New direct-fed probiotic for poultry, swine commercially released
Aug. 28, 2025
By the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
Fast facts
- ARGIS™ survives high temps, lower pH environments
- Bacillus strain isolated by Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers
- Co-developed with KENT Nutrition and Life Products, Inc.
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(Newsrooms: ‘KENT’ in all upper case is cq)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new probiotic discovered by poultry science researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station recently became commercially available through co-development with KENT Nutrition Group and a partnership with Life Products, Inc. of Norfolk, Nebraska.
ARGIS™, a new Bacillus-strain probiotic developed as an additive in both poultry and swine feed, has been shown to improve gut health and weight-gain efficiency.
The Bacillus strain behind ARGIS™ was isolated and characterized by former University of Arkansas postdoctoral researcher Kyle Teague, under the co-advisement of Billy Hargis, Distinguished Professor of poultry science with the experiment station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, and Samuel Rochell, formerly with the Division of Agriculture.
Advantages of a Bacillus-strain probiotic, compared to common probiotic microorganisms of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, include its ability to survive the higher temperatures and lower pH environments found in the intestinal tract.
“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.”
One of the major advantages of ARGIS™ is its ability to support digestion of these carbohydrates through enzyme production in the gastrointestinal tract, Causemaker explained. This capability may eliminate the need for multiple enzymes produced from genetically modified fermentation organisms. The probiotic is also heat-tolerant and viable in low-pH environments, making it well-suited for commercial poultry operations.
Teague now serves as director of Poultry Nutrition at Life Products, Inc., while Rochell is an associate professor of poultry nutrition at Auburn University. Hargis is director of the John Kirkpatrick Skeels Poultry Health Laboratory for the experiment station.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see a research project I contributed to making a real-world impact,” Teague said. “ARGIS™ is another innovative probiotic that can help improve gut health and feed efficiency — with the potential for significant feed cost savings.”
Lisa Childs, assistant vice president of technology commercialization and patent attorney for the Division of Agriculture’s Technology Commercialization Office, said the product that KENT Nutrition Group is commercializing is just part of UADA’s large portfolio of inventions. In 2024, UADA had 28 invention disclosures and eight U.S. patents issued.
“We continue to be proud to have KENT as our commercialization partner for this technology. This strategic partnership between KENT and Life Products is an exciting opportunity for ARGIS™ to expand further into the marketplace and benefit both animals and producers,” said Parker Cole, associate director of technology commercialization with the Technology Commercialization Office.
Mention of brand or trade names does not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
About the Technology Commercialization Office
The Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) commercializes world-class research to support a lasting knowledge-based economy to benefit Arkansas and the world. We help faculty and research scientists identify, protect, and commercialize intellectual property developed from their research or other university-supported activities. To contact the TCO, please email agritco@uada.edu.
About KENT WORLDWIDE™
Since 1927, KENT WORLDWIDE™ has been guided by a deep commitment to animal care, human nutrition, and doing what’s right — values that have shaped its evolution into a globally diversified company. Today, KENT WORLDWIDE™ is a recognized leader in the manufacture and marketing of ag-based specialty ingredients and trusted consumer products.
About Life Products, Inc.
Life Products, Inc., a division of Vit-E-Min Company, is a Nebraska-based agricultural company that has manufactured animal probiotics, forage inoculants, and livestock health products since 1971. We serve livestock backgrounders, cattle feed yards, cow/calf operations, dairies, equine, swine, poultry, small ruminants, companion animals, and aquaculture industries with quality, innovative solutions.
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Media Contact: John Lovett
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 763-5929
jlovett@uada.edu