Bacillus Direct-Fed Microbials for High-DDGS Animal Diets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct-fed microbial products have lost efficacy due to the increased use of dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS) in animal diets, leading to reduced animal performance, increased manure waste issues, and negative environmental effects such as ammonia volatilization and explosive gases.
Innovation Solution
A direct-fed microbial composition comprising Bacillus strains 86 and 300, which improve animal performance by increasing feed conversion, reducing disease, and mitigating manure waste issues, including ammonia and gas emissions, through the use of Bacillus strains in animal feed or drinking water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS) are increased in animal diets, then feed cost is reduced, but animal performance deteriorates and manure waste issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces direct-fed microbial products containing specific bacterial strains (Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Propionibacterium species) as intermediary organisms that mediate between the DDGS feed component and the animal digestive system. These microbes produce enzymes that break down difficult-to-digest components in DDGS, improving nutrient absorption and animal performance while maintaining high DDGS inclusion levels in the diet.
2Quantity of substance
If dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS) are increased in animal diets, then feed cost is reduced, but manure handling and storage become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs direct-fed microbial products containing specific bacterial strains as intermediaries that modify manure composition and properties. These microbes enhance the degradation of organic matter in manure, improving its stability and reducing odors, thereby facilitating easier handling and storage even when high levels of DDGS are present in the animal diet.
3Quantity of substance
If dried distillers grain solubles (DDGS) are increased in animal diets, then feed cost is reduced, but negative environmental effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces direct-fed microbial products containing specific bacterial strains as intermediary organisms that modify the metabolic processes in the animal digestive system and manure composition. These microbes reduce ammonia production and volatilization by improving protein digestion efficiency and altering nitrogen metabolism, thereby mitigating negative environmental effects even when high levels of DDGS are included in the diet.
4Productivity
If existing direct-fed microbial products are used, then animal performance is improved, but efficacy is lost over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining multiple specific bacterial strains (Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Propionibacterium species) into a single direct-fed microbial product. This multi-strain composition provides synergistic effects and ensures sustained efficacy by targeting different aspects of digestion and nutrient utilization, preventing the loss of effectiveness over time that occurs with single-strain or less specific formulations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The Bacillus strains enhance animal performance by increasing feed intake and gain, improve feed efficiency, reduce disease, and mitigate negative environmental effects in manure, thereby reducing the need for antibiotics and lowering feed costs.
Implementation Method 1
improved metabolizable energy due to breakdown of difficult to digest feed components in the diet (e.g., DDGS)
Implementation Method 2
reduced negative environmental effects on animals due to ammonia volatilization, reduced disease concerns from animal pathogens
Implementation Method 3
affecting manure handling, storage, and decomposition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to direct-fed microbials for use in improving the performance of an animal, improving the health of an animal, improving the environment of an animal, and combinations thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to isolated Bacillus strains 86 and 300, and strains having all of the identifying characteristics of these strains, for uses comprising the above-mentioned uses.