“The microbiome is a collection of different microorganisms that we find in the intestinal tract of animals, and we know these microorganisms are essential to immune development,” says Christopher Chase, DVM. “Understanding how they interact with the gut, and particularly the epithelium of the gut, is really important.”
In the last decade, research has shown the epithelial cells of the gut and respiratory tract act as an immunity organ. This understanding has producers and veterinarians looking more closely at cattle in all stages of development to discover new tools for managing health, stability and growth.
Diversity in microbial populations, and the specific strains present or absent, can influence cattle health and overall performance.
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, May/June 2019. Link. This edition contains three articles related to the microbiome and gut health we reference below:
- Win the microbial war. Link.
- Health gut, healthy calf, productive future. Link.
- Prime the pump. Link.
INSIGHTS: It is important to stay current on production practices, their impact on the microbiome and the opportunities to influence the flora and fauna populations in the gut. Share this information with cattle veterinary teams and with cattle producers.