A process for propagating a yeast capable of fermenting glucose and xylose of a lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, said process comprising: Propagating the yeast over at least a first propagation cycle and a second propagation cycle, the first propagation cycle (P n, where n=1) comprising the steps of: a. contacting the yeast at a starting yeast density with a first cultivation medium comprising a first portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, b. allowing the yeast to propagate to create a first populated broth comprising water and a first propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the first cultivation medium are consumed in the first propagation cycle, the second propagation cycle (P 2, n=2) comprising the steps of: a. separating the first populated broth into at least a first removed portion and a first residual portion, wherein both the first residual portion and the first removed portion comprise some of the first propagated yeast, b. contacting the first residual portion with a second cultivation medium comprising a second portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, and c. allowing the yeast to propagate to create a second populated broth comprising water and a second propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the second cultivation medium are consumed in the second propagation cycle. Propagating the yeast over at least a first propagation cycle and a second propagation cycle, the first propagation cycle (P n, where n=1) comprising the steps of: a. contacting the yeast at a starting yeast density with a first cultivation medium comprising a first portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, b. allowing the yeast to propagate to create a first populated broth comprising water and a first propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the first cultivation medium are consumed in the first propagation cycle, a. contacting the yeast at a starting yeast density with a first cultivation medium comprising a first portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, b. allowing the yeast to propagate to create a first populated broth comprising water and a first propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the first cultivation medium are consumed in the first propagation cycle, the second propagation cycle (P 2, n=2) comprising the steps of: a. separating the first populated broth into at least a first removed portion and a first residual portion, wherein both the first residual portion and the first removed portion comprise some of the first propagated yeast, b. contacting the first residual portion with a second cultivation medium comprising a second portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, and c. allowing the yeast to propagate to create a second populated broth comprising water and a second propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the second cultivation medium are consumed in the second propagation cycle. a. separating the first populated broth into at least a first removed portion and a first residual portion, wherein both the first residual portion and the first removed portion comprise some of the first propagated yeast, b. contacting the first residual portion with a second cultivation medium comprising a second portion of the lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolyzate, and c. allowing the yeast to propagate to create a second populated broth comprising water and a second propagated yeast, wherein at least 50% of the glucose and less than 20% of the xylose in the second cultivation medium are consumed in the second propagation cycle.