EFFECTS OF A PROBIOTIC YEAST IN LACTATING RUMINANTS - INTERACTION WITH DIETARY NITROGEN LEVEL

This study was designed to test the effects of a probiotic yeast (Sacc haromyces cerevisiae I-1077) at two levels of nitrogen intake in early lactation, expressed as PDI (Protein truly Digestible in the small In testine) at normal levels of 108gPDIkg(-1) DM (dry matter) vs. low lev els of 78gPDIkg(-1) DM, on dry matter intake, milk production and comp osition and on blood parameters. Twenty-eight dairy goats received a c omplete diet including alfalfa hay (25% of dry matter), pressed sugar beet pulp silage (50%) and a compound feed (25%). Supplying yeast decr eased energy and nitrogen balances during the first 6 weeks after part urition. Yeast seemed to facilitate increased mobilization of body res erves and to increase milk fatty acid production. Thus, fat-corrected milk yield increased during the period when animals are very susceptib le to nutritional stress.