Ross Wolfenden

Innovative and results-driven leader in animal health and nutrition with over 20 years of experience spanning R&D, product development, technical service and global commercialization. Proven expertise in probiotic innovation, microbial fermentation, and in vivo challenge models. Adept at bridging science and business, leading cross-functional teams, and driving strategic growth across international markets. Recognized for scientific contributions, patent authorship, and industry influence.

• Poultry Science Association, 2007-Present
• American Society of Animal Science, 2021-present

• US9005601: Methods and compositions including spore-forming bacteria for increasing the health of animals
• US9393275: Probiotic for amelioration of coccidiosis vaccine reaction
• US11395479: Method to Reduce Microbial Bloom in Poultry Hatchery
• US10959447: Compositions to Promote Digestion and Improve Nutrition in Poultry
• US20190075821: Composition to Reduce Bacterial Infection in Poultry
• US20190029230: Method to Reduce Microbial Bloom in Poultry Hatchery
• US20180206525: Compositions to Promote Digestion

• Early Achievement Award, Poultry Science Association, 2013
• Distinguished Doctoral Academy Fellow, University of Arkansas, 2007-2010
• Outstanding Poultry Science Undergraduate Male, 2003
• Chancellor’s Scholarship, University of Arkansas, 1999-2003
• Chancellor’s List, University of Arkansas, 2002, 2003
• Dean’s List, University of Arkansas, 2000, 2001

• Peer Reviewer, Poultry Science Association, 2011-Present
• Committee Member, Poultry Science Association Committee on Animal Health, 2022-present

