Assessing the impact of biotics on the ruminal microbiome to enhance sustainability, welfare, and performance in beef cattle: highlighting the omics approach

Enhancing the development of the microbiome is a key strategy for modulating ruminal fermentation and improving production efficiency in ruminants. The inclusion of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics (biotics) in animals’ feeds has become a common method to reach these goals. The proven benefits of these additives in human health have helped their increased application in livestock to enhance overall health and reduce reliance on medications, particularly antibiotics. Recent scientific research has focused on elucidating the mechanisms of how these additives impact ruminants’ performance and health. Advances in Next Generation Sequencing and the decrease in associated costs have made -omics technologies more accessible. These technologies provide valuable insights into how dietary biotics influence gastrointestinal microbiota and their effects on ruminant performance and health. This review highlights recent advancements in the application of biotics in beef production, and assesses their impact on modifying the ruminal environment, fermentation, and microbiota, along with their implications for cattle health and productivity.