Arkansas researchers and industry partners unveil heat-stable Bacillus-strain probiotic to improve digestion and feed efficiency
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.: A breakthrough in animal nutrition research has led to the commercial launch of ARGIS™, a next-generation direct-fed probiotic for poultry and swine. The innovation was developed by scientists at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in collaboration with KENT Nutrition Group and Life Products, Inc. of Norfolk, Nebraska.
ARGIS™ is based on a unique Bacillus strain isolated and characterized by former University of Arkansas postdoctoral researcher Kyle Teague, with co-advisers Dr. Billy Hargis, Distinguished Professor of poultry science, and Dr. Samuel Rochell, formerly with the Division of Agriculture. Additional inventors include Lucas Graham, former poultry science associate, and Dr. Juan Latorre, research scientist with the experiment station.
Unlike common probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, Bacillus-based probiotics can survive the higher temperatures and low-pH conditions of the gastrointestinal tract — making them ideal for commercial poultry and swine operations.
“ARGIS™ helps animals utilize indigestible carbohydrates in soybean meal, the main protein source in poultry diets,” said Kale Causemaker, Senior Director of Innovative Solutions at KENT Nutrition Group. “This technology not only improves gut health and weight-gain efficiency but may also reduce the need for multiple genetically modified enzymes, resulting in cost savings for producers.”
Teague, who now serves as Director of Poultry Nutrition at Life Products, Inc., expressed pride in seeing years of research come to fruition.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see a project I worked on make a real-world impact,” Teague said. “ARGIS™ offers an innovative way to enhance feed efficiency and gut health in a sustainable way.”
The probiotic is registered under U.S. Patent No. 12,377,122 and represents part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s growing portfolio of commercialized technologies. In 2024 alone, the Division disclosed 28 inventions and received eight U.S. patents.
“This strategic partnership with KENT and Life Products will help ARGIS™ reach more producers and benefit animal health across the industry,” said Parker Cole, Associate Director of Technology Commercialization.
ARGIS™ is now commercially available for inclusion in poultry and swine feed, offering producers a scientifically validated, heat-tolerant solution to improve production efficiency and overall animal well-being.
