It is one of the most wonderful organs of cattle: the cow rumen. Bacteria and protozoa make nutrients easier to absorb there and themselves form part of the dietary protein. Live yeasts are a turbo for fermentation in the cow’s rumen. It leads to more milk from the same amount of feed.
For decades, research has been conducted into the functioning of the cow’s rumen. Specific attention is paid to optimizing the functioning of the rumen flora. It is known that a number of types of feed additives stimulate the rumen flora. Think of specific acids, live yeasts and special fatty acids. “But there are only a few components that really positively influence the fermentation process in the cow’s rumen,” says Nico Vreeburg. He is technical support manager ruminants at Lallemand Animal Nutrition. “Most additives are actually food ingredients. One of the additions with the greatest effect are live yeasts, as our own and independent research has shown time and again.”
Rumen-specific yeast strain from Lallemand
Live yeasts work in the cow’s rumen in different ways. An important one is that they capture oxygen, which is positive for the (oxygen-low) fermentation in the cow’s rumen. Furthermore, yeasts stabilize the rumen pH, which helps to prevent rumen acidification. They stimulate the bacteria that break down cell walls and inhibit the lactic acid generators. Vreeburg: “To put it bluntly, they push the microflora in the rumen in the right direction. It’s a turbo for the rumen.”
Where in practice many general live yeasts are used, so the same yeast for cows and pigs, Lallemand has a rumen-specific yeast. This particular yeast strain is called Levucell SC. “This one has been selected from a wide group of yeasts that all do something in the cow rumen. But none other as effective as this one.”
Improving feed efficiency
Relatively little is needed from live yeasts to have an effect. This is in contrast to yeast-based products (derivatives), which are actually nutritional supplements. “One gram per cow per day is already sufficient to have a positive effect in the rumen”, says Vreeburg. On farms with good management, this yields a kilo more milk per day. “From the same amount of feed. The trick is that the feed efficiency improves.”
Abroad, live yeasts are often included as standard in the ration for high-yielding cows. The dose is increased during periods of stress. “We see that milk production remains more stable at a higher level as a result.” In the Netherlands, this happens, for example, in feed mixtures against heat stress or when extra support is needed, such as during the transition period. “In practice, continuous use of Levucell SC in the dry period and lactation also has a positive effect on the health of the cow.” This contributes to a longer life.
Cow tripe in the lead role
Lallemand is organizing a symposium on 10 November with the cow rumen in the leading role. Vreeburg will elaborate on the influence of live yeasts on the rumen and milk production. In addition, other aspects related to rumen health are discussed on which livestock farmers themselves can influence. Trevor de Vries, a leading behavioral researcher, tells more about eating behavior and rumen health. Bertjan Westerlaan, veterinarian and housing specialist at Vetvice, discusses the practical layout of the barn and the influence of management measures.