Why are Direct-Fed Microbials Fed to Livestock?
Also known as DFM or probiotics, direct-fed microbials are live microorganisms that can have the ability to improve the microbial balance in the guts of livestock and other animals if adequate amounts are provided in the diet.
When it comes to direct-fed microbials, they are normally categorized into three categories, including bacillus-based, lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeasts. Similar in the way they work to prebiotics, direct-fed microbials can increase the good bacteria that are beneficial because they can increase the production of short-chain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids can lower the pH level in the gut while reducing enteric pathogens. They can also facilitate the proliferation of intestinal cells, which can help maintain the integrity of the gut of the livestock. When the population of good bacteria is increased, it will also control the number of Internet pathogens through what is called competitive exclusion.
The term direct-fed microbials is often used interchangeably with probiotics since they are basically the same thing. Direct-fed microbial’s are feed additives that contain within them microbial species that are considered to be normal flora for the intestine that will not produce pathogens and help stop pathogens from forming. Basically, a probiotic is defined as a live microbial feed supplement. Direct-fed microbials, or probiotics, refer to living organisms and should never be confused with prebiotics, which are compounds that actually promote the growth of negative bacteria within the gut of livestock.
Bacillus-Based Direct-Fed Microbials
Bacillus-based direct-fed microbials are a type of bacteria that is able to form spores. These spores are thermostable and can also survive at a very low pH level, which makes this type of direct-fed microbial very stable when it comes to the feeding process as well as gastric digestion. These types of spores that are produced germinate yet will not proliferate within the intestine when it comes to livestock. This means there is a constant supply of direct-fed microbials being produced to maintain their population.
Lactic Acid-Producing Bacteria
Lactic acid-producing bacteria do not form spores and they are made up of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Enterococcus faecium. This type of microbial has the ability to proliferate within the intestine so it can stabilize a microbial population. This type of bacteria is not thermostable so it can be difficult for it to survive the processing of the feed for livestock.
Yeast
Yeast is another direct-fed microbial and it is seen as a single species and as a single-strain bacteria. Most commercial feed products contain more than one species or strain, but microbials may contain a combination of both prebiotics and yeast.
How Direct-Fed Microbials Work
When an animal is born, bacteria populate throughout the intestine in the first few days of life. During this normal fermentation process, good bacteria forms and produces organic acids, including acidic, butyric, and lactic. These acids can lower the pH level in the intestinal area and stop the growth of harmful pathogens. But some of the species of bacteria can also produce several antimicrobial compounds, which are called bacteriocins. These have the ability to inhibit the growth of pathogens within the intestine of the animal. The intestinal bacteria can also improve the barrier effect that intestinal mucosa has on the intestine and they can interact directly with the immune system, which strengthens the immune system and can protect the calf against the invasion of pathogens.
Direct-fed microbials can also reduce the stress that comes about when calves are weaned, if there is a change in weather or diet, they are transported to another location, or they have been treated with antimicrobials, which can reduce the number of normal microflora that needs to be in the animals intestine when the normal intestinal microflora or negatively affected, the defensive mechanisms in the intestine is negatively impacted which could make the calf more susceptible to diseases.
Quality Direct-Fed Microbials are Important
Direct-fed microbials are regulated as feed ingredients under the supervision and approval of the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both agencies recognize a certain list of microorganisms that are appropriate to be used in the production of animal feeds. These microbial products are usually listed on the product label under their scientific names as well as a description of each one.
It is a requirement of these agencies that any organisms in an animal feed are to be listed on the label of the animal feed and must also guarantee that there are a certain number of live and viable organisms per pound, gram, or ounce of feed.
Several studies over the years have proven that there is a significantly improved performance in both swine and cattle when probiotic bacteria, direct-fed microbials, are fed to the animals. It has been proven that direct-fed microbials increase the growth in calves as well as the feed efficiency in both cattle and swine. They also help to promote greater body weight gain from the milk feeding period in the lives of livestock and increase feed efficiency overall.
American Biosystems
When it comes to high-quality direct-fed microbial that are needed to produce healthy livestock, American Biosystems has the products that are needed. From the Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product and Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product to the Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Bacillus Species Viable Spore Concentrate, and Blended Fermentation Product Series, American Biosystems offers high-quality direct-fed microbials that are needed for livestock to remain healthy throughout their lives.
