Author: Donald Neil Moore
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 98

View

Book Description

Author: Jason R. Bowey
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781321062939
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 73

View

Book Description
The objectives of this study were to evaluate animal performance and actual feed efficiency and how they relate to model predictions through feed allocation models. In addition, ultrasound measures, scrotal circumference, and molecular value predictions (MVP) were compiled to correlate for associations with efficiency. Six hundred forty-eight growing bulls comprised of Angus, Hereford, and percentage Simmental were placed on intake trials. Data was collected for intake, weight change, and animal performance at either 14-28 d intervals. Feed intake was also predicted with 2 biological simulation models: a) Cornell Value Discovery System and b) NRC update 2000 level 2. Observed residual feed intake (oRFI) was estimated using observed feed intake in a linear statistical model. Observed feed conversion ratio (oFCR) was estimated as observed feed intake divided by average daily gain. Observed partial efficiency of growth (oPEG) was calculated as ADG divided by the difference between dry matter intake and intake for maintenance from published standards. Observed relative growth rate (oRGR) and observed kleiber ratio (oKR) was also determined as the difference between the log of final BW and initial BW over the number of days on test and as the ratio of ADG to metabolic body weight, respectively. Each model also held a prediction for the various feed efficiency measures using feed allocation estimates and projected weight gains in their determinations. Data on feed efficiency measures on all 648 bulls, ultrasound measures and scrotal circumferences on 346 bulls, and hair samples on sixty-six half-blood Simmental bulls for a DNA analysis for MVP were collected and compiled. All data was correlated to determine relationships between feed efficiency measures, both observed and model predicted, as well as ultrasound, scrotal measures, and MVP data as they link to efficiency. Observed feed conversion ratio showed a high correlation both the CVDS FCR (cFCR, 0.769; P0.10) and the NRC FCR (nFCR, 0.847; P

Author: Samantha M. Rasmussen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 204

View

Book Description
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) methodology is being used as a means to determine genetic merit in beef cattle by interrogating animal genomes and associating the findings with performance traits. The ability to predict future trait performance is highly attractive to beef cattle producers as they can make important management and financial decisions earlier and with more certainty. To fully realize the potential of SNP testing technology the methodology must be vetted to assure producer confidence. The purpose of this project is to assess three sources of information for beef cattle trait assessment. These information sources are: SNP testing, Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) and direct animal measures. To conduct this study, young beef bulls (n = 181) consigned to the SIU Beef Evaluation Station were utilized in an 84-day period to obtain direct measures. The SIU Beef Evaluation Station uses the Calan-Broadbent confinement feeding system which allows researchers to monitor individual animal feed intake and weight gain. Feed efficiency traits are important to the cattle industry since feed is generally among the largest input cost to producers. The evaluation of bulls also assesses reproductive and carcass traits which are also important to the producer's financial success. Individual animal performance information was sent to the bull's respective breed association for determination of EPD's. Blood samples were submitted to a commercial company for SNP testing (Igentiy Gold and Igenity Beef Profile, Neogen, Lincoln, NE). Data was analyzed using pairwise comparisons by source of information. Pearson correlations were used to determine the direction and the strength for sources of information to vary together. Data was determined to be correlated when the correlation coefficient was 0.3 ≤ r ≤ −0.3. No correlation was observed between RFISIU :RFINEO (r = 0.042), RFINEO:F/GSIU (r = −0.09), RFISIU:ADGNEO (r = 0.091), RFISIU:ADGSIU (r = −0.039), RFINEO:ADGNEO (r = 0.236), BWNEO:BWSIU (r = 0.115), FRAMESIU:BWSIU (r = 0.111), FRAMESIU:BWEPD (r = 0.159), FRAMESIU:ADGSIU (r = 0.148), FRAMESIU:ADGNEO (r = -0.005), BWSIU:BWEPD (r = 0.256), and BWNEO:BWEPD (r = 0.226). Correlations were observed between RFISIU:F/GSIU (r = 0.455), ADGSIU :ADGNEO (r = 0.353), and FRAMESIU:BWNEO (r = 0.326). This study determined that beef bulls should continue to be performance tested due to discrepancies between sources of information for key animal performance traits. Assessment of SNPs used in the commercial test should continue.

Author: Rodney A. Hill
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470959525
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 328

View

Book Description
Feed Efficiency in the Beef Industry provides a thorough and concise overview of feed efficiency in beef cattle. It frames the great importance of feed efficiency to the industry and details the latest findings of the many scientific disciplines that intersect and aim to improve efficient and sustainable production of nutritious beef. The vast majority of production costs are directly tied to feed. With increased demand for grains to feed a rapidly increasing world population and to supply a new demand for alternative fuels, feed costs continue to increase. In recent years, the negative environmental impacts of inefficient feeding have also been realized; as such feed efficiency is an important factor in both economic viability and environmental sustainability of cattle production. Feed Efficiency in the Beef Industry covers a broad range of topics ranging from economic evaluation of feed efficiency to the physiological and genetic bases of efficient conversion of feed to high quality beef. Chapters also look at how a fuller understanding of feed efficiency is leading to new selective breeding efforts to develop more efficient cattle. With wide-ranging coverage from leading international researchers, Feed Efficiency will be a valuable resource for producers who wish to understand the complexities, challenges, and opportunities to reduce their cost of production, for students studying the topic and for researchers and professionals working in the beef industry.

