Effect of yeast culture feed supply on growth, ruminal pH, and digestibility of fattening calves

This study was carried out to predict the effects of yeast culture on growth, intake, and digestibility in vitro of calves for fattening. The trial involved 16 fattening calves divided into two homogeneous groups (n = 8), based on the initial body weight (414 +/- 25.1 kg and 416 +/- 24.4 kg) (p = .96) for the control group (C) and the experimental group (Y). The ration is wheat straw and concentrate. Group Y additionally receives a quantity of 10 g/calf/day of yeast culture. The quantity of feed was 5 kg DM/calf/day of wheat straw and 8kg DM/calf/day of concentrate. This trial lasted 112 days. We measure the weights every two weeks with a cattle scale and also the rejected quantities of wheat straw at each measure. A significant increase (p < .01) in total average daily gain (adgT) during the trial was observed at 200g/calf. In addition, an increase (p < .01) in the final weight gain (FWG) was observed at 19 kg/calf for group Y compared with group C. Intake does not vary with the yeast culture. The feed conversion rate (FCR) was lower for group Y compared with group C (7.8 +/- 0.2 versus 9.6 +/- 0.5, p < .01). We observed a notable increase in ruminal pH for group Y compared with group C.

Automated summary

This study aimed to predict the effects of yeast culture on the growth, intake, and in vitro digestibility of fattening calves. Results showed that yeast culture can significantly increase the average daily gain and final weight gain of calves, while reducing the feed conversion rate. Intake was not affected by yeast culture, but there was a notable increase in ruminal pH compared to the control group.