<p>Yeast culture, a product of anaerobic solid-state fermentation of plant-based substrates inoculated with yeast strains and dehydrated, is widely used in animal production. Studies show its diverse benefits, including improved feed palatability, increased feed intake, enhanced gastrointestinal and immune health, and better productivity and reproduction in various animal species. However, the specific bioactive components responsible for these effects remain unclear. In the context of postbiotics, yeast culture from solid-state fermentation contains a mix of cellular lysates, metabolites, and growth substrates, fitting the postbiotic definition. These components can be classified into six main groups: proteins, polysaccharides, organic acids, enzymes, vitamins, and nucleotides. Research gaps exist in understanding how these components interact with animal physiology. This review consolidates data on yeast culture postbiotics, explores their metabolic effects in animals, and proposes strategies for targeted accumulation of these compounds to drive innovation in yeast culture applications to more effectively improve animal production performance such as weight gain rate, milk production, and health levels such as improving intestinal barrier function. These improvements reduce the feed cost per unit product by improving the overall breeding efficiency.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>