These potential invaders are responsible for some of the most prevalent health issues in the dairy industry today (mastitis and scours).
Due to the significant impact these diseases present to ongoing profitability and animal wellbeing, having an appropriate integrated disease management strategy is essential to mitigate the risk of disease-causing pathogens on farm.
Nutritionally, one option that has been explored is the use of yeast-derived products, however not all yeast products perform with similar efficacy.
Enzymatically derived Refined Functional Carbohydrates (RFCs) from yeast act through several mechanisms to alleviate production challenges leading to improved profitability.
Some of these benefits include ability to manage cryptosporidiosis, bacterial morbidity and mortality, and decrease mycotoxin damage.
The manufacturing process involved in refining these functional carbohydrates from yeast seems to play a key role in functionality of the resulting products.
While the structural components of yeast cells, mainly the MOS, beta glucans and chitins are present in similar concentrations, there are differences in their structure and functionality.
Studies show functionality or the efficacy against disease of a product does not seem to be directly related to the quantity of these carbohydrates present in the product.
It is well established that the gut plays a critical role in livestock production.
. It is both the site where nutrients are converted to energy for growth and the site where energy is utilized for maintenance. The balance between the two determines growth, efficiency, and profitability for livestock production. Key to achieving this success is balancing the gut microflora.
A large, well-adapted commensal microbial population (mix of microorganisms regularly found at that site) can exclude many potential pathogens through competition.
Research demonstrates that RFCs support the commensal microflora to improve feed digestibility while preventing the pathogens and mycotoxins from causing acute and sub-acute damage.
In addition, the liberated mannose, its oligomers and its polymers decrease attachment and infiltration by all genus of the enterobacteriaceae family with type one mannose sensitive pilli.
Similarly, RFCs also show a dose-dependent decrease in attachment and infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) sporozoites in bovine and porcine epithelial cell lines.
Calves receiving RFCs were 50 per cent less likely to get infected with C. parvum compared to unsupplemented calves.
Moreover, infected calves receiving RFCs stopped shedding faster and had less scouring and dehydration compared to supplemented calves.
One study has also demonstrated that cases of clinical mastitis for yeast culture plus RFCs were less than half those for control and yeast culture during weeks eight to 14 on trial.
Somatic cell count was higher for cows fed control and yeast culture diets compared with yeast culture RFC, primarily during week eight to 14 on trial.
While in a separate temperature/transport stress-related trial cows fed yeast culture plus RFCs recorded significantly lower blood (serum) stress markers as well significantly lower E. coli counts during the 24 hours post event.
– Supplied by AusPac Ingredients
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