Enhancing milk production by adding to feed a nonionic surfactant coated on a carrier

摘要

Methods and compositions are provided for enhancing feed utilization efficiency in a ruminant animal by adding to the feed a sufficient amount of a nonionic surfactant to enhance the utilization of the feed by the animal. The methods and compositions result in enhanced weight gain and/or milk production by the animal. Preferred nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylenesorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylenesorbitan trioleate at a concentration range of from about 0.01 to 1% (w/w) of the dry weight of the feed. A digestion enhancing enzyme and lactic acid bacteria inoculum may also be added to the feed. The surfactant is added to the feed by spraying a dilute solution of the surfactant onto the feed, or by coating the surfactant onto a particulate carrier such as celite, diatomaceous earth or silica and adding the carrier to the feed.