Boosting Cow-Calf Herd Efficiency Bite by Bite

For cow-calf producers, maximizing forage utilization isn’t just a goal—it is essential. With unpredictable pasture conditions and rising input costs, ensuring cows extract the most nutrition from available grass is critical to maintaining herd productivity and profitability. The challenge? Energy deficiencies in grazing cattle are often overlooked, impacting everything from calf growth to reproductive success.

Unlocking More Energy from Every Bite

Cows spend most of their lives on pasture, yet not all forage is created equal. Low- to mid-quality forages can limit energy availability, creating an unseen nutritional gap. While traditional mineral and vitamin supplementation plays a role, it may not fully address digestion inefficiencies at the root of the issue. That’s where targeted rumen support can make a difference.

“Think of the rumen as the powerhouse of digestion,” said Dr. Kip Karges, Technical Services Manager, Lallemand Animal Nutrition. “When cows can break down fiber better, they extract more energy from every mouthful of grass—improving body condition, milk production, and ultimately, calf performance.”

Rumen-Specific Probiotics: A Natural Boost

Just as microorganisms play a crucial role in everyday products like yogurt, cheese, and bread, the right microbes in a cow’s rumen can enhance fiber digestion, boosting energy production and overall performance (Figure 1). “Think of it like baking bread—active yeast triggers a reaction, and these beneficial microbes help cows break down fiber more effectively, driving performance and rangeland efficiency,” said Karges. Research has shown that live yeast strains like Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM-1077 optimize microbial activity in the rumen, leading to improved nutrient absorption and better herd performance.¹ “Our results underscore the value of rumen-specific yeast supplementation in optimizing beef cattle performance, particularly in variable forage conditions,” added Karges.

Figure 1

A recent study conducted in Kansas evaluated the impact of incorporating S. cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (LEVUCELL® SC) into a free-choice mineral program for grazing cow-calf pairs.² Over 187 days, the research revealed:

By leveraging research-backed microbial solutions, producers can unlock more value from every acre of pasture, ensuring healthier cows, heavier calves and stronger long-term herd performance. “At the end of the day, it’s about helping cows do more with what they’ve got,” said Karges. “When we support the rumen with the right microbial solution, we’re not just improving digestion—we’re improving the entire system, from pasture to profitability.” For more insights on enhancing forage efficiency, visit www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com.

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References:

¹ Based on eight scientific works and 364 forage samples. List of published work: Guedes et al., CECAV Portugal, 2008. Anim Feed Sci Technol 145:27-40, Guedes et al., CECAV Portugal, 2010. Proceeding from Wageningen Symposium, Netherlands pp 25-30, Gomez M.J. et, CECAV Portugal, Congresso de Zootechnica 2015. Chaucheyras-Durand F. et al., INRA France, 2010 , J Dairy ScJ. Anim. Sci. 88 (S2)/J. Dairy Sci. 93 (S1): 145, Walker and Cintora, BRI, Canada 2010, Ding G. et al., China Agricultural University, China, 2014 J. Anim. Sci. and Biotech. 5:24, Souza D.O. Lallemand Internal report, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2015, Souza D.O., University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2018, Anim Feed Sci Technol 236:149-158.

²  Adams, et. al., 2024. Impact of an active-dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077) delivered via free-choice mineral on growth parameters of beef cow-calf pairs grazing native rangelands. J. Anim. Sci Vol. 102, Suppl. S3, 334–335. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae303.