Direct-fed microbials for cattle: from promising prototypes to precision microbiome modulation
Abstract
Direct-fed microbials (DFMs) are live microorganisms or ‘probiotics’ that can be introduced to an ecosystem to confer a benefit. For cattle the application of DFMs holds promise; however, outcomes remain inconsistent suggesting there is significant room for improvement. It is proposed that DFMs can transition from ‘promising but variable’ to ‘predictable and programmable’ if we (i) deepen our genome-to-function understanding of the rumen ecosystem, (ii) greatly expand the cultured diversity of rumen microbes available for testing, and (iii) match DFMs with microbiota-directed fibres (MDFs: prebiotics) as synbiotics. This path should interest microbiologists across subdisciplines – from ecology and systems biology to cultivation, chemical glycobiology and translational animal science.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
Gut microbiota and health
Cancer Research and Treatments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Microbiology Australia
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 107–111
- Publication date
- 12 June 2026
- Language
- EN