ARS | Publication request: POTENTIAL USES FOR COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION PRODUCTS

Submitted to: Proceedings of Allen D Leman Swine Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 31, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Concern over the emergence of resistant bacterial populations has put pressure on today's livestock producers to find alternatives to sub- therapeutic administration of antibiotics. Competitive exclusion is one potential strategy that may alleviate the need for antibiotics, particularly in the young animal. The aim of competitive exclusion technology is to take advantage of the protective effect of a normal healthy gut microflora by facilitating the natural colonization process. The need for such a technology arises out of consequences caused by modern agricultural production practices, which oftentimes may delay or perturb the natural establishment of a healthy gut flora. Numerous studies have shown that such treatment provides a measure of protection to newly hatched avian species and results from recent efforts to develop a competitive exclusion culture for the swine industry have been encouraging. Within the present proceedings, we review the development of competitive exclusion technology for both poultry and swine and discuss the potential uses of such technology as alternatives to sub-therapeutic administration of antibiotics.