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New Research Confirms: LEVUCELL SC Boosts Lamb Weaning Success
According to new publication, Lallemand rumen-specific live yeast improves rumen development, microbiota and fermentation in young lambs fed high-grain diet.
The first few weeks of life are critical for lambs, calves, and all young ruminants. During this time, the rumen undergoes rapid development, laying the foundation for future welfare and performance. However, early life and weaning are challenging periods that can hinder rumen maturation and its microbiota establishment.
Recently, thanks to advanced metagenomics techniques, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, pioneer in ruminant microbiota research, helped gain a better understanding of these microbial populations, how they colonize the rumen and how rumen modifiers such as rumen-specific live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (LEVUCELL SC) can positively influence this process (Chaucheyras-Durand F. et al., 2019).
New findings from Athens University
Lallemand Animal Nutrition conducted a research study in lambs in partnership with the team of Eleni Tsiplakou from the Agricultural University of Athens, in Greece, in order to evaluate the effects and modes of action of LEVUCELL SC on rumen microbial communities, fermentation profile and rumen wall histology in artificially reared lambs fed a diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates (barley-grain) (Mavrommatis et al. 2025).
The peer-reviewed study confirms LEVUCELL SC’s well-documented benefits in:
- Preventing acidosis
- Enhancing fiber degradation
- Supporting early rumen microbiota development
The main findings of this study highlighted:
A positive effect on rumen microbiota populations
LEVUCELL SC strengthened the fibrolytic microbiota: relative abundance of key bacterial families such as Fibrobacteraceae and Ruminococcaceae were increased at 100 days (Figure 1). Thus, more energy could be released from the diet for optimal feed efficiency.
Lactate-utilizing bacteria were also promoted with the live yeast, such as Selenomonas, Anaerovibrio, indicating an active metabolism towards lactate removal, potentially preventing ruminal acidosis (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Effect of LEVUCELL SC supplementation on rumen microbial populations around weaning on high-grain diet.
Enhanced energy metabolism
An increased concentration of acetate, propionate, and butyrate was observed in the live yeast-fed lambs, illustrating an improved fermentative function thanks to optimal microbiota.
Improved rumen papillae development
The rumen wall of a newborn animal is very thin with no visible papillae. The development of the rumen papillae depends on the diet, in particular on the presence of solid grain. It is the fermentation of grain in the rumen, through the production of VFAs — mostly butyric acid — that stimulates papillae growth. Additionally, papillae development is closely linked with the rumen microbiota and its diversity.
In the present study, improved microbiota development and fermentative function in the LEVUCELL SC-fed lambs lead to enhanced structure of the rumen papillae (Figure 2). The author concluded that the live yeast mitigated the extensive, non-uniform keratinization of the rumen wall induced by a diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates.
Figure 2: Effect of LEVUCELL SC supplementation on rumen wall histology around weaning.
This publication strengthens previous research conducted in Spain (Hassan et al. 2023) in growing lambs (7-10 weeks of age), which also reported increased anaerobic fungi and ciliate protozoa populations with the live yeast; while fermentative activity and rumen wall integrity were enhanced.
From science to farm-gate benefits
Numerous commercial trials in young ruminants around weaning confirm that LEVUCELL SC’s invisible effects in the rumen translate into visible performance benefits:
- +20% starter feed intake pre-weaning, as shown by a meta-analysis of nine research trial results conducted in calves at different stages.
- +8% starter feed intake post-weaning, shown in the same meta-analysis
- +120g/day average daily gain in calves, equivalent to 10% improvement
- +3–10% ADG improvement in lambs
- Improved herd homogeneity
- Shortened weaning periods, an economical advantage when for heifer rearing but also to sell weaned young bulls or lambs for fattening.
Conclusion
LEVUCELL SC helps better prepare lambs, calves and all young ruminants for weaning by supporting rumen maturation, microbiota development, and fermentative capacity. These benefits lead to improved growth, performance, and resilience.
LEVUCELL SC is part of Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s microbial and antioxidant solutions program, designed to help young ruminants face every challenge and ensure the best start in life!
References
- Hassan et al. 2023 – CSIC Granada, Spain, Jornadas AIDA-ITEA, – Oral presentation Mavrommatis et al.,2025 The impact of probiotic live yeast in a barley grain-based diet on rumen microbial communities, fermentation, and histology of artificially reared lambs.. Anim. Feed Sc. Technol (322):116269.
- Chaucheyras-Durand F, Ameilbonne A, Auffret P, Bernard M, Mialon MM, Dunière L, Forano E. 2019. Supplementation of live yeast based feed additive in early life promotes rumen microbial colonization and fibrolytic potential in lambs. Scientific reports doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55825-0.
Published Nov 6, 2025 | Updated Feb 2, 2026