Use of the Probiotic Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Var. Boulardii RC009 in the Rearing Stage of Calves

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the application of the probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. Boulardii -RC009 to different times on productive parameters of calves in the feedlot in the rearing stage. The concentration of S. boulardii RC-009 in the probiotic additive was 1x1010 CFU/g, mixed with the diet to obtain a dose of 1 g/animal/day. Treatments: T1- control (TMR without probiotic additive); T2- Probiotic (TMR with 5x1011 CFU/t S. boulardii -RC009). Experiment 1: 82 weaned calves (Aberdeen Angus) of 9-10 months old (males and females) with an initial weight of 175 and 183.5kg were used. The animals were weighed and separated into two groups of 41 animals each. The animals were weighed on days 1, 34, and 53 days of the experiment. Experiment 2: 140 Aberdeen Angus calves 12 months old (males and females) with an initial weight of 260-291kg were used. The animals were weighed and separated into 2 groups of 70 animals each. The animals were weighed on days 1, 18, and 35 days of the experiment. Calves from experiment 1, showed a conversion efficiency of 4% compared to the control animals (7.1-7.4: 1, respectively). Calves from experiment 2, showed a conversion efficiency of 3.77% compared to control animals (5.1-5.3:1, respectively). In conclusion, this is the first time that a product based on S. boulardii -RC009 demonstrates a better conversion efficiency in crossbred feed-lot calves in the rearing stage with an administration period of 35 days, positively impacting production costs.