Yeast additive approved for beef cattle feed

Levucell SC, a 'rumen-specific' yeast additive for cattle feed, has picked up approval for a new label claim from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The product's manufacturer, Lallemand Animal Nutrition of Milwaukee, may now sell the product to beef cattle producers for use in their feeding programs. The company has also been allowed the claim that Levucell "increases average daily gain when fed as directed" to beef cattle.

CFIA approved Levucell for use in dairy cow rations in 2002, the company noted. The company also already has authorization to sell the additive for both beef and dairy rations in the European Union.

Beef trials showed an eight per cent increase in average daily weight gain, the company said. It also noted in a release Monday that when beef cattle were submitted to the "high stress" of "intensive farming conditions," disease indicators dropped from 17 per cent to three per cent.

"Improvement in meat quality was also noticed with a 50 per cent increase in highest carcass grade," Lallemand said, adding that its studies covered a "large range" of environments, diets, breeds and farming conditions.

Levucell's dairy claim ("increases production when fed as directed") was based on trials showing milk production increases ranging from 3.45 to 5.25 pounds per head per day, Lallemand said.

The company said its yeast product stabilizes rumen pH, cuts the risk of acidosis and improves digestion in the rumen.

Yeast maker Lallemand was founded in Montreal in 1915 and has its head office in Toronto. Apart from its animal nutrition arm, its other divisions make ingredients for baking, food processing, the wine, beer and liquor industries and human health products.