| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University and United States Department of Agriculture
Abstract
Feed efficiency measured as a function of gain in body weight and feed consumed was studied for 1,324 bull and heifer calves at three experiment stations. Three measures were computed: (1) feed consumption adjusted for differences in gain; (2) gain adjusted for differences in feed consumption; and (3) the ratio of gain to feed consumed. In all three measures, mid-weight was considered simultaneously in an attempt to remove differences in maintenance requirements.
Efficiency expressed as gain adjusted for differences in feed consumption (i.e., ±deviation from the regression of gain on consumption) was considered the most accurate mathematical description of the cause and effect relationships and resulted in the highest heritability of the three measures studied.
No trends in the heritabilities calculated for each experiment station were noted. The combined heritabilities were 0.65 for gain on test, 0.64 for feed consumed, 0.62 for gain adjusted for differences in feed consumption, 0.28 for feed consumption adjusted for differences in gain, and 0.36 for the ratio of gain to feed consumed.
A path analysis of feed efficiency (gain adjusted for feed consumption), feed consumption and gain was made. The analysis indicated that 38% of the variation in gain could be attributed directly to genetic differences in feed efficiency. Genetic differences in feed consumption accounted for 25% of the variation in gain. The remaining 37% of the variation in gain was accounted for by variations in environmental influences.
The genetic correlation between feed efficiency and gain was 0.79, between feed consumption and gain was 0.64, and between feed efficiency and feed consumption was 0.04.
These results indicate that selecting for gain should be effective and lead to both increased feed efficiency and increased feed consumption. Selecting for feed efficiency would increase feed efficiency and result in increased daily gain, but feed consumption would not be affected. Selection for feed consumption would increase feed consumption and daily gain, but would lead to no improvement in feed efficiency other than that attributable to a smaller portion of the intake being used for body maintenance.
1 Published with approval of the Director as Paper No. 1288, Journal Series, Nebraska Agriculture Experiment Station. Contribution from the North Central Regional Project NC-1, Improvement of Beef Cattle through Breeding Methods.
2 University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
3 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.
4 Beef Cattle Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Lincoln, Nebraska.
5 The authors express their appreciation to V. H. Arthaud, R. L. Davis and E. W. Schleicher for assistance in collecting the data.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  J. D. Nkrumah, E. L. Sherman, C. Li, E. Marques, D. H. Crews Jr., R. Bartusiak, B. Murdoch, Z. Wang, J. A. Basarab, and S. S. Moore Primary genome scan to identify putative quantitative trait loci for feedlot growth rate, feed intake, and feed efficiency of beef cattle J Anim Sci, December 1, 2007; 85(12): 3170 - 3181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Gilbert, J.-P. Bidanel, J. Gruand, J.-C. Caritez, Y. Billon, P. Guillouet, H. Lagant, J. Noblet, and P. Sellier Genetic parameters for residual feed intake in growing pigs, with emphasis on genetic relationships with carcass and meat quality traits J Anim Sci, December 1, 2007; 85(12): 3182 - 3188. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. D. Nkrumah, J. A. Basarab, Z. Wang, C. Li, M. A. Price, E. K. Okine, D. H. Crews Jr., and S. S. Moore Genetic and phenotypic relationships of feed intake and measures of efficiency with growth and carcass merit of beef cattle J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2711 - 2720. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. K. Kahi and H. Hirooka Effect of direct and indirect selection criteria for efficiency of gain on profitability of Japanese Black cattle selection strategies J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2401 - 2412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Roberts, S. I. Paisley, T. W. Geary, E. E. Grings, R. C. Waterman, and M. D. MacNeil Effects of restricted feeding of beef heifers during the postweaning period on growth, efficiency, and ultrasound carcass characteristics J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2740 - 2745. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. S. Hegarty, J. P. Goopy, R. M. Herd, and B. McCorkell Cattle selected for lower residual feed intake have reduced daily methane production J Anim Sci, June 1, 2007; 85(6): 1479 - 1486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M. McDonald and M. K. Nielsen Renewed selection for heat loss in mice: Direct responses and correlated responses in feed intake, body weight, litter size, and conception rate J Anim Sci, March 1, 2007; 85(3): 658 - 666. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. E. Davis and R. C. M. Simmen Genetic parameter estimates for serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations, and body weight and weight gains in Angus beef cattle divergently selected for serum insulin-like growth factor I concentration J Anim Sci, September 1, 2006; 84(9): 2299 - 2308. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. L. Ferrell, E. D. Berry, H. C. Freetly, and D. N. Miller Influence of genotype and diet on steer performance, manure odor, and carriage of pathogenic and other fecal bacteria. I. Animal performance J Anim Sci, September 1, 2006; 84(9): 2515 - 2522. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. D. Baker, J. I. Szasz, T. A. Klein, P. S. Kuber, C. W. Hunt, J. B. Glaze Jr., D. Falk, R. Richard, J. C. Miller, R. A. Battaglia, et al. Residual feed intake of purebred Angus steers: Effects on meat quality and palatability J Anim Sci, April 1, 2006; 84(4): 938 - 945. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. O. Tedeschi, D. G. Fox, M. J. Baker, and D. P. Kirschten Identifying differences in feed efficiency among group-fed cattle J Anim Sci, March 1, 2006; 84(3): 767 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M Cammack, K. A. Leymaster, T. G. Jenkins, and M. K. Nielsen Estimates of genetic parameters for feed intake, feeding behavior, and daily gain in composite ram lambs J Anim Sci, April 1, 2005; 83(4): 777 - 785. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. D. Snowder and L. D. Van Vleck Estimates of genetic parameters and selection strategies to improve the economic efficiency of postweaning growth in lambs J Anim Sci, November 1, 2003; 81(11): 2704 - 2713. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. M. Herd, J. A. Archer, and P. F. Arthur Reducing the cost of beef production through genetic improvement in residual feed intake: Opportunity and challenges to application J Anim Sci, January 1, 2003; 81(13_suppl_1): E9 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
