Alpharma introduces an All-Natural, Synbiotic Poultry Feed Supplement
January 11, 2010
Proflora™ Combines a Patented, Direct Fed Microbial with a Prebiotic to improve Nutrient Utilization.
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (January 11, 2010) - Alpharma Animal Health has begun sales and marketing of its novel new poultry feed additive, Proflora™, which is designed to optimize the gut environment and support favorable microflora populations, improving poultry performance and production. Proflora is a unique poultry feed supplement that combines a direct-fed microbial (DFM) with a prebiotic.
Proflora is comprised of two highly beneficial components:
- A live, direct-fed microbial probiotic – the highly researched and patented QST 713 strain of Bacillus subtilis; and
- A yeast-extract prebiotic called Beta Mos®, which provides nutrition-enhancing ß-mannan oligosaccharides and ß-glucans.
The combination is known as a “synbiotic.”
“It is the synergistic effect of the DFM in combination with the prebiotic that has proven so effective in attaining and maintaining peak conditions in the avian intestinal tract,” says Layne Asay, Director of Strategic Marketing, Alpharma. “Each of the two components provides specific benefits to the gut environment that, together, helps elevate nutrient utilization by poultry, thereby lowering production costs.”
In addition to enhancing nutrient use, Proflora also has been demonstrated to reduce the negative effects of necrotic enteritis challenge (Clostridium perfringens) on performance, mortality and lesion scores.
As a non-drug, non-antibiotic feed supplement, Proflora can serve as an adjunct to existing medicated feed programs, or as a non-antibiotic alternative for operations producing birds for specialized markets. Proflora is compatible with feed-based coccidiosis control programs and coccidiosis vaccines, and be used concurrently with feed antibiotics and water medications. It is stable in pelleted feeds and requires no withdrawal period before slaughter.
“Today’s consumers are demanding a wide range of choices in poultry products,” says Asay. “The use of a synbiotic for poultry represents a new and innovative alternative to help ensure poultry health and nutrition while also responding to consumer preferences. Years of research have made Proflora possible, and we are excited to be bringing it to the market.”
Alpharma Animal Health has a patent pending that covers the combination product and its use with anti-coccidial vaccines and select anti-coccidial premix products. Proflora is initially being sold in 50-pound, multi-wall bags, with a recommended feeding rate of 1.25 to 2 pounds of Proflora per ton of complete feed.
About Alpharma
Alpharma Inc. is a global animal health company with a leadership position in the registration, manufacture, and marketing of a broad range of pharmaceutical and nutritional products for food-producing animals. Alpharma is presently active in more than 80 countries. Alpharma is a wholly owned subsidiary of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE:KG). For more information please visit www.alpharma.com.
Media Contact:
Debbie Thompson, Global Marketing Associate
Alpharma Animal Health
(908) 429-6000 Ext. 58623
debbie.thompson@alpharma.com
Alpharma Inc.
400 Crossing Blvd.
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
# # #
Contacts:
Jack Howarth, Vice President, Investor Relations
908-429-8350
Executive Offices:
King Pharmaceuticals
501 Fifth Street
Bristol, Tennessee 37620