KD Teague, LE Graham, JR Dunn, HH Cheng, N Anthony, JD Latorre, A Menconi, RE Wolfenden, AD Wolfenden, BD Mahaffey, M Baxter, X Hernandez-Velasco, R Merino-Guzman, LR Bielke, BM Hargis, G Tellez, In ovo evaluation of FloraMax-B11 on Marek's disease HVT vaccine protective efficacy, hatchability, microbiota composition, morphometric analysis, and Salmonella enteritidis infection in broiler chickens, 2017, Poultry Science, 96, 2071-2082, JD Latorre, X Hernandez-Velasco, JL Vicente, R Wolfenden, BM Hargis, G Tellez, Effects of the inclusion of a Bacillus direct-fed microbial on performance parameters, bone quality, recovered gut microflora, and intestinal morphology in broilers consuming a grower diet containing corn distillers dried grains with solubles, 2017, Poultry Science, 96, 2728-2735, JD Latorre, X Hernandez-Velasco, RE Wolfenden, JL Vicente, AD Wolfenden, A Menconi, LR Bielke, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, Evaluation and selection of Bacillus species Based on enzyme Production, antimicrobial activity, and Biofilm synthesis as Direct-Fed Microbial candidates for Poultry, 2016, Frontiers in Veterinary Research, 3, 95, JD Latorre, X Hernandez-Velasco, LR Bielke, JL Vicente, R Wolfenden, A Menconi, BM Hargis, G Tellez, Evaluation of a Bacillus direct-fed microbial candidate on digesta viscosity, bacterial translocation, microbiota composition and bone mineralisation in broiler chickens fed on a rye-based diet, 2015, British Poultry Science, 56, 6, 723-732, JD Latorre, X Hernandez-Velasco, VA Kuttappan, RE Wolfenden, JL Vicente, AD Wolfenden, LR Bielke, OF Prado-Rebolledo, E Morales, BM Hargis, Guillermo Tellez, Selection of Bacillus spp. for cellulase and xylanase production as direct-fed microbials to reduce digesta viscosity and Clostridium perfringens proliferation using an in vitro digestive model in different poultry diets, 2015, Frontiers in Veterinary Research, 2, 25, JD Latorre, X Hernandez-Velasco, MH Kogut, JL Vicente, RE Wolfenden, AD Wolfenden, BM Hargis, VA Kuttappan and GI Tellez, Role of a Bacillus subtilis direct-fed microbial on digesta viscosity, bacterial translocation, and bone mineralization in turkey poults fed with a rye-based diet, 2014, Frontiers in Veterinary Research, 1, 26, 1-5, SL Layton, X Hernandez-Velasco, S Chaitanya, J Xavier, A Menconi, JD Latorre, G Kallapura, VA Kuttappan, RE Wolfenden, RL Andreatti Filho, BM Hargis, GI Téllez, The effect of a Lactobacillus-based probiotic for the control of necrotic enteritis in broilers, 2013, Food Research International, 45, 2, 628-633, G Tellez, C Pixley, RE Wolfenden, SL Layton, BM Hargis, Probiotics/direct fed microbials for Salmonella control in poultry, 2012, Food Research International, 45, 628-633, RE Wolfenden, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, S Shivaramaiah, AD Wolfenden, CM Pixley, J Green, G Tellez, BM Hargis, Evaluation of selected direct-fed microbial candidates on live performance and Salmonella reduction in commercial turkey brooding houses, 2011, Poultry Science, 90, 2627-2631, S Shivaramaiah, RE Wolfenden, JR Barta, MJ Morgan, AD Wolfenden, BM Hargis, G Tellez, The role of early Salmonella Typhimurium infection as a predisposing factor for necrotic enteritis in a laboratory challenge model, 2011, Avian Diseases, 55, 319-323, S Shivaramaiah, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, AD Wolfenden, RE Wolfenden, A Torres-Rodriguez, BM Hargis, and G Tellez, Evaluation of Bacillus species as potential candidates for direct-fed microbials in commercial poultry, 2011, Poultry Science, 90, 1574-1580, RE Wolfenden, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, S Shivaramaiah, AD Wolfenden, G Tellez, BM Hargis, Evaluation of a screening and selection method for Bacillus isolates for use as effective direct-fed microbials in commercial poultry, 2010, International Journal of Poultry Science, 9, 4, 317-323, W Bottje, A Wolfenden, L Ding, R Wolfenden, M Morgan, N Pumford, K Lassiter, G Duncan, T Smith, T Slagle, and B Hargis, Improved hatchability and posthatch performance in turkey poults receiving a dextrin-iodinated casein solution in ovo, 2010, Poultry Science, 89, 2646-2650, RE Wolfenden, SL Layton, AD Wolfenden, A Khatiwara, G Gaona-Ramirez, NR Pumford, K Cole, YM Kwon, G Tellez, LR Bergman, BM Hargis, Development and evaluation of candidate recombinant Salmonella-vectored Salmonella vaccines, 2010, Poultry Science, 89, 2370-2379, Jacob Lum, Jose Luis, Matthew Faulkner, and Ross Wolfenden, Gelling agent reduces chilling in commercial poultry during spray application of biologics, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 01/26/15, Jose Luis Vicente, Jacob Lum, Matthew Faulkner, Ross Wolfenden, Evaluation of a novel biologic formulation to reduce Salmonella in market age broilers, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 01/26/15, Matthew Faulkner, Jacob Lum, Jose L. Vicente, and Ross Wolfenden, Minimizing reduction in average daily gain in broiler chicks following the use of anticoccidial vaccines through concomitant treatment with a lactic acid bacteria-based probiotic, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 01/26/15, Ross Wolfenden, Matthew Faulkner, Anita Menconi, James Barton, Jacob Lum, and Jose Luis Vicente, Application of a specifically selected probiotic at the hatchery improves seven day weight gain as well as mortality in commercial broiler chicks, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 01/26/15, Latorre, J.D., J.L. Vicente, X. Hernandez-Velasco, R. Wolfenden, B. M. Hargis and G. Tellez, Inclusion of Bacillus direct-fed microbials in a broiler diet containing corn-DDGS: Effect on performance parameters, microbiota population and bone quality, International Poultry Scientific Forum in conjunction with the International Poultry Expo, Atlanta, Georgia, 2015, Tellez, G., J. D. Latorre, X. Hernandez-Velazco, J.L. Vicente, R. Wolfenden and B.M. Hargis, Role of a candidate Bacillus subtilis direct-fed microbial on digesta viscosity, bacterial translocation and bone mineralization in neonatal poults fed with a rye-based diet, International Poultry Scientific Forum in conjunction with the International Poultry Expo, Atlanta, Georgia, 2015, Matthew Faulkner, Jacob Lum, Jose L. Vicente, and Ross Wolfenden, Evaluation of a novel probiotic formulation selected to improve body weight gain in chicks following vaccination with commercially available coccidiosis vaccines, Symposium on gut