Agglomerated live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplemented to pelleted total mixed rations improves the growth performance of fattening lambs

Agglomerating live yeast (LY; Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is an emerging manufacturing technique to protect viability during the process of feed pelleting. This study aimed to examine the survival rate of agglomerated LY supplemented into total mixed rations after pelleting and effects of the supplement on animal performance and feed digestion. The study was conducted in a 2 x 2 factorial design with two experimental factors and two levels in each factor: the proportion of corn in the diet (350 g/kg diet as fed for low corn versus 600 g/kg diet as fed for high corn) and the absence or presence (0.8 g/kg diet as fed) of agglomerated LY in the diet, to form four dietary treatments. After adaptation to pelleted total mixed rations and housing conditions, fifty-six 3-month-old male lambs with a bodyweight of 19.9 +/- 2.7 kg (mean +/- s.d.) were randomly assigned to the four dietary treatments (n = 14 per treatment). The survival rate of agglomerated LY was 54% after pelleting. The supplementation of LY resulted in 36 g/d greater average daily gain regardless of the proportion of corn in the diet (P = 0.007). The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre increased by 38, 41, 193, and 122 g/kg, respectively, with the supplementation of LY (P <= 0.007). In conclusion, agglomerated LY can be feasibly supplemented as a feed additive to pelleted total mixed rations for fattening lambs.