Strains and methods for improving ruminant health and/or performance

Abstract

Described are strains including Enterococcus faecium strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), Enterococcus faecium strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), Bacillus pumilus strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174) and strains having all of the identifying characteristics of each of these strains. One or more of the strains can be used to treat or prevent acidosis. They can also be used to improve other measures of ruminant health and/or performance. Methods of using the strains, alone and in combination, are described. Methods of making the strains are also provided.

1 . An isolated strain selected from the group consisting of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172),  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The strain of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173). 
     
     
         3 . The strain of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173). 
     
     
         4 . The strain of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172). 
     
     
         5 . The strain of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172). 
     
     
         6 . The strain of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174). 
     
     
         7 . The strain of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174). 
     
     
         8 . A combination comprising:
 an isolated strain selected from the group consisting of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172),  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), and combinations thereof; and   monensin.   
     
     
         9 . A method comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of a strain selected from the group consisting of a strain selected from the group consisting of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172),  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein upon administration to the animal, the strain provides at least one of the following benefits in or to the animal when compared to an animal not administered the strain: (a) reduces acidosis, (b) stabilizes ruminal metabolism as indicated by delayed lactic acid accumulation and prolonged production of volatile fatty acids, (c) recovers more quickly from acidosis challenge as measured by pH recovery and lactic acid decline, and (d) reduces exhibition of clinical signs associated with acidosis, (e) increases milk production, (f) increases milk fat content, (g) decreases somatic cell count (SCC), (h) improves immunological response and health as evidenced by decreased SCC, and (i) increases efficiency of milk production. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animal is a ruminant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animal is a bull, steer, heifer, cow or calf. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), or combinations thereof, and wherein the strain is administered to the animal at a level such that the animal is dosed daily with about 5×10 8  CFU/animal/day to about 5×10 10  CFU/animal/day. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the strain is  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), and wherein the strain is administered to the animal at a level such that the animal are dosed daily with about 5×10 8  CFU/animal/day to about 5×10 10  CFU/animal/day. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the strain is administered to the animal starting from about 30 days of age. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animal is a beef animal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animal is a dairy cow. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein upon administration to the dairy cow, the strain provides at least one of the following benefits in or to the dairy cow when compared to a dairy cow not administered the strain: (a) the strain increases daily fat yield and milk fat percent in the dairy cow administered the strain, (b) the strain lowers the log Somatic cell count (LogSCC) scores in the dairy cow administered the strain, (c) improves immunological response and health as evidenced by decreased LogSCC, (d) increases efficiency of milk production in dairy cow administered the strain, and (a) when the dairy cows are second parity or greater cows, the strain increases milk production of milk in the dairy cow administered the strain. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the increase in milk production in the dairy cow administered the strain is achieved with substantially no increase in dry matter intake in the dairy cow administered the strain. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173). 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172). 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the strain is  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174). 
     
     
         23 . A method comprising administering to an animal a combination comprising:
 an effective amount of a strain selected from the group consisting of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172),  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), and combinations thereof; and   monensin.   
     
     
         24 . A method of making a direct-fed microbial, the method comprising:
 (a) growing in a liquid nutrient broth a strain selected from the group consisting of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172),  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), and a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174); and   (b) separating the strain from the liquid nutrient broth to make the direct-fed microbial.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising freeze drying the strain. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173). 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the strain is  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172). 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the strain is  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174). 
     
     
         29 . A method of making a direct-fed microbial, the method comprising:
 (a) growing in a liquid nutrient broth a strain selected from the group consisting of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173),  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172),  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-1 (NRRL B-50173), a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Enterococcus faecium  strain 8G-73 (NRRL B-50172), and a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of  Bacillus pumilus  strain 8G-134 (NRRL B-50174);   (b) separating the strain from the liquid nutrient broth to make the direct-fed microbial; and   (c) adding monensin to the direct-fed microbial.