Effect of Yeast in Mixed Grass, Forage Maize and Whole Crop Silage Diets on Locomotion Score, Lameness and Sole Bruising in First Lactation Holstein Friesian Dairy Cattle

Yeast has been used as a means of manipulating rumen fermentation to improve production performance because of the effect on stimulating cellulolytics in the rumen that increase fibre digestion, alter acetate to propionate ratios and increase microbial protein flow to the duodenum (Wallace, 1992). Most studies, where an animal response was observed, yeast culture increased feed intake rather than altering feed conversion efficiency; only occasionally were improved feed efficiency a possible benefit (Gunther, 1989). However, Williams et al. (1991) found that animals offered high energy diets had decreased rumen lactic acid concentrations, which is associated with higher rumen pH and characteristic of more stable rumen fermentation. This research aimed to assess the effect of viable yeast on lameness, laminitis and sole ...