Ranchers are constantly striving to maximize the productivity of their native rangeland, as raising and selling heavy and healthy calves is key to profitability. In these challenging environments, where the land often has limited rainfall, poor soil quality and variable nutrient availability from native grasses, it becomes essential to ensure that cattle are as efficient as possible in converting low-quality forage into high-quality pounds of protein for human consumption. Helping producers enhance calf weight gain while maintaining the optimum body condition of the cow herd is critical to keeping operations profitable (Figure 1).
Strategic decisions for success
Producers must make numerous strategic decisions within their operations to ensure long-term success. Time of calving is often timed to align with the availability of quality forage, ensuring that both cows and calves are nutritionally supported from birth through weaning. Calves are often fed creep feed to supplement their energy and protein intake, which also reduces the nutritional demands on the cows that are otherwise required to fully support the calves. In some cases, higher-quality forage must be provided to the entire herd to maintain reasonable body conditions during harsh winters or hot, dry summers when grasslands are under stress.
Beyond these challenges, producers face external variables such as drought, labor availability and the rising costs of land, fuel and equipment – all of which can impact profitability. Despite these hurdles, the U.S. population and global export markets rely on American cattle producers to supply the highest-quality beef in the world. This means that efficiency in our cow-calf operations is more critical than ever.
Maximizing efficiency and profit potential
So what can producers do to minimize inputs while maximizing outputs? The answer lies in making informed decisions about the nutrition program – specifically choosing the right feed and feed additives that can directly influence the pounds gained and, consequently, return on your investment.
Improving gut health and digestion using probiotics has been widely studied in human medicine and nutrition, as well as animal nutrition. Probiotics can positively support the balance and activities of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota of both humans and animals. This action can be a benefit in modern cattle production, where many drawbacks to growth and nutrition are caused by the disruption of the normal rumen and intestinal environment. In fact, producers should consider the following factors when selecting a high-quality probiotic:
- Trusted partner: The manufacturer should ensure a high-quality production process and quality control measures to ensure product viability and efficacy.
- Specific and guaranteed: You should know the composition, yeast strain and specific function of the probiotic.
- Research-backed: Each specific strain of yeast has its own unique genetic and metabolic properties. Select one that has positive cattle health and performance results.
- Fit for purpose: Pelleted feed, low-moisture tubs, mineral premixes and range cubes are all potentially harsh environments for live yeast probiotics. Choose a product that will remain viable for animal consumption. Probiotics require microencapsulation to ensure viability during certain pelleted feed, mineral or tub manufacturing processes.
- Feed daily: Probiotics do not colonize the animal’s digestive system, so daily consumption is needed to ensure a consistent level in the digestive tract for optimal results.
One such yeast probiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM I-1077, can support a cow’s ability to extract nutrients even from marginal grasslands. It is a solution that can significantly enhance feed efficiency, optimize nutrient absorption the herd receives from forages and improve overall herd performance, making it a vital component of any well-rounded cow-calf nutrition program.
A yeast probiotic that has been proven to support rumen function and increase fiber digestibility, particularly with lower-quality forages, is key to helping cattle extract more energy from their feed, leading to improved milk yield and heavier weaned calves.
Creating a better rumen environment is essential for breaking down tough fibers. The yeast attaches to fiber bundles, creating cracks that allow beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms to access and digest these fibers more effectively. This not only improves feed efficiency but also stabilizes rumen pH, further supporting overall cattle health and performance (Figure 2).
Proven results
Recent grazing beef cow research has shown that Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 fed 30 days before calving through weaning significantly improved body condition score (BCS), with an average of half a condition score increase. This is an important metric for cow-calf producers, as it ensures cows meet their nutritional needs, leading to better calving intervals and improved breedback rates for the following season. Additionally, calf average daily gain (ADG) and weaning weights increased by 7% and 5%, respectively. In current market conditions, this means an extra $72 per head (Figure 3).
For optimal results, it is recommended that producers begin feeding a yeast probiotic at least 30 days before calving and continue through weaning via loose mineral, tubs or liquid feed. During this time, the cow’s nutrient requirements will be at their highest, making the benefits particularly valuable in enhancing rumen function, improving milk yield and ensuring better performance and higher economic value for cow-calf producers.
In the face of challenging rangeland conditions, the ability to optimize cattle efficiency is crucial for maintaining a profitable cow-calf operation. By incorporating a research-proven rumen-specific probiotic like Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM I-1077 into cow nutrition programs, producers can ensure that their cattle make the most of every bite of forage, ultimately leading to healthier cows, heavier calves and greater profit potential.
References omitted but are available upon request by sending an email to the editor.
