A direct-fed microbial (DFM) based on a combination of Bacillus organisms specifically selected to increase the manure decomposition process was evaluated to determine its efficacy for improving growth performance and manure dissolution time. Three experiments involving 336 crossbred barrows and gilts were conducted to determine the effect of the Bacillus-based direct-fed microbial on growth performance and pen cleaning time. In each experiment, 2 dietary treatments (0 and 0.05% DFM) were fed during the growing-finishing period throughout the experiment, such that the DFM provided 1.47 x 10(8) cfu of Bacillus organisms per gram of supplement. Data from the 3 experiments were combined for analysis, such that there were 28 pens representing each of the 2 treatments. Pigs were weighed and feed intake was determined at the initiation and termination of each phase (starter, grower, and finisher). At the end of Exp. 1 and 3, pen cleaning time was determined by measuring the time required for each pen to be scraped and washed with a high-pressure sprayer. Additionally, 2 solid manure mat samples weighing approximately 4 g each were collected from solid manure buildup in each pen (16 pens/treatment), and the time required to completely disperse each manure mat sample was determined. Gain:feed improved (P < 0.05) in pigs fed Bacillus compared with the control diet during the finisher phase and throughout the combined growing-finishing period. The time required to dissolve the manure mat was reduced (P < 0.01) in samples collected from pens containing pigs fed Bacillus compared with samples from control pens. An additional evaluation was conducted in a commercial swine production facility using statistical process control analysis. Statistical process control analysis determined that supplementation with Bacillus increased the expected mean for ADG and decreased the expected mean for death loss percentage. Supplementation with a DFM composed of specifically selected Bacillus organisms improved G:F and decreased the time required to disperse a swine manure mat sample in a controlled study conducted at swine research facilities. Furthermore, when evaluated in a commercial swine production facility, the Bacillus-based DFM improved ADG and reduced mortality of pigs during the growing-finishing period.
In 1995, an antibiotic (ANT) was used in starter, grower, and withdrawal (WD) feeds by 94.3, 98.2, and 75.1% of broiler production units, but by 2000, ANT use had declined to 64.8, 66.9, and 48.1% respectively. Roxarsone (ROX) was used in the starter and grower feeds by 69.8 and 73.9% of production units. Bacitracin (BAC) was used more frequently than other antibiotics in the starter and grower feed. Virginiamycin (VIR) was used most frequently in the WD feed. Most units (69.4%) reported use of two different antibiotics. The use of programs comprising two ANT decreased, whereas programs with a single ANT increased during the period of study. A combination of ionophore (ION) + ROX + ANT was employed most frequently in the starter and grower feeds, whereas an ANT alone was used most frequently in the WD ration. The use of ION + ROX + ANT declined from 1995 to 2000, but use of ION + ROX increased. There were no significant differences in calorie conversion whether plants used ION + ROX + ANT, ION + ROX, or ION + ANT. The number of days to rear birds to 2.27 kg was significantly greater for production units using ION + ROX. Mortality was lower for units that used ION + ROX + ANT and ION + ROX than for those that used ION + ANT. Production units that used ION + ANT were more likely to rear birds to a weight greater than 2.5 kg than to 2.0 to 2.5 kg. Units in the South and Central states were more likely to use an ION + ROX than those in the Northeast and Atlantic states, whereas for ION + ROX + ANT the reverse was the case. The cost of medicating with ION + ROX + ANT decreased from 1995 to 1998.
Undesirable storage characteristics and changes in nutritive value that occur when alfalfa hay is baled at Conserving hay at moisture concentrations Ͼ200 g kg Ϫ1 is known moisture concentrations Ͼ200 g kg Ϫ1 are well docuto cause spontaneous heating and negative effects on forage nutritive value. While these relationships have been evaluated extensively for mented (Collins et al., 1987;Coblentz et al., 1996). Conalfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), less research has evaluated these factors siderably less information is available concerning storin warm-season grasses, specifically bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon age characteristics and changes in nutritive value that (L.) Pers.]. In this study, 'Greenfield' bermudagrass was grown on a occur in grass hays, particularly in warm-season grass Pickwick silt loam soil (fine-silty, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic hays. Reduction of forage nutritive value, primarily in-Paleudult) and packaged in conventional rectangular bales at five duced by microbial activity and the subsequent generaconcentrations of moisture (178, 208, 248, 287, and 325 g kg Ϫ1 ) and Received 26 Oct. 1999. *Corresponding author (coblentz@comp. N expressed on a total N basis; NDSN-DM, neutral detergent soluble N uark.edu). expressed on a total DM basis; NDSN-N, neutral detergent soluble N expressed on a total N basis. Published in Crop Sci
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