Yeast coat improves stability

KW Alternative feeds is promoting a coated live yeast feed additive, Biosaf, which it says is not only matched specifically to meet the requirements of the dairy cow but is also much less susceptible to damage from heat or acidic feeds than other yeast products currently available.

Biosaf differs from other yeast supplements because of its unique manufacturing process, which coats the inner core of live yeast with an outer layer of dead yeast cells. This produces a highly stable granular product that resists degradation when included in rations containing acidic feeds, such as wet silage, or when exposed to extreme temperatures.

Biosaf helps create and maintain the optimum rumen environment, and so consistently maximise feed intake, digestion efficiency and nutrient supply. Trials have shown that Biosaf can increase yields by up to 2 litres/cow/day, improve milk solids and reduce body condition loss during lactation, all by optimising the rumen environment. Improvements in rumen function are also often linked to better fertility and a reduction in the number of foot problems.

Feeding Biosaf premix at the recommended rate of 100 grams per cow per day provides 40 billion colony forming units (CFU) of live yeast - more than three times the level of active yeast contained in its nearest competitor, and more than 40 times more than other leading products. In addition, the protective structure of the granules means that a greater proportion of the supplied yeast survives.

Biosaf typically costs 7 pence per day. The potential 2 litres yield improvement delivers up to an extra 35p per day per cow. Biosaf premix comes in 20kg bags with a minimum delivery quantity of half a tonne.