DIRECT-FED MICROBIALS AND METHODS OF THEIR USE
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.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A method of controlling detrimental environmental effects of manure, the method comprising the steps of administering to an animal a feed composition or drinking water comprising an effective amount of an additive comprising an isolated Bacillus strain selected from the group consisting of Bacillus strain 86 (NRRL No. B-50944), Bacillus strain 300 (NRRL No. B-50943), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of Bacillus strain 86 (NRRL No. B-50944), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of Bacillus strain 300 (NRRL No. B-50943), and combinations thereof, and controlling the detrimental environmental effects of the manure.
3 - 7 . (canceled)
8 . The method of claim 2 wherein the strain administered is Bacillus strain 86 (NRRL No. B-50944).
9 . The method of claim 2 wherein the strain administered is Bacillus strain 300 (NRRL No. B-50943).
10 . The method of claim 2 wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of a poultry species, a porcine species, a bovine species, an ovine species, and an equine species.
11 . The method of claim 2 wherein the Bacillus strain causes an effect selected from the group consisting of reducing the pH of manure, reducing the long chain fatty acid content of manure, reducing ammonia in manure, reducing manure pit foaming, reducing explosive gases in manure, reducing ammonia volatilization, and combinations thereof.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the reduction in ammonia in the manure reduces ammonia flashing in a barn.
13 . The method of claim 11 wherein the reduction in long chain fatty acid content in the manure results in a reduction in explosive gases in the manure wherein the gases are selected from the group consisting of methane gas, hydrogen gas, phosphine gas, and combinations thereof.
14 . The method of claim 11 wherein the reduction in ammonia in the manure improves nitrogen value in the manure wherein the manure is used as a fertilizer.
15 . The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of administering to the animal another bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of another Bacillus strain, a lactic acid bacterial strain, and combinations thereof.
16 . The method of claim 2 wherein the strain administered is Bacillus strain 86 (NRRL No. B-50944), or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of Bacillus strain 86 (NRRL No. B-50944).
17 . The method of claim 2 wherein the strain administered is Bacillus strain 300 (NRRL No. B-50943), or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of Bacillus strain 300 (NRRL No. B-50943).
18 . The method of claim 2 wherein the Bacillus strain is administered in the feed composition at a dose of about 1.0×10 3 CFU/gram of the feed composition to about 5.0×10 12 CFU/gram of the feed composition.
19 . The method of claim 2 wherein the Bacillus strain is administered in the feed composition at a dose of about 1.0×10 3 CFU/gram of the feed composition to about 1.0×10 7 CFU/gram of the feed composition.
20 . The method of claim 2 wherein the Bacillus strain is administered in the feed composition at a dose greater than about 7.0×10 4 CFU/gram of the feed composition.