Dairy Manufacturers, Inc.

Articles

"Why Should Direct-fed Microbials Be Considered in Milk Replacers?"
Mike Watkins, Ph.D.
Dairy Manufacturers, Inc.

Direct-fed microbial products are used in several milk replacers manufactured by Dairy Manufacturers and are available as an optional additive for most of the milk replacers.

Direct-fed microbials, also called probiotics, are beneficial, naturally occurring viable (live) microorganisms (bacteria, molds and yeasts). The list of organisms that the FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine, found to present no safety concerns when used in direct-fed microbial products includes Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Bacillus spp., Bacteroides spp., Enterococcus spp., Pediococcus spp., Propionibacterium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Saccharomyces spp. (See AAFCO Official Publication for specific strains within organism). Direct-fed microbial products are available in several milk replacers that are on the market or are available as an optional additive for milk replacers.

The purpose for feeding direct-fed micro-organisms is to help maintain healthy intestinal microflora and reduce the opportunity for deleterious organisms to flourish. In other words, they are fed to help maintain normal calf health and performance. Many of these organisms have been shown to exclude pathogens by various mechanisms including competitive exclusion (growing faster than the pathogen, thus out-competing it for sites of attachment and monopolizing the nutrient supply), and/or by changing the intestinal environment (producing organics that reduce the pH, producing low levels of antibiotics and sulfhydral compounds).

Direct-fed microbials are widely viewed as a potential replacement, partially or totally, for antibiotic-type growth promoters. Many antibiotics have been banned for feeding to animals in Europe , and there is concern that a similar ban may be adopted in the U.S. While this may not seem feasible to livestock producers, just look at the movement away from the use of pesticides and the growing popularity of “all natural” and “organic.” Therefore, alternatives to antibiotics, including direct-fed microbials, are being evaluated and offered to those who want to move away from feeding low levels of antibiotics.

Direct-fed microbials are suitable for maintaining the health and performance of food-producing animals. To date, none are quite as effective as antibiotics but are effective in helping reduce the incidence or severity of scours in calves when fed continuously. Additionally, they are excellent supportive therapy following therapeutic drug treatment to reduce the occurrence/severity of Candidiasis (thrush) and other invaders.

Some people say direct-fed microbials don’t work because they never see any difference. Perhaps feeding them should be viewed as an insurance policy… if you have an auto accident without insurance, your pocketbook feels it; however, if you have the accident and are insured, your pocket book never feels it. Pathogens causing scours or other intestinal disturbances may have been ingested. However, because direct-fed microbials were being fed, an illness was very mild or was prevented completely. There was no outward evidence to indicate they worked, but they did. Direct-fed microbials affect growth and performance by helping maintain a healthy calf.