Research finds yeast in beef rations boosts growth

A new research has concluded that adding yeast to beef rations could boost growth by up to 8% per day.

Data by KW Feeds found Limousin-cross heifer and steers fed a corn silage-based TMR from 100kg weight to finishing weights of 400kg grew faster, more efficiently and reached heavier finishing weights.

Yeast-fed cattle also had higher dry matter intakes than the control diet cattle.

The results are supported by two additional trials using growing Friesian steers, both of which produced a 0.1kg/day improvement in growth rates (1.37kg/day versus 1.27kg/day; 1.06kg/day versus 0.96kg/day), an increase in performance of 8% and10% respectively.

The addition of yeast can most benefit beef cattle on a high plane of nutrition, said KW's Paul Jackson.

Beef cattle on a high plane of nutrition are usually driven by high levels of starch in the ration, and the addition of yeast can have a significant impact on overall performance. By helping to limit acidosis, yeast can improve rumen fermentation, enhance overall feed conversion efficiency and boosting growth rates, said Jackson.

At a cost of just over 3p/head/day, the benefits of better growth rate and feed conversion efficiency give a return on investment of almost 2.5:1, according to Jackson.