Calf - Microbial Establishment

• The rumen of the newborn calf is undeveloped and contains no bacteria
• The first microbes to develop inside the stomach are anaerobic bacteria, followed by the cellulolytic bacteria and fungi and then the ciliate protozoa; this process must occur in order
• After the first day, the rumen is inoculated with a large number of bacteria via the mother’s saliva; if separation occurs too early, the calf suffers stress, reduced immunity and delayed rumen development
• The transition from milk to solids should occur after microbial colonization is complete, in order to prevent digestive disorders in the young animal
• Feeding live yeast speeds up the maturation of the microbial ecosystem, preventing these problems and accelerates microbial colonization
• Number and type of bacteria available in the rumen depend largely on diet
• Rumen specific live yeast stabilizes the rumen fermentation so that a larger, more diverse population of rumen microflora is established and early rumen development is encouraged