A thirteen pound weight gain difference is certainly a substantial result for a milk replacer additive. This is even more impressive when you consider the varied results on calf performance generally reported for DFM products. The recent BAMN publication,
Direct-Fed Microbials (Probiotics) In Calf Diets, reports that adding direct-fed microbials to milk or milk replacer may support calf intestinal integrity and overall health and concludes that most research has reported little effect of direct-fed microbials on animal growth or feed efficiency. The publication also suggests that companies marketing direct-fed microbial products should research specific organism(s) in the product.
Well, this current research is part of a continuing effort to develop specific, targeted DFM products for calves that utilize selected bacterial strains, evaluated for desirable characteristics and effects. This research actually began over a decade ago, when...
- 1,500 bacterial isolates were obtained from the digestive tracts of young calves. Bacterial strains were evaluated for their colonizing ability, their ability to prevent the growth of pathogens and their compatibility with common antibiotics. The six superior strains were further evaluated in calf trials for their ability to reduce scours and treatment costs and were ultimately selected for inclusion in the DFM product BRELACTIS, marketed by Merrick's, Inc.
- Next, a Bacillus-based DFM selected for its effects in the intestinal lumen, especially under diarrheic conditions, was put to the test in a series of calf trials. This DFM was added to an oral electrolyte and evaluated as a therapy for scours. Pathogen shedding, treatment costs and the severity of scours were all reduced. This is the first report demonstrating efficacy of a DFM used therapeutically to mitigate calf scours.
- This Bacillus-based DFM was then evaluated as a milk replacer additive and a bolus supplement. The objectives of the study were to quantify the effects of the DFM as a bolus or incorporated into a 20% protein, 20% fat milk replacer on calf performance. Bolus treated calves received two boluses -- one on Day 0 and another on Day 6. Both the bolus supplement and the milk replacer additive improved ADG, fecal score and feed efficiency.
- Prior to the current research, Enterococcus faecium ID7, one of the six bacterial strains of BRELACTIS, was selected for further evaluation. E. faecium ID7 was found to have an anti-inflammatory response on intestinal epithelium. By reducing inflammation, E. faecium ID7 allows the immune system to respond to challenges, while helping to partition energy more effectively for calf growth.
An important characteristic to notice from these trials is that the Bacillus-based DFM not only survives the different environments of electrolytes, milk replacers and boluses, it also withstands the associated manufacturing processes. This characteristic greatly enhances its application.
The research studies discussed above are not the complete list of evaluations that went into the development of the
Bacillus-based DFM with
Enterococcus faecium ID7 -- it's commercial name is Omni-bos® CB Plus -- but they clearly demonstrate a systematic, focused approach to developing and evaluating an effective calf DFM product. That makes it pretty special.