Grant: Alliance Grants

Morbidity and mortality in young dairy calves remains high, often resulting from early life stressors. Weaning, one such stressor, is associated with short- and long-term consequences such as inflammation and diarrhea. Diarrhea is commonly treated with antimicrobials; however, with regulations restricting the use of antibiotics to mitigate risk of antimicrobial resistance, effective alternatives to antimicrobials are much needed. Our objective is new and innovative: To develop bovine gut-derived direct-fed microbials (bDFM) and evaluate its effects on calf health and performance during low-stress and high-stress weaning transition. Direct-fed microbes (DFM) such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli species have the capacity to enhance gut barrier functions, preventing pathogenic colonization, reducing stress during weaning, and improving body weight gain. Recent research showed DFM are most effective when they are developed and used from the same host species. In this proposal, we will evaluate the potential benefits of bDFM on calf health, inflammatory response during weaning, and long-term physiological performance, when administered during the weaning transition period. Developing bDFM as an effective alternative to antimicrobials is a key step towards reducing AMR in animal and humans and increasing the level of awareness of AMR in humans who work in dairy animal health and production settings. Knowledge transfer of this research will be disseminated through webinars, social media, websites, and field days to professionals, knowledge users, and the general public. Additionally, we will incorporate the results into on-going agricultural and science education at the University, College, and K-12 levels.