Boniface Mwangi, a dairy farmer from Murang’a County, has doubled his daily milk production after consistently mixing yeast with commercial feeds.
The farmer, who practices small-scale dairy farming, says his milk production jumped from one 1.5 liters a day to three liters after adopting yeast.
“Yeast expels oxygen from the digestive system of the cattle, making anaerobic bacteria to increase in number. Bacteria that live in the digestive system without oxygen support the breaking down of food, therefore, no nutrient waste,” said Mwangi.
The farmer mixes two kilograms of feeds with half a liter of the yeast. He buys the yeast from Kenya Breweries Limited’s Murang’a branch at Sh200 per 20 litre Jerrican.
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According to John Muchibi, the Animal Health Manager at Elgon Kenya, yeast fed to a dairy cow improves digestibility and increases feed intake, boosting milk production.
“Yeast extracts increase the number and activity of beneficial bacterial leading to an increased rate of ruminal fermentation and a subsequent increase in net energy. As more organic matter is fermented per unit time, the animal is able to consume more dry matter, which also increases net energy.’’
“As the number of beneficial bacteria increases, there is a subsequent increase in microbial protein which, when combined with increased net energy, leads to high milk production,’’ he said.
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Muchibi adds that for a healthy and productive cow, feed rations should have a balance of quality, quantity, and amount of concentrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
These nutrients can be obtained from fodder crops such as Bhoma Rhodes, Lucern, Desmodium, and sweet potato vines. Muchibi, however, recommends Nappier grass fed together with desmodium.
“Fresh fodder should be fed after a day’s wilt chopped into 2-inch pieces to enable the cow feed easily and minimize wastage. A dairy cow should consume 15-20 kgs f chopped forage per day, preferably in two splits, one in the morning and the other in the evening,’’ he added.