New ‘rumen bomb’ improves digestion

A large-scale commercial field evaluation in Western Victoria has demonstrated the benefits of Yela Prosecure hydrolysed yeast in combination with LEVUCELL SC rumen specific live yeast.

Ballangeich Run is a 1600-cow dairy operated by Hans-Jakob and Wiebke Franzenburg and their hand-picked livestock team.

The Franzenburgs have a natural approach to herd health and have used LEVUCELL SC, a natural, strain-specific live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077), as a standard ingredient in their ration for many years.

LEVUCELL SC’s beneficial effects upon rumen function, digestibility and feed intake for cattle have been documented in more than 60 scientific papers published throughout the world.

Last year, they agreed to trial YELA PROSECURE, a hydrolysed yeast that provides a source of highly digestible amino acids, b-vitamins and small peptides to support rumen function and digestion by driving the efficiency of rumen microbes that are favoured by the rumen environment that LEVUCELL SC supports.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Technical Services Manager – Ruminants, Matt Bekker, says YELA PROSECURE has a complementary mode of action to LEVUCELL SC.

“Yela Prosecure can be thought of a ‘rumen bomb’ of flash/fast nutrients and is ideal for use in combination with LEVUCELL SC live yeast during transition and across the lactation,” Matt says.

“In effect, it further promotes fibre-digesting microbial communities promoted by LEVUCELL SC in the rumen. This has become even more pronounced when pasture grasses began to flower at Ballangeich run, becoming less digestible.”

Cows were fed 25kg silage (maize 35%, grass 60%, straw and molasses), offered twice daily, plus pasture.
Cows also received 3–5 kg of corn-based pellets containing Levucell SC and 2–8 kg of ground wheat according to their production levels.

YELA PROSECURE was introduced on top of the pellet, rising to full dose (10 g/head) after three days.
Hans-Jakob saw an immediate improvement in digestion.

“I do all the AI, so I get to see the business end of my nutrition program up close and personal,” he says.
“We feed our transition cows a nice oaten hay-based ration and without being crass, their waste looks a lot like horse manure.

“Within a couple of days, it was much softer and smoother with less fibre and clearly better digestion.”
Milk production increased by 2,358 L with a minimum increase of milk solids at 100 kg, rising immediately post addition, despite inclement weather conditions.

At $8.50 per kg solids, the inclusion increased income by $850 per day, resulting in an impressive $10.20 return for every $1 invested.

The Franzenburgs have since incorporated YELA PROSECURE as a standard ingredient in all their rations for transition cows, the entire milking herd, weaning calves and replacement heifers.

Hans-Jakob and Wiebke farmed in West Germany until 1995 before moving to the eastern side of the country to increase the size of their operation to 350 cows.

With dreams of establishing a 1000-cow dairy, they turned their sights on opportunities in Argentina, New Zealand and Australia before settling on south-west Victoria, believing it to be the best dairy farming land in the world.

In 2003, they had the opportunity to purchase the historic 1060 ha Ballangeich Run, Ellerslie, from the late Kerry Packer.

The Franzenburgs have since invested in a new dairy, fencing, drainage, silage pits and staff accommodation and are dedicated to creating a comfortable, healthy and low-stress environment for their cows.

Although the current season has been difficult with record low rainfall recorded in the region the farm continues to produce more than 12.5 million litres of milk a year, an impressive average of more than 9000 litres per cow.

“Mastitis is not a concern in the herd due to good hygiene, quality milking equipment, and well-managed empty cows.”

Ballangeich Run is recognised as one of Victoria’s premier dairy farms and is routinely being named in Dairy Australia’s annual Milk Quality Awards.

Established in 2002, the awards recognise Australia’s top 100 producers with the lowest bulk milk cell counts (BMCC) each year.