The effect of live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as probiotic supply on growth performance, feed intake, ruminal pH and fermentation in fattening calves

Background: Live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used for a long time in ruminant feed as a probiotic supply on the intensifying system to avoid acidosis. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of addition of live yeast S. cerevisiae in calf feed on growth, rumen pH and in vitro digestibility. Methods: Sixteen Holstein calves were divided into two homogeneous groups corresponding to body weight. The ration comprises wheat straw 5 kg dry matter (DM)/calf/day and 8 kg DM/calf/day concentrate for the control group C and for the group LY. Each calf of the live yeast group LY gets more than C group, 28 g/calf/day of live yeast S. cerevisiae powder on the concentrate. Results: This supplementation improves significantly (p < 0.003) the mean daily gain during the trial (ADG) with 400 g/calf. A notable increase (p < 0.004) was seen in final body weight gain (FWG) with 39.1 kg/calf. The live yeast supplementation decreases the feed intake and significantly (p < 0.05) the feed conversion rate (FCR) average. The live yeast S. cerevisiae as probiotic supply in ruminant feed improves the growth performance and feed efficiency in fattening calves. Conclusions: In conclusion, we mentioned that live yeast supply induces a considerable advance in growth performance for calves.

Automated summary

The study showed that adding live yeast S. cerevisiae in calf feed significantly improved the average daily gain and final body weight gain, while reducing feed intake and feed conversion rate. This indicates that live yeast supplementation can enhance growth performance and feed efficiency in fattening calves.