- The effects of inactive dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) from sugar cane were studied in 18 primiparus
Saanen dairy goats (51.07±1.43) on dry matter intake and digestibility, milk production and quality. Animals were distributed
in a completely randomized design during 90 days (from day 60 of milking). Diets were composed of soybean meal; soybean
meal + dry yeast; or dry yeast, as protein sources, and ground corn, mineral supplement and corn silage (40%). Animals fed
the dry yeast diet showed lower intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein, ether extract and neutral
detergent fiber. Diets did not influence milk yield; however the milk production efficiency (kg of milk produced/kg of crude
protein ingested) was better in goats fed the dry yeast diet. Acidity, somatic cell counts and milk urea nitrogen values were
not affected by treatments. Animals fed the soybean + dry yeast diet had higher fat and total solids than those fed the dry
yeast diet. The digestibility of DM, OM and total carbohydrate was lower for soybean only and soybean + dry yeast diets.
Total digestible nutrients were higher for dry yeast and soy bean diets than soybean + dry yeast diet. Dry yeast from sugar
cane is a good alternative protein source for feeding lactating dairy goats and can be recommended because it maintains the
production performance.