Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Yeast Cell Suspension (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on Nutrient Utilisation and Growth Response in Crossbred Calves

Abstract

Twenty crossbred calves of 88 ± 5.5 kg initial live weight and 3-4 month of age were divided into two groups and fed wheat straw and concentrate to support a 500 g daily gain in body weight. Calves in the experimental group (YC) were given a daily dose of 10 ml yeast cell suspension (YC) containing live cells (5 × 109 cells/ml) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ITCCF 2094. After a growth study of 122 days metabolism trials were conducted. The calves in the YC group recorded a daily weigt gain of 492 ± 27.8 g as compared to 476 ± 20.1 g in control group. There were no significant differences in feed intake, nutrient digestibility, feed/gain ratio and nitrogen retention between the YC supplemented and control groups.