Lay Summary Direct-fed microbials (DFM) are increasingly being used as supplements to support productivity and gut health in ruminants. To determine the equivalence of dried MYLO DFMs to the commercially available Liquid MYLO supplement on cattle performance and carcass quality, a pilot study using 264 purebred Angus steers were fed a high-grain diet for 106 days and received daily either a liquid or dried form of the DFM MYLO at two different concentrations compared to a control ration containing no DFM supplement. Effects on liveweight gain, feed efficiency, and carcass traits were considered. Steers receiving the higher concentration of dried supplement (X2 MYLO) gained more weight (+13.8 kg per head) than those receiving the liquid supplement. Although there was no major difference in daily weight gain or feed intake between groups, steers fed MYLO showed a trend toward improved feed efficiency. The X2 MYLO group exited with heaviest carcass weights, resulting in a higher market value (+ AUD 41 per head). Eye muscle area was also larger in steers supplemented with X2 MYLO dried and liquid MYLO compared to the X1 supplement and controls. These results suggest that a high-dose dried Lactobacilaceae-containing DFM could enhance growth performance, improve carcass weight, and increase muscle development in feedlot cattle.
Quinn et al. (Thu,) studied this question.