Levucell® SC (https://www.nutritech.co.nz/product/levucell-sc-10-titan/) has over 100 peer-reviewed scientific applications demonstrating its mode of action in improving rumen function, feed digestibility and milk solids per kg of dry matter consumed.
One peer review study1 of multiple trials conducted globally showed that feeding the equivalent of 1g/cow/day of Levucell® SC 10 live yeast significantly improved 3.5% fat corrected milk production (35.5 vs. 34.6kg/d for Levucell® SC live yeast and control) (P<0.0001) with the effect being greater for cows in the first 100 days of lactation (36.1 vs. 34.9kg) (P<0.01) but still highly significant for cows in mid/late lactation (33.8 vs. 32.8kg) (P<0.005).
In summary, an increase in milk production of approximately 2-3% from feeding just 1g of Levucell® SC live yeast!
There was no overall effect of Levucell® SC live yeast on dry matter (DM) intake (20.29 vs 20.35kgDM/d; P>0.10). Both milk fat yield (1.28 vs. 1.25kg/d; P<0.01) and milk true protein yield (1.02 vs. 1.00kg/d; P<0.0001) increased with Levucell® SC live yeast.
Since total milk production solids (fat plus protein) was increased (2.3kg/d vs 2.25kg/d ~ or 2.2% increase) and dry matter intake remained the same, then feed efficiency (kg DM per kg of milk solids was improved with Levucell® SC live yeast versus the control (8.82 vs. 9.04) or approximately 2.5% improvement in feed efficiency)
An improvement of 2.2% in milk solid production at the same feed intake would, by calculation, decrease the greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e/kg MS) for this farm as there is no change in feed intake but and increase in milk solids.
A frequently asked question is how do we pay for this in pasture type conditions or how do we know it’s working?
A commercial trial done in Ireland in 2019 (grass + 6kg concentrate) showed these positive effects on pasture based diets when using Levucell® SC rumen specific live yeast. With the rapid use of cow wearable technologies in NZ, many of these performance benefits have and could be observed.
| % of cows with good | Control | LEVUCELL® SC |
|---|---|---|
| Rumination | 29% | 68% |
| Body condition | 86% | 96% |
| Rumen fill | 83% | 97% |
| Cleanliness | 47% | 81% |
| Locomotion | 87% | 90% |
| Manure consistency | 62% | 100% |
| Milk performance during the trial | Control | LEVUCELL® SC |
|---|---|---|
| Milk production (kg/cow/d) | 28.70 | 29.22 (+0.52) |
| Milk protein (%) | 3.39 | 3.43 |
| Milk fat (%) | 3.97 | 4.14 |
| 4% Fat corrected milk (kg/hd/d) | 27.70 | 28.84 (+1.14) |
| Kg MS (calculated at 8.5% milk solids) | 2.440 | 2.484 (+0.044) |
In rumen challenged conditions like sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) or heat stress, trials would suggest that these milk production responses can be up to 6%!
What’s in in for the Farmer?
Feeding only 1g/cow/day of Levucell® SC 10 improves milk solid production by 0.044kgMS per cow per day or nearly 2%!
On a milk payout of $8.00/kg MS this equates to an extra revenue (importantly with no increase in dry matter intake!) of $0.352 per /cow/day
The Farmer price for Levucell® SC would cost $0.084 per cow per day
So by spending 8.4c/cow/day we generate an extra milk solid income of 35.2c/cow/day generating a Return On Investment (ROI) of >4:1
On a 500 cow farm, this equates to a profit of $40,000 on a 305 day lactation, while at the same time improving CO2e/kg MS for our end-user customers.
Speak to your Nutritech local Area Manager (https://www.nutritech.co.nz/contact/) today for more information on how to improve your cow feed nutrition feed efficiency
- Multiple-study analysis of the effect of live yeast on milk yield, milk component content and yield, and feed efficiency. Ondarza M.B., C.J. Sniffen, L. Dussert, E. Chevaux, J. Sullivan, N.D. Walker(26)*, 2010, Professional Animal Scientist 26: 661-666
