Álvaro García
Feed costs in feedlot cattle production can vary based on factors such as feed prices, feed conversion efficiency, management practices, and local market conditions. Typically, feed expenses constitute the largest portion of the total production costs in a feedlot setting, ranging from 60% to 80%. This high proportion is a result of the intensive feeding regimes implemented to ensure rapid weight gain and efficient finishing of cattle for the market. Feed efficiency plays a critical role in determining the economic performance of a feedlot, and fluctuations in feed costs significantly impact overall profitability. The percentage of feed costs relative to total expenses can fluctuate depending on the specific characteristics of the feedlot, the duration of feeding, types of feed provided, and regional variations in feed prices. Additionally, shifts in commodity prices for grains used in feed can influence the overall cost structure of feedlot cattle production.
One of the key economic determinants impacting the profitability of beef cattle operations is the provisioning of feed. Against the backdrop of climate change and increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the beef production sector faces heightened scrutiny. As a result, there is a significant focus on enhancing feed efficiency to bolster both the economic and environmental sustainability of beef production systems.
Key to sustainable beef production practices
As feed efficiency becomes an increasingly crucial goal in the beef industry, residual feed intake (RFI) emerges as a key measure. This parameter assesses the difference between actual and predicted feed intake based on maintenance and growth requirements, identifying animals with varying efficiencies in converting feed into body weight gain. More feed efficient cattle contribute to economic and environmental sustainability by reducing overall feed costs and minimizing the environmental impact associated with feed production. In beef cattle breeding programs, the use of RFI helps identify and select animals with improved feed efficiency. Cattle with lower RFI values are considered more feed efficient, achieving desired weight gain with less feed intake. This trait is particularly significant in feedlot settings, where cattle are intensively fed to reach optimal market weights.
To be able to accurately predict feed efficiency there is a need to record accurate data for individual dry matter intake (DMI) and body weight (BW). These measurements remain challenging in beef cattle due to similar reasons as in dairy cattle, such as labor intensity and cost. Current DMI records are primarily available for research purposes and nutrition experiments. While body weight can be measured using various methods, including traditional weighing scales and walk-through scales, there is a lack of a standardized and continuous measurement method for BW, like the situation observed in milk recording for dairy cattle. The application of advanced technologies, such as 3D cameras and precision tools, facilitates accurate measurement of feed intake and data collection for calculating RFI in beef cattle. The use of 3D cameras in combination with artificial intelligence provides a promising alternative for predicting individual DMI and BW in commercial feedlots. These 3D cameras, strategically placed in feeding areas, can identify individual cattle and record their DMI and BW, addressing the challenges associated with traditional measurement methods.
At an individual animal level, various definitions of feed efficiency coexist, each tailored to specific applications. Traditionally, metrics like feed conversion ratio (i.e., feed:gain) or its reciprocal, feed conversion efficiency (i.e., gain:feed), were prevalent. In recent times, residual feed intake (RFI), defined as the disparity between observed feed intake and the expected requirement for supporting both body weight maintenance and growth, has emerged as the preferred metric. Given that the RFI index is formulated to be mathematically independent of the level of animal production, it proves particularly valuable for exploring the biological mechanisms underlying inter-animal variations in feed efficiency.
What does the research say?
Research has underscored the contribution of additive genetic variance to deviations in RFI. There is also a need for further insights into factors such as genotype × environment interactions for feed efficiency, genetic associations between various performance traits (both in beef and dairy), the environmental impact of beef production, and animal health. Mechanisms implicated in young growing beef cattle include body composition, feeding behavior, and activity. Recent studies have also explored less understood processes such as intestinal cellularity and absorption, mitochondrial function, and intake regulation. However, many of these studies involved limited animal numbers, limiting the generalizability of results to broader cattle populations. Recognizing the moderate heritability of RFI, it is important to understand the potential implications of selection for (or against) this trait. In addition there is a need to shed light on issues related to RFI measurement, quantifying and discussing key biological processes contributing to inter-animal variation, repeatability, and the potential for genotype × environment interactions. Such insights are imperative for shaping future breeding and management programs, supporting the development of more sustainable beef production systems.
The necessity for accurate measurement of feed intake in national cattle evaluation systems is underscored by the inability to estimate variation in feed intake solely from knowledge of Body Weight (BW) and production level. Criteria for the standardization of feed efficiency measurements, recording, and assessment have been established to enhance regimen consistency (Beef Improvement Federation, 2010). These criteria include a feed intake measurement period of at least 70 days, preceded by a minimum acclimatization period of 21 days. Live weight is recorded on two consecutive days at the commencement and conclusion of the period, with intermittent recordings throughout. Despite these standards, recent studies have explored shorter test durations, with some reporting seemingly adequate feed intake test durations as short as 35 to 42 days. While a reduction in accuracy accompanies shorter test durations, likely influenced by diet composition and animal growth rate, the approach could cut feed intake recording costs and boost annual animal production.
Implications
With feed costs representing a substantial proportion of total expenses, achieving optimal feed efficiency becomes imperative. Residual Feed Intake (RFI) emerges as a key metric, distinguishing animals based on their ability to convert feed into body weight gain efficiently. Advanced technologies like 3D cameras and precision tools offer promising alternatives for data collection, aligning with the industry’s goals to enhance feed efficiency, akin to advancements in dairy cattle production. Amidst growing concerns related to climate change and environmental regulations, there is a heightened focus on improving feed efficiency to ensure the industry’s sustainability.
When defining and measuring feed efficiency at the individual animal level, RFI emerges as a preferred metric due to its mathematical independence of animal production levels. Despite challenges, such as genotype × environment interactions and limitations in existing models, ongoing research aims to comprehend the implications of selection for RFI and enhance breeding and management programs.
Genomic selection
Genomic selection modernizes breeding by capitalizing on information from animals’ entire genomes, moving beyond observable physical traits to examine their DNA. The Canadian Cattle Genome Project stands as a testimony to this approach, analyzing entire genomic sequences of cattle, akin to instruction manuals within their DNA. Researchers and breeders use this genetic information to create advanced genomics-based tools, identifying animals with specific traits like disease resistance, feed efficiency, and meat quality at an early stage. Unlike traditional methods relying on observable traits, these tools offer a faster and more advanced assessment of desirable genetic characteristics. These genomics-based tools empower farmers and breeders to make informed decisions on breeding and culling, saving time and reducing costs compared to traditional methods. The overarching goal is to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of beef and dairy production by integrating genetic insights into comprehensive breeding programs.
Despite challenges in integrating feed efficiency into cattle breeding, there is promise in genomically assisted selection. The substantial genetic variance of RFI positions it as a favorable candidate for genomic selection, though the lack of a standardized reference population poses challenges. Collaborative projects like the Canadian Cattle Genome Project use international DNA sequence information to develop genomics-based tools. This initiative has amassed a significant collection of bovine genome sequences, contributing immensely to ongoing efforts focused on cataloging cattle variation and enhancing traits through genotype-guided selection.
The innovative tools from this project assist farmers and breeders in identifying desirable traits early on, reducing time and costs associated with traditional breeding. Leveraging these tools enables more informed decisions, fostering more efficient and sustainable beef and dairy production. The success of breeding for enhanced feed efficiency in beef cattle hinges on overcoming challenges and seamlessly integrating genetic information into comprehensive multi-trait genomic selection breeding programs.
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