Heat tolerant probiotic improves gut health in livestock
A breakthrough in livestock nutrition has emerged with the release of ARGIS, a new Bacillus-strain probiotic developed by researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. The probiotic is designed as a direct-fed additive for both poultry and swine.
Unlike common probiotics from Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species, ARGIS is able to survive high temperatures and lower pH environments inside the digestive tract. This makes it highly suitable for large-scale poultry and swine production, where conditions often challenge probiotic survival.
The strain behind ARGIS was first isolated by researcher Kyle Teague during his time at the University of Arkansas. Teague worked under the guidance of poultry science experts Billy Hargis and Samuel Rochell. Today, Teague is director of Poultry Nutrition at Life Products, Inc., one of the partners in the commercialization of ARGIS alongside KENT Nutrition Group.
“We’re proud to partner with Life Products, Inc., a family-owned company that shares KENT’s core values,” said Kale Causemaker, senior director of Innovative Solutions at KENT Nutrition Group. “We’re especially excited to collaborate with Kyle Teague, one of the lead researchers behind ARGIS™. This is an exciting nutritional technology because it helps animals utilize indigestible carbohydrates found in soybean meal — the primary protein source in poultry diets.”
The probiotic also maintains stability during feed processing and remains effective in the harsh environment of the gut, ensuring consistent results in animal performance. Early studies have shown improved gut health and more efficient weight gain in poultry flocks.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see a research project I contributed to making a real-world impact,” said Teague. “ARGIS™ is another innovative probiotic that can help improve gut health and feed efficiency — with the potential for significant feed cost savings.”
The development also highlights the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s growing portfolio of patented technologies. In 2024 alone, the division reported 28 invention disclosures and eight U.S. patents. Officials believe ARGIS will expand into the market and deliver benefits to both animals and producers nationwide.
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