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Heat Stress Resilience: The Power of Live Yeast
As climate variability becomes more frequent, heat stress has become an increasingly prevalent challenge in livestock production in Australia. Innovative nutritional strategies should be considered in any management programme if they have been shown to encourage animal welfare and support farm profitability. Among the most promising tools is the use of rumen-specific live yeast, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (LEVUCELL SC), which has demonstrated consistent benefits in both dairy and beef cattle under thermal stress.
Matt Bekker, Technical Manager, Ruminant
Benefits to the Cow: Stabilising the Rumen, Enhancing Digestion
Heat stress disrupts rumen function, reduces feed intake, and impairs digestion. However, multiple studies have shown that supplementing cattle diets with LEVUCELL SC can mitigate these effects:
- Improved Rumen pH Stability: Across peer reviewed studies, cattle receiving LEVUCELL SC experienced significantly less time below the critical threshold of pH 5.8. In one study, this time was reduced by 48 minutes per day, indicating a more stable and less acidotic rumen environment.
- Enhanced Digestibility: Supplementation with Levucell increased the digestibility of crude protein (from 65.1% to 70.4%) and neutral detergent fibre (from 47.5% to 55.2%), supporting better nutrient absorption and energy availability.
- Optimised Feeding Behavior: Supplementation with Levucell also showed more consistent intake patterns, longer feeding durations (up to 146.2 minutes/day), and increased chewing time per kilogram of fibre, all of which contribute to improved rumen efficiency.
- Increased Milk Yield and Quality: In heat-stressed dairy cows, LEVUCELL SC improved energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield by up to 2 kg/day and enhanced feed conversion efficiency by 7.4%, without increasing dry matter intake (DMI).
- Reduced Inflammatory Markers: Blood analyses reveals lower concentrations of acute-phase proteins such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, indicating reduced systemic inflammation and improved overall health.
Benefits to the Producer: Performance, Profitability, and Practicality
For a producer, the implications of these findings are substantial:
- Greater Feed Efficiency: With improved digestibility and rumen function, cattle convert feed into milk or meat more efficiently. In dairy cows, the net energy for lactation (NEL) of the diet increased by 5.2% with yeast supplementation.
- Improved Growth and Carcass Quality: In beef cattle, average daily gain (ADG) improved by 50 g/day, and carcass weight increased by 5 kg over a 70-day fattening period. A commercial trial in Italy reported a 5% increase in ADG under moderate heat stress conditions.
- Reduced Risk of Acidosis: Compared to traditional buffers like sodium bicarbonate, LEVUCELL SC not only maintained better rumen pH but also supported higher milk yield and reduced time spent under acidotic conditions.
- Consistent Production During Heat Events: Even mild heat stress (THI > 68) can reduce milk yield by over 1 kg/day. Supplementing with LEVUCELL SC helps maintain performance during these periods, reducing seasonal variability and economic losses.
- Ease of Integration: LEVUCELL SC is compatible with existing feeding systems and can be used alongside buffers or as a standalone additive, offering flexibility for diverse management systems.
Science-Backed, Field-Tested
The benefits of LEVUCELL SC are supported by a robust body of research from institutions including the University of Florida, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the University of Bologna, and the University of Tehran. These studies consistently demonstrate that a daily dose of 2.0 g (equivalent to 20 billion CFU) yields optimal results in heat-stressed cattle.
Conclusion
Incorporating rumen-specific live yeast into cattle diets during periods of heat stress is a scientifically validated strategy that enhances rumen stability, improves digestion, and boosts production efficiency. For both dairy and beef operations, LEVUCELL SC offers a practical, cost-effective solution to mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress—supporting healthier animals and more resilient, profitable farms.
References
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Summary of Key Metrics from the study conducted at the department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida.
Published Dec 8, 2025 | Updated Feb 2, 2026