A direct-fed microbial (DFM) based on a combination of Bacillus organisms specifically selected to increase the manure decomposition process was evaluated to determine its efficacy for improving growth performance and manure dissolution time. Three experiments involving 336 crossbred barrows and gilts were conducted to determine the effect of the Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on growth performance and pen cleaning time. In each experiment, 2 dietary treatments (0 and 0.05% DFM) were fed during the growing-finishing period throughout the experiment, such that the DFM provided 1.47 x 10(8) cfu of Bacillus organisms per gram of supplement. Data from the 3 experiments were combined for analysis, such that there were 28 pens representing each of the 2 treatments. Pigs were weighed and feed intake was determined at the initiation and termination of each phase (starter, grower, and finisher). At the end of Exp. 1 and 3, pen cleaning time was determined by measuring the time required for each pen to be scraped and washed with a high-pressure sprayer. Additionally, 2 solid manure mat samples weighing approximately 4 g each were collected from solid manure buildup in each pen (16 pens/treatment), and the time required to completely disperse each manure mat sample was determined. Gain:feed improved (P < 0.05) in pigs fed Bacillus compared with the control diet during the finisher phase and throughout the combined growing-finishing period. The time required to dissolve the manure mat was reduced (P < 0.01) in samples collected from pens containing pigs fed Bacillus compared with samples from control pens. An additional evaluation was conducted in a commercial swine production facility using statistical process control analysis. Statistical process control analysis determined that supplementation with Bacillus increased the expected mean for ADG and decreased the expected mean for death loss percentage. Supplementation with a DFM composed of specifically selected Bacillus organisms improved G:F and decreased the time required to disperse a swine manure mat sample in a controlled study conducted at swine research facilities. Furthermore, when evaluated in a commercial swine production facility, the Bacillus-based DFM improved ADG and reduced mortality of pigs during the growing-finishing period.

A total of 2,304 newly weaned pigs (5.8±0.06 Kg BW, ~21-day old, DNA Genetics) were used in a RCBD to evaluate the effect of a direct-fed microbial (DFM) program on pig performance and survivability, under commercial pig production. Pigs were housed in 2 barns (blocking factor) with 36 pens each (32 pigs/pen, mixed-sex), and pens randomized to treatments: Control or DFM program (36 pens/treatment). The program consisted of a DFM (blend 1) delivered through drinking water (1.32x108 CFU/pig/day) from day 0 to 7, followed by another DFM (blend 2) in feed (1.5x105 CFU/g of feed) from day 7 through 49. Those DFM consisted of spore-forming Bacillus sp. selected to inhibit enterotoxigenic E. coli growth (blend 1) and reduce local inflammation (blend 2). The feeding program included phases 1 and 2 (7 days each) in pellet, and phases 3 (11 days) and 4 (24 days) in meal. Phase 1 feeds included antibiotics Chlortetracycline and Tiamulin; both phase 4 feeds included Carbadox. A severe diarrhea outbreak was observed in week 3; antibiotic therapy (Neomycin, Sulfadiazine or Trimethoprim) throughout drinking water was used in both treatments alike between days 19 and 28. Pig and feed weight were recorded by pen; ADG and ADFI were calculated on pig-days. Pigs removed included mortality and those ill, nonresponsive to antibiotics. Performance data were analyzed by ANOVA, using the GLM procedure. Pigs removed did not follow normal distribution and was analyzed using a parametric survival option with days as time variable (JMP v14.2.0). No differences were detected through day 25. Pigs in DFM consumed less feed (923 vs. 951 g/d; SEM=10.33; P=0.05) and were more efficient (0.61 vs. 0.59 kg/kg; SEM=0.004; P&lt; 0.05) from days 25 to 49. Total pigs removed were reduced (P&lt; 0.05) by 23% in DFM vs. Control (Table 1). In conclusion, the DFM program improved nursery pig survivability and late performance, under commercial pig production that included a diarrhea outbreak and antibiotic therapy.

Nutribiosis is interaction between nutrition, the gastrointestinal microbiome and gut/immune function. Putting nutribiosis into action means re-considering strategies around nutrition and perhaps even husbandry. Monogastric nutritionists are trained to consider the impact of feed and its nutritive value to the growth and development of the pig. Yet today, nutrition needs to consider not just the impact that feed and nutrient digestibility will have on the pig, but also what could happen with the composition, development and maturation of the microbiome as well as immune function within the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, the environment the animal is in may influence gastrointestinal microbial composition and immune competence alongside nutrition as the animal matures from neonate to a robust market hog. From an energetics standpoint, how the microbiome develops ultimately impacts maintenance cost of digestion as well as productive energy that the pig will have to support growth and robustness. As such, good nutribiotic management means balancing favorable microbiome development via targeted nutrition that manages both nutrition to the pig as well as nutrient bypass to the microbiota via use of probiotics, feed enzymes and other nutritive tools, with the end goal being a more robust pig.