Evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 fed before weaning on health and growth of male dairy calves

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiac booulardii CNCM I-1079 (SCB; Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Milwaukee, WI) in improving growth and fecal consistency in young dairy calves. Materials and Methods: Male Holstein calves that arrived at a commercial rearing facility were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: control (no active dry yeast supplement); 5.0 g per head per day of ProTernative Milk containing 10 x 10(9) cfu of SCB (SCBS); or 10.0 g per head per day of ProTernative Milk containing 20 x 10(9) cfu of SCB (SCB10). These treatments were administered in the daily allotment of milk replacer. Fecal scores, bovine respiratory disease scores, and treatments administered were recorded on a daily basis. Body weight was measured at arrival and d 42 and 56 following arrival. Results and Discussion: A total of 240 male Holstein calves were enrolled in the trial, with 80 calves in each respective treatment group. No differences among the groups were found with respect to mortality, fecal scores, or bovine respiratory disease scores. A growth advantage was found, especially in the postweaning period, with the SCB10 group having a 0.17 kg/d increase in ADG from d 42 to 56 after arrival when compared with the control. No difference in growth, however, was observed in the group fed SCBS. Implications and Applications: This study demonstrates that supplementation of SCB before weaning is associated with a growth advantage, despite almost 30 and 7% of the calves experiencing diarrhea and pneumonia, respectively.