The name Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a common yeast used in fermentation processes to make bread, beer, wine and ethanol. Lallemand, a world leader in the science of yeast and bacteria, has selected specific strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that are used globally in the manufacturing of these products. Since the early 1990’s Lallemand Animal Nutrition division has, with the aid of Lallemand’s strong position in microbial selection and screening, selected and manufactured a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CNCM I-1077) for its ability to aid in fibre digestion in the rumen of a cow and improve feed efficiency. This product is manufactured by Lallemand and sold globally as LEVUCELL® SC.
Over the last 30 years, over 100 published papers have shown the ability of LEVUCELL® SC to improve fibre digestion, improve feed digestibility and rumen health. The positive effect of LEVUCELL® SC on fibre degradability (NDF) has been extensively studied with more than 200 different forages examined. LEVUCELL® SC supplementation has been shown to promote substrate colonisation by cellulolytic bacteria (such as R. flavefaciens, for example) and fungi, suggesting a particularly marked impact on the microbial breakdown of lignin-polysaccharides linkages (Chaucheyras-Durand, et al., 2012). Improving fibre digestibility improves feed efficiency and improves the sustainability of the milk production system in CO2e/kg MS.
Fibre colonisation by bacteria and fungi on forage can be stimulated by the live yeast
NDFd can be improved between 2.6 to 7.9 units in a range of pasture, grass hay, or grass silages samples.
LEVUCELL has proven especially beneficial for improving fibre digestibility on lush spring grass, as shown below in Figure 2 where the response in NDFd is significant at all stages of grazing, but especially during spring.
Figure 2 – Sousa D.O., University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2018, Anim Feed Sci Technol 236: 149- 168
While there have been many trials, a more recent pasture-based trial in France, (INRAE Marcenat, France, 2020) has confirmed how the addition of Levucell® SC to the diet increases milk yield and improves body condition score.
| Control | Levucell® SC | Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk Solids (kgMS/cow) | 1.28 | 1.33 | 0.05 |
| Revenue at $8.00/kgMS ($/cow) | $10.24 | $10.64 | $0.40 |
| Levucell® SC cost | - | $0.085 | -$0.085 |
| Margin over Levucell® SC cost | $10.24 | $10.56 | -$0.32 |
In NZ terms, this is a positive return on investment of nearly 4:1. Responses in other pasture-based trials, such as one at Brookmount Farm, Ireland have been as high as 15:1.
Speak to your Nutritech local Area Manager today for more information on how to improve your cow’s rumen function, feed efficiency and greenhouse gas sustainability.
