One animal health expert summed up the options livestock producers, ranchers and integrated food operations have, now that the FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive restricts sales and purchases of antibiotics over the counter. Aidan Connolly, chief innovation officer for Alltech, offered three choices:

1. Simply do nothing.
2. Replace antibiotics with gut health programs.
3. Take a holistic approach.

The second option holds the best likelihood of success in the post-antibiotic age. Ranchers and producers around the world are farming without antibiotics, notes Dr. Connolly. “They have demonstrated they can achieve similar levels of performance without the use of growth-promoting antibiotics.”

At Durvet, we have invested heavily in time and resources to bring all-natural alternatives to the market: probiotics, prebiotics, antibody-based therapy, enzymes and essential oils. Our strategy is to make animal nutrition programs and products available that do more than deliver nutrients for your customers’ livestock and poultry. We like to think, as Dr. Connolly says, that producers will use nutrition as a tool to foster the right bacteria on the farm, to create a “probiotic environment.”

Durvet’s All Natural Lineup

POULTRY

• Vitamins & Electrolytes contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, and bicarbonate electrolytes as well as a broad spectrum of vitamins and acids that aid hydration and nutrition.
• Probiotics Daily support avian digestive health and nutrient absorption using live (viable) naturally occurring microorganisms.
• Layer Boost improves the quality and quantity of eggs with a blend of vitamins, electrolytes, enzymes, omega 3, and tagetes. Layer Boost also contains a source of live (viable) direct-fed microorganisms.
• DuraStat is an all-natural alternative to stimulate water intake, increase appetite and enhance immunity. Containing extracts of oregano, rosemary and sage, DuraStat is a source of energy and essential oils for daily use.
• Strike III Natural poultry pellets are veterinary formulated to support digestive health and genetic potential for poultry of all classes.

CALVES, LAMBS & KIDS

• Durazyme Paste for Calves is designed for use in newborn beef and dairy calves and cattle to supplement the cow’s colostrum or drug therapy. It contains a lactic acid-producing bacteria, dried milk protein, lactase enzymes and dried egg solids to fight disease, minimize intestinal infections and enhance appetite and digestion.
• Lamb and Kid Paste is a source of live natural microorganisms used to minimize intestinal disorders and enhance the digestion of food.