Live Yeast For Cattle Feeding

1. Specification

In general, the positive effects of live yeast are based on its probiotic action. As a digestive aid, it displaces unwanted microorganisms and stabilises a natural balance in the intestine or rumen. The use of live yeast in cattle feeding has been shown to have positive effects on rumen metabolism (Figure 1). These effects lead to healthier and more productive animals in the long term 

In general, live yeasts in dairy cattle feed provide optimal conditions for the rumen microbes. The activity and growth of desired bacteria is positively influenced by the utilisation of residual oxygen as well as by the availability of micronutrients.

• These bacteria include the lactate-utilising bacteria. These keep the concentration of lactate in the rumen as low as possible and thus stabilise the pH value of the rumen. As a result, the risk of rumen acidosis decreases.
  
• The cellulolytic bacteria are also promoted. These are responsible for an effective crude fibre degradation. This results in the following: increased utilisation of crude fibre leads to an improved feed conversion due to a growth in volatile fatty acids, while simultaneously stimulating feed intake.
  
  
• Reproduction of both groups of bacteria increases ammonia utilisation and promotes a bacterial protein synthesis. It can therefore be assumed that more microbial protein reaches the small intestine and is available to the animal for utilisation.

What should be taken into account during use?

Live yeasts do not settle permanently in the animal’s digestive tract. With a single dose, the yeast cells live for about 30 hours in the rumen without multiplying. It is therefore important to supply live yeast to the animal daily with the feed. As a rule, live yeast cultures are already mixed into mineral, concentrated, supplementary or special feed and do not have to be specifically added to the ration.

It should also be taken into account that the rumen microbes need 2-3 weeks to adapt. This corresponds to the normal adaptation phase of a ration change. After this time, the positive effects of live yeast are usually visible.