Author: Colin G. Scanes
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351648136
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 509

View

Book Description
There is increasing interest in the biology of domestic animals ranging from genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, nutritional physiology, and systems biology. This book touches on all of these, with a particular focus on topics such as domestic animals as comparative models to humans, molecular regulation of growth, metabolic efficiency, reproduction, and the impact of stress on growth and development. The book concludes with a discussion on the current and future directions for researchers.

Author: John F. Patience
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9086867561
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

View

Book Description
'Feed efficiency in swine' has been prepared as a comprehensive treatise on the current state of our understanding of this topic which is so important to the pork industry. Each chapter is written by international authorities who understand both the science and application of their topic area. The book provides detailed insight into the many factors affecting feed efficiency, ranging from diet processing to herd health, from nutrition to physiology and from day-to-day barn management to the adoption of advanced technologies. The authors explain such practical aspects as the challenge of interpreting feed efficiency information obtained on farm or the role of liquid feeding. The authors also delve into more scientific topics such as amino acid or energy metabolism or animal physiology. This book is written for people who have a technical interest in pork production, including nutritionists, geneticists, farm management specialists, veterinarians, other academics and, of course, pork producers.

Author: Claudia Kamphuis
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9086868290
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 459

View

Book Description
The supply of new innovative precision dairy farming technologies is steadily increasing. It aims to help farmers to be more labour efficient and to support them in their daily management decisions. At the same time, since many technologies are developed from an engineering perspective, adoption of these technologies is sometimes limited since knowledge on economic benefits and farmers' needs is often incomplete. This book covers the current status of precision dairy farming technologies and what farmers expect from them. It also includes insights and future perspectives on managing, analysing, and combining sensor information. Moreover, new innovative ideas that may better fit farmers' needs and expectation are introduced, ranging from technologies or innovations that aim at improved animal health and welfare, to those technologies that result in a more efficient use of feed and improved grazing management. This book is unique because science and engineering are combined to develop precision dairy farming technologies that are to be applied in practice. The book will serve as a stepping stone for new and innovative ideas within this rapidly growing area within dairy farming.

Author: Malia J. Caputo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

View

Book Description
Feed is the single greatest expense on a dairy farm, representing approximately half the cost of dairy production over the last ten years. Increasing feed efficiency can reduce feed costs while maintaining milk production levels, improving profitability and sustainability of dairy production. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency that represents the unexplained variation in feed intake after accounting for known energy sinks (i.e., milk energy output, body size, body weight change) within a group of cows managed similarly. Dry matter intake (DMI) is required to determine RFI, yet it is labor intensive and cost prohibitive to collect on most privately-owned dairies. Accurate prediction models of DMI could replace physical measurement, allowing for phenotypic feed efficiency determination on privately-owned dairies. When comparing multiple predictive approaches, traditional linear regression approaches performed as well as, or better than, more advanced techniques. Incorporation of behavioral sensor variables, but not blood metabolites, improved models of DMI, representing an opportunity to improve current models of DMI. Deeper understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to variation in feed efficiency would provide further insight into genetic selection for feed efficiency and can lead to the development of management and nutrition strategies to improve feed efficiency. Postpartum health may influence RFI, given the relationship with energy balance; however, no relationship exists between postpartum health disorders and same-lactation RFI, indicating that genetically selecting for RFI will not inadvertently select for negative health outcomes. Post-absorptive nutrient metabolism was previously identified in beef cattle as a source of variation in RFI, but was not investigated in lactating dairy cows. Between cows divergent in RFI, the blood circulating profile of metabolites differed, indicating differences in fatty acid or amino acid oxidation and providing evidence that post-absorptive nutrient metabolism is a source of variation in RFI of dairy cows. Differences in liver tissue pathways related to oxidative stress, cell cycling, and immune function, and differences in muscle fatty acid and glucose metabolism were identified, suggesting tissue-specific differences that contribute to variation in RFI. This dissertation details deeper understanding of post-absorptive nutrient metabolism as a source of variation in RFI, and ongoing effort will contribute to improving the feed efficiency of the dairy breed, which could have measurable impacts profitability and sustainability of dairy production.

Author: Amos Paul Kennedy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef cattle
Languages : en
Pages : 92

View

Book Description

Author: Dixon D. Hubbard
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Beef
Languages : en
Pages : 84

View

Book Description