Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 supplementation on performance and rumen microbiota of dairy calves

A total of 120 Holstein male calves were randomly assigned to either an unsupplemented live yeast (CTR) or to a live yeast supplemented meal starter concentrate (LY) from 10 to 77 d of age. Calves were fed starter concentrate ad libitum and milk replacer (23% CP; 19.5% fat) until they consumed 0.9 kg of starter concentrate during 3 consecutive days. At weaning, they were moved from individual hutches to grouped pens of 5 to 6 calves, and they were followed 3 more weeks. Body weight was recorded weekly and intake daily. Rumen liquid from 25 calves per treatment was obtained 19 d after weaning, to measure rumen pH and to quantify Streptococcus bovis, Ruminococcus albus, and protozoa populations. During the preweaning period, ADG of LY calves at d 35 of study tended (P = 0.06) to be greater than that of CTR calves (0.68 vs. 0.55 ± 0.038 kg/d, respectively). During the postweaning period, intake was greater (P < 0.05) and ADG tended to be greater (P = 0.053) in LY compared with CTR calves (2.34 vs. 2.10 ± 0.057 kg of DMI/d, and 0.82 vs. 0.68 ± 0.047 kg/d, respectively). After weaning, LY calves had greater (P < 0.05) rumen pH than CTR calves (5.4 vs. 5.2 ± 0.06), and rumen population of R. albus was greater (P < 0.05) in LY than CTR treatment. In conclusion, supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the starter concentrate for calves before and after weaning might help during the weaning period to solid feed.