health in production of food animals, St. Louis, Missouri, 2014, Latorre, J. D., R. Wolfenden, V. A. Kuttappan, M. H. Kogut, A. Wolfenden, X. Hernandez-Velasco, L. R. Bielke, B. M. Hargis and G. Tellez, The role of a selected Bacillus subtilis direct-fed microbial candidate on performance, intestinal viscosity, bacterial translocation and bone mineralization in broiler chickens consuming high NSP diets, Symposium on gut health in production of food animals, St. Louis, Missouri, 2014, Latorre, J. D., J.L. Vicente, V. A. Kuttappan, A. Wolfenden, O. Faulkner, R. Wolfenden, R. Galarza, E. Vicuña, X. Hernandez-Velasco, L. R. Bielke1, B. M. Hargis and G. Tellez, Reduction of intestinal viscosity, liver bacterial translocation and rachitogenic effect of a rye-based diet in neonatal chickens consuming a Bacillus-based Direct-fed microbial, ENGIHR Conference: The gut microbiota throughout life, Karlsruhe, Germany, 2014, Latorre, J. D., J. L. Vicente, V. A. Kuttappan, A. Wolfenden, O. Faulkner, R. Wolfenden, R. Galarza, E. Vicuña, X. Hernandez-Velasco, L. R. Bielke, B. M. Hargis and G. Tellez, Effect of a selected Bacillus subtilis Direct-Fed Microbial on viscosity, bacterial translocation, and bone mineralization in neonatal turkey poults fed with a rye-based diet, Arkansas Nutrition Conference, Rogers, Arkansas, 2014, Tellez. G., J. D. Latorre, R. E. Wolfenden, J. L. Vicente, A. Menconi, A. D. Wolfenden, L. R. Bielke, O. B. Faulkner, and B. M. Hargis, Screening of bacteriocins like compounds synthesis from Bacillus sp. and the relation between diet composition, viscosity and proliferation of Clostridium perfringens using an in vitro digestive model, International Poultry Scientific Forum in conjunction with the International Poultry Expo, Atlanta, Georgia, 2014, Jacob Lum, Jose Luis Vicente, Matthew Faulkner, and Ross Wolfenden, Reduction of ammonia volatilization using a Bacillus spore-based direct-fed microbial, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 01/28/14, Jose Luis Vicente, Jacob Lum, Matthew Faulkner, Ross Wolfenden, Effectiveness of a Bacillus based DFM to inhibit pathogenic bacteria in both in vitro and in vivo assays, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 01/28/14, AD Wolfenden, RE Wolfenden, S Shivaramaiah, GI Tellez, BM Hargis, Evaluation of a Bacillus-based DFM on horizontal transmission of Salmonella in broiler chicks, International Poultry Scientific Forum, 2013, Latorre, J. D., A. Menconi, N. R. Pumford, M. J. Morgan, R. E. Wolfenden2, B. M. Hargis and G. Tellez, Evaluation and Selection of Bacillus species for Enzyme Production as Direct-Fed Microbials, 7th International Yakult Symposium, London, England, 2014, Latorre, J. D., A. Menconi, N. R. Pumford, M. J. Morgan, R. E. Wolfenden, A. D. Wolfenden, O. B. Faulkner, L. R. Bielke, B. M. Hargis, and G. Tellez, Screening of Bacillus isolates for Enzyme Production to be used as Direct-Fed Microbials in poultry diets, Arkansas Nutrition Conference, Rogers, Arkansas, 2013, JD Latorre, A Menconi, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, RE Wolfenden, CM Pixley, LR Bielke, O Faulkner, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, Fate and dissemination of Bacillus subtilis spores in a chicken model, International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2013, CM Pixley, RE Wolfenden, NR Pumford, M Morgan, S Shivaramaiah, AD Wolfenden, LR Bielke, GI Tellez, BM Hargis, Effect of Direct Fed Candidate Bacillus Microbials on Salmonella Infection and Production Parameters in Commercial Turkeys, TNO Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2012, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, LR Bielke, RE Wolfenden, AD Wolfenden, OT Faulkner, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, and A. Menconi, Recent Successes in Development of Commercialized Probiotics and Direct Fed Microbials (DFM), IHSIG Poultry Conference, Ghent, Belgium, 2012, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, L Bielke, AD Wolfenden, OB Faulkner, and RE Wolfenden, Emerging Technologies for the Control of Salmonella and Campylobacter During Live Production, Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Invited Symposium Lecture, Athens, GA, 2012, S Shivaramaiah, JR Barta, MJ Morgan, RE Wolfenden, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, The role of an early paratyphoid Salmonella infection in a necrotic enteritis model in broiler chickens, Joint Annual Meeting Poultry Science Association and American Association of Avian Pathologists, St. Louis, MO, 2011, RE Wolfenden, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, S Shivaramaiah, AD Wolfenden, CM Pixley, J Green, G Tellez, BM Hargis, Evaluation of candidate Bacillus probiotics (direct-fed microbials) during commercial turkey brooding, Annual Western Poultry Disease Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2010, S. Shivaramaiah, RE Wolfenden, JR Barta, SL Layton, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, Salmonella as a predisposing factor to Eimeria induced necrotic enteritis: evaluation of selected probiotic interventions, Annual Western Poultry Disease Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 2010, BM Hargis, G Tellez, RE Wolfenden, S Shivaramaiah, AD Wolfenden, SE Higgins, TE Porter, Probiotics: Current limitations and future potential in commercial poultry. Effect of a Lactobacillus probiotic and nitrate in feed on Salmonella colonization in broiler chicks, Joint Annual Meeting (PSA, ASAS, ADSA), Denver, CO, 2010, S Shivaramaiah, JR Barta, SL Layton, MJ Morgan, RE Wolfenden, BM Hargis, GI Tellez, Evaluation of a reproducible model for necrotic enteritis model in broilers and analysis of NetB toxin profiles of different isolates of Clostridium perfringens, Joint Annual Meeting (PSA, ASAS, ADSA), Denver, CO, 2010, RE Wolfenden, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, S Shivaramaiah, AD Wolfenden, G Tellez, BM Hargis, Reduction of Salmonella infection and increase in production parameters by candidate Bacillus direct-fed microbials in commercial turkeys, Arkansas Association of Food Protection Meeting, Springdale, Arkansas, 2010, S Shivaramaiah, NR Pumford, MJ Morgan, RE Wolfenden, AD Wolfenden, GI Tellez, BM Hargis, In vivo evaluation of candidate Bacillus subtilis (NP122) spores for reduction of Salmonella incidence and improved performance in chickens and poults, Arkansas Association of Food Protection Meeting, Springdale, Arkansas, 2010