Mannan oligosaccharides derived from the outer cell wall of selected strains of yeast have been widely researched over the past 13 years and their potential to improve growth performance, liveability and health has been demonstrated in many trials. Aidan Connolly and Andreas Kocher feature some of the many studies that have been conducted.

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) are ideal for attracting and attaching pathogenic bacteria. Laboratory testing, however, showed that different forms of MOS showed enormous differences in efficacy. Kyle Newman explains how the efficacy can be quantified by using the recently developed aggregation rate coefficient.

Supplementing acidotic diets with the live yeast SC 47 strengthens the rumen’s reducing power by improving its O2 scavenging ability. This new concept presented by Jean-Philippe Marden and Corine Bayourthe, applies thermodynamic laws to finally allow better understanding live yeast’s mode of action in ruminants and clarifies the optimal conditions for its use.

For a better understanding of the mode of action of live years, new models have been developed that use thermodynamic calculation to explain ph stabilisation in the rumen...

The idea of taking into account parameters such as the costs and benefits of a natural biological activator (live yeast) in formulation models is fairly new and sounds an exciting concept; as more research centres and companies follow suit, a new generation of models and formulation tools is emerging...

Various parts of the yeast cell have been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in livestock performance. Now a unique processing method that yields the cell wall and contents can be linked to specific pathogen control measures.

Despite the fact that antimicrobial growth promoters are at risk globally and their benefits will soon be lost to European production, there is no reason why the experience and expertise that these additives generated should be lost with them. A safe and reliable feed supplement should still satisfy the traditional requirements, says Marc Coulier.

After a four-year study, Dr Veronique Julliand of l'ENESAD (National School of Higher Agronomy Studies) in Dijon has proven the benefits of live yeast for the health and digestive function of horses.

For a number of years now, there have been groups dedicated to educating the world about the benefits of yeast in diets for ruminants, but until recently, their efforts were hampered by a relative lack of knowledge about why it worked. In the background, however, rumen microbiologists have been working hard to accumulate the data and now they believe they have filled in many of the gaps.