. %
nucleic acid material in the diet to maximize growth.
[0028] The animal nutrient requirement profile may also include
limiting values indicating that an animal feed should not contain
more than a given level of a particular nutrient. Advantageously, a
limiting value can be used to prevent excess utilization of
nutrients that, at higher levels, may be growth limiting or even
toxic.
[0029] In a step 130, ingredient information can be received. The
ingredient information can be information related to ingredients to
be used in formulation of the animal feed. The ingredient
information can include a listing of ingredients available for use
in production of an animal feed. The ingredient listing can be a
listing of all available ingredients on a national market, a
listing of ingredients available in a local market, a listing of
ingredients available at a particular site, or any other set or
subset of ingredients.
[0030] The ingredient information can further include additional
information related to the available ingredients. The additional
information can include the cost of the ingredient, the ingredient
nutrient content profile of the ingredient, any limitations of the
availability of the ingredient and any other related information.
The cost of the ingredient can be normalized to account for any
shipping, storage, or other overhead costs. The ingredient nutrient
content profile can be a complete listing of all nutrient levels in
an ingredient or a subset of the nutrient levels sufficient to make
an analysis. The ingredient nutrient content profile of the
ingredient can further include the amount of nucleic acid material
present in the ingredient. The ingredient listing may vary
according to the type of animal to include only ingredients that
are used to feed that type of animal.
[0031] In a step 140, an evaluation criteria is received. The
evaluation criteria may be chosen from a criteria related to animal
productivity such as animal production rate (e.g. growth or rate of
production of a food product such as milk or eggs), cost of feed
per unit animal weight gain and feed weight per unit animal weight
gain. The evaluation criteria can be a particular criteria that a
producer would like to optimize. For example, a pork producer may
wish to optimize rate of gain by selecting a feed which maximizes
the rate at which a pig gains weight.
[0032] The evaluation criteria can include a single criteria or
multiple criteria. If multiple criteria are provided, the criteria
can be given weights designating their relative importance in a
calculation. As an example, a producer may want to generate an
animal feed that is weighted 70% on a animal production rate
criteria and 30% on a cost of feed per unit animal weight gain
basis.
[0033] The evaluation criteria can incorporate responses to the
optimization of nucleic acid material content in an animal feed.
Responses to nucleic acid materials can include immune
activation/regulation, tissue growth, and tissue functioning.
[0034] Following the collection of data in step 110 through step
140, a processing step 150 can be performed. The processing step
can be performed by a processing means. An exemplary processing
means can be a computer as described with reference to FIG. 2. The
processing step can use a linear program to generate a profile for
an animal feed according to the evaluation criteria provided in
step 140. A linear program can be a mathematical model capable of
solving problems involving a large number of variables limited by
constraints using linear math functions. A variety of different
linear math programs capable of solving problems of this type are
known to those of skill in the art. One example of a program of
this type is commercially available from Format International of
St. Louis, Mo. as part of a computer software system for solving
complicated multivariable problems.
[0035] The linear program can further include functionality to
account for different weights associated with multiple evaluation
criteria. The incorporation of weighting information in a linear
program is known to those of skill in the art.
[0036] A processing means which includes the linear program,
described with reference to FIG. 2, can take input data (e.g.
animal nutrient requirement profile, evaluation criteria,
ingredient nutrient content profile, etc.) as a basis to compute
animal feed data. Animal feed data can include data specifying a
combination of ingredients solution which is solved to fulfill a
desired animal nutrient requirement profile based on one or more
evaluation criteria.
[0037] Advantageously, the method described with reference to FIG.
