Effect of yeast supplementation on health, performance and rumen fermentation in beef bulls.
The effect of 0, 6 or 60 g yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) daily on health and performance was investigated in 90 double-muscled and 48 non-double-muscled Belgian White-blue bulls during 60 and 51 days, respectively, upon arrival at the experimental farm. The yeast was incorporated in the concentrate, which was fed at 2 kg d-1 during the first ten days and at 2.5 kg d-1 afterwards. Besides, maize silage was fed up to 8 kg d-1, while grass hay was offered ad libitum. Feed intake, growth rate and number of sick animals were not affected by the yeast addition. Morbid animals required a similar number of days with antibiotic therapy for each yeast level within each beef strain. Rumen samples taken from 6 non-double-muscled bulls in the last but one week showed a decreased concentration of volatile fatty acids when 6 g yeast was fed daily. Except butyric acid concentration, rumen fermentation parameters were not altered. Yeast supplementation during an adaptation period after purchase did not affect health status and growth performance.
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National Institute for Animal Nutrition, Agricultural Research Centre-Ghent, Melle-Gontrode, Belgium.
Cottyn
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Boucqué
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CV
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005285:Fermentation; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006304:Health Status; D008297:Male; D012417:Rumen / Q000502:physiology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae; D013997:Time Factors