Supplementation of direct-fed microbial Enterococcus faecium 669 affects performance of preweaning dairy calves

Abstract

Graphical Abstract Summary: Optimization of preweaning performance might have medium- to long-term effects on the dairy cow herd. Hence, the use of technologies that promote preweaning performance is warranted and deserves to be investigated. One such technology could be direct-fed microbials, which support health and performance of ruminants. To investigate this, we fed Enterococcus faecium 669 to preweaning dairy Holstein calves. Overall, feeding E. faecium 669 improved average daily gain and yielded heavier calves at weaning, and a tendency for a reduced occurrence of diarrhea was also observed. In summary, feeding E. faecium 669 was a feasible strategy to promote performance of preweaning dairy calves.

Effect of a Lactobacilli-Based Direct-Fed Microbial Product on Gut Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Morphological Changes

“…In the current study, calves remained healthy and did not become clinically ill during the study period. The supplementation of DFM in calves may yield the greatest advantages during periods of health challenges [ 52 , 53 ]. Both groups of calves in this study were pre-screened as healthy, housed in separate individual pens, and their care followed strict animal husbandry and biosecurity practices, all of which could have contributed significantly to the absence of illness.…”

“…The TRT calves in this study had an increased nutrient-absorptive area of their ruminal papillae compared to the control animals. The papillae growth in the DFM-treated calves in the present study could be related to increased short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (propionate, butyrate; [ 52 ]), because SCFAs are a by-product of microbial fermentation and a healthy rumen epithelium. The observed difference in papillary growth supports the suggested study finding that the rumen is more developed in the DFM-treated calves.…”

A Novel Direct-Fed Microbial for Beef Cattle Has a Supportive Effect against Clostridium perfringens In Vitro and In Vivo

“…Direct-fed microbials, or probiotics, must bring health benefits to the host, whereas healthier animals are more productive and profitable, regardless of being beef [16] or dairy [5] cattle. The combination of different bacterial strains in a DFM mixture might bring additional benefits to the host, as these may also present different modes of action to support the health of the herd.…”

“…Direct-fed microbials (DFM), or probiotics, have been gaining more attention from the scientific community and ruminant production segments, as these have been shown to support the health and performance of beef and dairy calves, as well as mature feedlot beef animals [1][2][3][4][5]. Regardless of the DFM strains being fed, support for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) health is one of the main targets of commercially available DFM products, as health benefits to the host are the core features of DFM, or probiotics [6,7].…”

Stability of Bacillus and Enterococcus faecium 669 Probiotic Strains When Added to Different Feed Matrices Used in Dairy Production

“…In recent years, direct-fed microbials (DFM) have been gaining more space into ruminant production settings, as these confer health benefits to the dairy animal [1-4], regardless of its age or category, while also improving nutrient utilization [5,6], overall performance of the herd [7,8], and the profitability of the dairy operations. Moreover, DFMs have been recognized as a potential alternative to antibiotic feeding in livestock production.…”