1 allows a producer to formulate an animal feed with an optimized
nucleic acid material content. Advantageously, dietary nucleic acid
materials are digested to nucleotides and nucleosides that are
absorbed by the animal. These nucleotides and nucleosides can then
be utilized (incorporated) in DNA and RNA of multiplying cells as
well as RNA to regulate processes in established cells (e.g., gene
expression level). Utilizing absorbed nucleic acid materials is
more efficient than de novo synthesis of nucleic acid materials or
part thereof. Energy and amino acids are spared when absorbed
nucleic acid materials are utilized; either as nucleosides,
nucleotides, purines, or pyrimidines in phosphorylated and
non-phosphorilated form. Moreover, de novo synthesis of nucleic
acid materials may limit the growth rate of an animal. Absorbed
nucleotides and nucleosides still maintain a
ribose-purine/pyrimidine structure that is believed to be the heart
of the responses observed.
[0038] The utilization of nucleic acid materials in swine diets can
improve performance when the animal has a high rate of cell
(re)generation or increased need of gene expression (need for
nutrient transporters). A high rate of get cell (re)generation
and/or increased need of gene expression usually occurs in
association with high tissue growth rates. High tissure growth
rates can occur, for example, after intestinal villi atrophy due to
a severely reduced feed intake, after changes in nutrient supply
that depend on transporter mechanisms, and/or during peak growth
periods. High tissue growth rates are generally related to weaning
stress in piglets, lactating of sows, after or during an intestinal
infection/irritation and/or during periods of rapid growth.
Responses in animal performance are also expected during rapid
growth of the intestinal tract, muscle, fetal, and mammary
development.
[0039] Potential performance improvements may be dependent on the
production stage of the animals. Improved gain, feed intake and
feed efficiency are expected in nursery and finishing pigs. Mature
animals (sows and boars) would show improved feed efficiency and
condition after a challenge. Gestating and lactating sows can show
improved feed efficiency, gain, and reproductive characteristics.
Reproductive characteristics are increased pigs/litter birth
weight, litter growth rate, litter weaning weight, pig
weaned/litter/sow, and sow body weight at weaning and reduced days
to first estrous and days weaning to gestation for the sow.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer system 200 that can be used to
calculate an animal feed having an optimized nucleic acid material
content. Computer system 200 can include a processor 210, a memory
220, a visual display unit 230, an input device 240, and an output
device 250.
[0041] Computer system 200 can be any type of computing device,
including work stations, laptops, notebooks, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), or other equipment capable of receiving input
from input device 240, accessing memory 220, executing a series of
instructions and providing an output to visual display unit 230 or
output device 250. Processor 220 can be any type of processor
capable of executing instructions, such as an Intel.RTM.
PENTIUM.RTM. processor sold by Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, Calif.
Visual display unit 230 can be any type of visual display, such as
a CRT tube monitor or an LCD display screen. Input device 240 can
be a keyboard, a touchpad, voice recognition, file transfer, or any
other method or apparatus for communicating information to
standalone computing system 200. Output device 250 can be a laser
printer, a dot matrix printer, an email program, or any other
method or apparatus of communicating information from standalone
computing system 400.
[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, a customer seeking a
formulation for an animal feed having an optimized nucleic acid
material content can utilize the methods described with reference
to FIG. 1 using computer system 200. The customer can use input
device 240 to provide necessary inputs. Computing system 200 can be
used to implement an animal feed formulation system in which
processor 220 can receive the inputs, access memory 220 for
additional required information, and perform necessary
calculations. The results of the analysis can be provided
alternatively on visual display unit 230 or output device 250.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 for providing an animal feed
formulation having a customized nucleic acid material content in a
network environment. System 300 can include a first computing
system 320, a computer network 330, and a second computing system
340. Second computing system 340 further includes a web browsing
application 350 capable of displaying a web page 360 provided by
first computing system 320.
[0044] First computing system 320 and second computing system 340
can be any type of computer system, such as standalone computing
system 200, discussed in reference to FIG. 2. Computing system 320
and second computing system 340 further include devices for
communicating over network 330.
[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, network 330 is the
Internet, a worldwide network of computer networks that use various
protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange. Network 330
can use a protocol, such as the TCP/IP network protocol or the
DECnet, X.25, and UDP protocols. According to alternative
embodiments, network 330 can be any type of network, such as a
virtual private network (VPN), an Ethernet, or a Netware network.
