We evaluated the effects of a Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on total in vitro gas production, dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and starch disappearance of different feedstuffs and total mixed rations (TMR) in three different experiments. In Exp. 1, six single fiber-based feedstuffs were evaluated: alfalfa hay, buffalo grass, beet pulp, eragrostis hay, oat hay, and smutsvinger grass. Experimental treatments were control (with no probiotic inoculation; CON) or incubation of a probiotic mixture containing Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis (3.2 × 10 9 CFU/g; DFM). The calculation of DFM dose under in vitro conditions was based on the assumption of a rumen capacity of 70 L and the dose of 3 g of the DFM mixture/head per day (9.6 × 10 9 CFU). Total in vitro gas production, DM, and NDF disappearance were evaluated at 24- and 48-h post-treatment incubation. Mean treatment effects were observed at 24- and 48-h gas production (P < 0.0001), as DFM incubation increased in vitro gas production by 5.0 and 6.5%, respectively. For nutrient digestibility, mean DM digestibility was increased at 48-h (P = 0.05), whereas mean NDF digestibility increased at both timepoints by incubating DFM in vitro (P ≤ 0.02). In Exp. 2, nine commercial dairy TMR were collected and evaluated for the same variables and treatments described in Exp. 1, with the additional analysis of starch digestibility at 7 h post in vitro incubation. The only difference was the concentration of the DFM included, being representative for a dosage of 8.8 × 10 9 CFU/head per day. In vitro gas production was increased only at 48-h due to DFM incubation (P = 0.05), whereas DM and NDF digestibility were improved at 24 and 48 h (P ≤ 0.02). No treatment effects were observed on in vitro starch digestibility (P = 0.31). In Exp. 3, a combined analysis of DM and NDF digestibility was performed by using quality values (NDF and CP) of sixteen substrates. Regardless of CP and NDF levels of the substrates, DFM improved in vitro 24- and 48-h DM and NDF digestibility (P ≤ 0.03). In summary, incubating a Bacillus-based DFM (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis; BOVACILLUS TM) improved mean in vitro gas production, DM, and NDF digestibility of single feedstuffs and commercial dairy total mixed rations, highlighting the potential of this combination of Bacillus spp. to improve nutrient utilization, mainly fiber.
