YOUNG ANIMAL FEED ▶▶▶
Live yeast can help manage early rumen development
More than 20% of the variation in milk yield at first lactation can be directly associated with calf growth performance in the first weeks of life. Studies confirm the benefits of live yeast supplementation, showing higer levels of starter intake, an improved growth rate and greater homogeneity.
BY MARINE GAUTHIER, RUMINANT TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT LALLEMAND
Y
1.00 1.20
0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80
0.00
*+43% of standard deviation of ADG;<0.05 Control
30 LEVUCELL SC +43% of homogeneity*
oung ruminants are very sensitive to challenges. Their development in the first months of life helps determine their future performance and health. Poor growing and weaning management could re-
sult in impaired rumen development, reduced feed intake and, therefore, slower growth. Studies have shown that for every increase of 100g/day in average daily gain (ADG) in ear- ly life (between 10 and 65 days), there is an increase of 225 kg of milk in the first 300 days in milk. In addition, heifers that
grow the best reach calving age earlier and deliver better milk yields. This supports the profitability of investing in early life feeding management − or “nurture” − over “nature” (breeding and genetic progress).
- The target goals to achieve early life dairy calf performance would be a doubling of calf birth weight within 60 days. - Calves starter intake is an important indicator. Target for ear- ly weaned calves (~6 weeks) is 0.9 – 1.4 kg of starter grain per head per day for three consecutive days before weaning.
Live yeast benefits calves In order to guarantee optimal health and performance in the future dairy cow, it is paramount to ensure optimal rumen maturation and support a well-prepared digestive system. Probiotic yeasts, which have the ability to interact with ru- men micro-organisms − also described as ‘rumen modifiers’ − can enhance rumen function and microflora establish- ment. The specific live yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (Levucell SC) has been selected from thou- sands of different strains by INRA scientists (France) for its high ability to improve rumen function. In calves, various tri- als have confirmed its benefits for feeding and growth per- formance when supplemented to solid calves’ feed both pre and post-weaning.
Starter feed intake can be a limiting factor for optimal growth. Multiple trials conducted with various feeding sys- tems consistently indicate the positive effect of S. cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 supplementation on starter feed intake: +20% pre-weaning; +8% post-weaning. In the same trials, higher starter intake is translated into improved growth perfor- mance: between 30 and 200 g of extra daily weight gain were recorded, which is equivalent to an average increase of 120 g/ day, or 10%. Also the calves fed Levucell SC gained more uni- formly as a group, when compared to controls (Figure 1). As a result of improved growth rate, weaning weight can be at- tained earlier (Figure 2). Improved growth using S. cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 is translated into a 4:1 ROI if you consider the
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 28, No. 9, 2020
ADG (post-weaning)
PHOTO: LALLEMAND
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