Patent
Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for reducing growth of microorganisms in a feed. Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for providing beneficial effects to animals, including but not limited to increasing performance of the animal.
1. A direct fed microbial composition comprising a Bacillus strain for use in reducing a total count or diversity of clostridia in a digestive system of a ruminant having ingested an effective amount of said direct fed microbial composition, wherein the Bacillus strain is selected from the group consisting of: Bacillus subtilis 1104 , deposited as NRRL B- 67258 ; Bacillus subtilis 1781 , deposited as NRRL B- 67259 ; Bacillus subtilis 747 , deposited as NRRL B- 67257 ; Bacillus subtilis 1541 , deposited as NRRL B- 67260 ;
Bacillus subtilis 1999 , deposited as NRRL B- 67318 ; and Bacillus subtilis 2018 , deposited as NRRL B- 67261 ; wherein the Bacillus strain has a concentration of 2×10 8 CFU/ruminant to 2×10 12 CFU/ruminant, and wherein said Bacillus strain is a powdered lyophilized strain.
2. The direct fed microbial composition of claim 1 , wherein the lyophilized Bacillus strain comprises Bacillus spores.
3. The direct fed microbial composition of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier.
4. The direct fed microbial composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a concentration of the Bacillus strain of between 5×10 10 CFU/ruminant and 5 x − 10 12 CFU/ruminant.
5. The direct fed microbial composition of claim 1 , further comprising a cryoprotectant disposed about the Bacillus strain.