Further, network 330 can include a configuration, such as, a wide
area network (WAN) or a local area network (LAN). Network 330
preferably provides communication with a Hypertext Markup Language
(HTML).
[0046] Web browsing application 350 can be any type of application
capable of accessing information stored on other computing systems
over network 330. Examples can include applications such as
Internet Explorer sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.
or Netscape sold by Netscape Communications Inc. of Mountain View,
Calif. According to an exemplary embodiment, web browsing
application 350 can be used to access first computing system 320,
to receive data, and to display web page 360.
[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment, a customer seeking to
utilize system 300 to obtain an animal feed formulation having a
customized nucleic acid material content can access second
computing system 340 and run web browsing application 350. Web
browsing application 350 can be directed to retrieve web page 360
from first computing system 320 over network 330.
[0048] Once retrieved, web page 360 can be used by the customer to
provide necessary inputs. The necessary input can include the
animal data, available feed ingredients, and evaluation criteria as
described with reference to FIG. 1. First computing system can
receive the inputs.
[0049] Based on the inputs, first computing system 200 can gather
necessary data related to the inputs. Examples could include an
idealized nutrient profile for the animal described in the animal
data, the nutrient profile for the available ingredients listed,
etc. Gathering necessary data can include accessing stored values
available locally or over the network.
[0050] The data can then be utilized as input to a linear math
program, described with reference to FIG. 1, to generate an animal
feed formulation. First computing system 320 can then transfer the
animal feed formulation to second computing system 340 over network
330 for display on web page 360.
[0051] Although ingredients naturally contain levels of nucleic
acid materials, it may be advantageous to utilize an ingredient
that has a relatively higher concentration of nucleic acid
material. Ingredients that contain genetic material derived from
either cell nuclei or ribosomal DNA or RNA can contain nucleic acid
material concentrations. Tissues with a relative high DNA and RNA
to cell dry matter ratio can include a relatively higher
concentration of nucleic acid materials. Some processing methods
may increase nucleic acid material concentration by preferential
separation of non-nucleic acid material compounds out of the final
feed ingredient.
[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, the starting material
for the animal feed ingredient can be a byproduct of heparin
production. Heparin is an organic compound including a mixture of
complex carbohydrate molecules called mucopolysaccharides. It
functions as a short-term anticoagulant used to prevent thrombosis
during and after surgery and for initial treatment of various
heart, lung, or circulatory disorders in which there is an
increased risk of blood clotting. The byproducts of heparin
production can be formed into an animal feed ingredient having a
high nucleic acid material content.
[0053] Advantageously, a single ingredient with a high nucleic acid
material content allows the producer greater flexibility to satisfy
other evaluation criteria in addition to nucleic acid material
levels. It can also provide a cost benefit in reducing the mass of
material, possibly having surplus nutrients, that must be utilized
to meet nucleic acid material requirements.
[0054] Additionally, an ingredient having a high nucleic acid
material content can provide high levels of nucleic acid material
with less bulk. This advantage can be important if the animal has
reduced consumption caused by weaning or illness.
[0055] While the exemplary method described above yields a product
with a high nucleic acid material content, any ingredient can be
used to modify the nucleic acid material content of an animal feed.
The ingredients can be naturally occurring or produced as a result
of a processing method.
[0056] Further, while the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the
figures and described above are presently preferred, it should be
understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example
only. Other examples may include, for example, a wide variety of
ways to convey information regarding animal information or
formulations having a customized nucleic acid material content such
as, wireless application protocol (WAP), personal digital assistant
(PDA) protocols, and other presentation means. Further, while
exemplary embodiments describe the invention in the context of
livestock feed, the invention may extend to other types of animal
feed in which a customized nucleic acid material content is
advantageous. Additionally, specific information is described above
as coming from specific sources for use in the system and method,
but any information that is relevant, from any source, can be used
in the calculations. The invention is not limited to a particular
embodiment, but extends to various modifications, combinations, and
permutations that nevertheless fall within the scope and spirit of
the appended claims.
* * * * *