Direct Fed Microbials feed supplement

About Direct Fed Microbials feed supplement

Direct “ fed microbials, also known as probiotics, are feed additives containing live microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts, that are intended to benefit the animal™s health and productivity by improving the gut microbial balance.

Direct-fed microbials (DFMs) are live, naturally occurring microorganisms”such as bacteria or yeasts”added to animal feed to promote health and improve performance. They are commonly used as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters, especially in light of growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and residue contamination in animal products. DFMs function primarily by modulating the gut microbiota, enhancing nutrient digestion, improving immune response, and reducing harmful pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Common microbial strains used in DFMs include Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Propionibacterium, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast).

DFMs have been widely used in poultry and swine with well-documented benefits, but research in ruminants (like cattle, sheep, and goats) is less conclusive, with mixed results. Despite their potential, challenges such as strain selection, viability during feed processing, and inconsistent efficacy under field conditions continue to limit their widespread adoption in ruminant production.