Are Your Cows Struggling with Flush Spring Grass?
Written by Louise Salter, BSc (Hons) Agriculture, Animal Science.
Levucell SC has been proven time and time again to enhance the digestion of lush spring grass, which can be harder for cows to break down. Studies¹ show substantial improvements in fibre digestion throughout the grazing season, with particularly strong results in spring. The yeast supports beneficial microbes in breaking down complex fibres, improving overall digestion and feed efficiency. As a bonus, this enhanced digestion contributes to more sustainable milk production, reducing CO2 emissions per kilogram of milk solids.
In a recent trial in France (INRAE Marcenat, 2020), adding Levucell SC to the cows’ diet led to an increase in milk yield and improved body condition. This is backed by real-world results from NZ farmers like Francois and Shelly Tillard of Oamaru.
“Since investing in Levucell SC, we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in our cows’ health and milk production. We used to get “twisted guts” in some of our high-producing cows, but since adding Levucell SC to their feed, this issue has disappeared. We have also observed fewer digestive problems like subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), and milk yield has noticeably increased. Levucell SC has become an essential part of our farm management.” Francois and Shelly Tillard, Oamaru.
By optimising rumen function, Levucell® SC yeast supplements supports healthy cows, higher milk yields and contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly milk production.
How Levucell SC Live Yeast Works for Your Cows: The live yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae I-1077, found in Levucell SC, has been thoroughly researched for its benefits to livestock, but simply put, it helps maintain a stable rumen environment, optimises rumen pH, and enhances fibre digestion in several key ways:
- Competing with harmful bacteria: Levucell SC competes with lactate-producing bacteria, like Streptococcus bovis, for nutrients in the rumen. This helps reduce the acid load that can disrupt rumen function and cause health problems.
- Feeding the good bacteria: Levucell SC acts as a nutrient source for lactate-consuming microbes, such as Megasphaera elsdenii and Selenomonas ruminantium, which further reduce the rumen’s acidity and help keep it healthy.
- Creating a favourable environment: By consuming leftover oxygen in the rumen, Levucell SC encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, protozoa, and fungi that thrive in anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions, which are ideal for rumen health.
- Boosting fibre digestion: Levucell SC stimulates the growth of fibre-digesting microbes like cellulolytic bacteria and fungi, improving fibre digestion and providing a key protein source for milk production. This ensures cows get the most out of their feed, especially during challenging periods like early lactation.
Financial Impact: Investing in Levucell SC delivers strong economic returns. In New Zealand, the return on investment (ROI) is close to 5:12, with some on-farm trials showing returns as high as 15:13.
Levucell® SC offers dairy farmers a proven, cost-effective solution for improving cow health, feed efficiency, and milk production. By optimising rumen function, this live yeast supplement supports higher milk yields and contributes to more sustainable and environmentally friendly milk production.
To learn more about how Levucell SC can benefit your herd, don’t hesitate to contact your local Nutritech Area Manager https://www.nutritech.co.nz/contact/
¹Guedes et al., CECAV Portugal, 2008, Anim Feed Sci Technol. 145:27-40, Guedes et al., CECAV Portugal, 2010. Proceeding from Wageningen Symposium, Netherlands pp 25-30, Gomez M.J. et al, CECAV Portugal, Congresso de Zootechnica 2015. Chaucheyras-Durand F. et al., INRA France, 2010, J Dairy ScJ. Anim. Sci. 88(S2)/J. Dairy Sci. 93(S1):145, Walker and Cintora, BRI, Canada 2010, Ding G. et al, China Agricultural University, China, 2014, J. Anim. Sci. and Biotech. 5:24, Souza D.O. Lallemand Internal report, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2015, Souza D.O., University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2018, Anim Feed Sci Technol. 236:149-158
² University of Weihenstephan, Germany, 2002 Veterinary College of Alger, Algeria, 2009. IRTA, Spain, 2012 & 2019
³ Brookmount Farm, Ireland.
