Potential for selection to improve efficiency of feed use in beef cattle: a review

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Archer ◽  
E. C. Richardson ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
P. F. Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Production System ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Improve Efficiency ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values

Evidence for genetic variation in feed efficiency of beef cattle is reviewed in this paper, and ways in which this variation might be used in selection programs to improve beef cattle in Australia are discussed. Efficiency of beef production systems is determined by feed and other inputs of all classes of animals in the production system as well as outputs in terms of slaughter progeny and cull cows. Different indices have been used to express aspects of efficiency on cattle over certain periods of the production cycle. Use of these indices is discussed, and then evidence for genetic variation in both growing animals and mature animals is reviewed. Genetic variation in feed efficiency exists in both growing and mature cattle, although information is lacking to determine whether variation in total production system efficiency exists. The physiological basis for observed variation in feed efficiency is discussed, with differences in requirements for maintenance, body composition, proportions of visceral organs, level of physical activity, and digestion efficiency identified as possible sources of variation. Selection to improve efficiency might be achieved by measuring feed intake of growing animals and utilising genetic correlations that are likely to exist between efficiency of growing animals and mature animals. Measurement of feed intake might occur in central test stations, or methods may be developed to measure feed intake on-farm. Ways of utilising information generated in genetic evaluations are discussed, and it is concluded that estimated breeding values for feed intake after a phenotypic adjustment for growth performance would be most practical, although not theoretically optimal. Such estimated breeding values would best be used in an economic selection index to account for genetic correlations with other traits, including feed intake of the breeding herd, and the economic value of feed in relation to other traits. Future research should be directed towards understanding the genetic relationships between feed intake and other traits in the breeding objective, and to find ways to reduce the cost of measurement of feed intake, including a search for genetic markers.

Genetic variation in net feed efficiency in Hereford cattle and its association with other production traits

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 47-47
Author(s):  
R.M. Herd ◽  
S.C. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Performance Measurements ◽  
Hereford Cattle ◽  
Rate Selection

Net feed efficiency refers to variation in feed consumption between animals net of requirements for maintenance and production, and may be measured as residual feed intake (RFI). Because RFI is independent of liveweight (LW) and growth rate, selection for improved net feed efficiency is likely to reduce feed intake with little change in growth. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there exists genetic variation in RFI in young British Hereford bulls, and to determine the phenotypic and genetic correlations of RFI with key production traits.The data consisted of performance measurements on 540 bull progeny of 154 British Hereford sires, collected over ten 200-day postweaning performance tests conducted between 1979 and 1988. The traits analysed were food intake (FI), 200 to 400-day daily gain (ADG), 400-day weight (W400), predicted carcass lean content (LEAN), lean growth rate (LGR), food conversion ratio (FI/ADG) and lean FCR (LFCR; FI/(ADG x LEAN), described by Bishop (1992).

Metabolic differences in Angus steers divergently selected for residual feed intake

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Richardson ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
J. A. Archer ◽  
P. F. Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Aspartate Aminotransferase ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Total Plasma Protein ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values ◽  
Animal House

Residual feed intake measures variation in feed intake independent of liveweight and liveweight gain. First generation steer progeny (n = 33) of parents previously selected for low or high post-weaning residual feed intake were examined to determine metabolic processes contributing to variation in residual feed intake. Blood samples were taken from the steers from weaning through to slaughter. These samples were analysed for key metabolites and hormones. Total urine and total faecal collections were taken from the steers in an animal-house experiment to estimate dry matter digestibility, microbial protein production and protein turnover. At weaning, there were phenotypic correlations between concentrations in plasma of β-hydroxy butyrate (r = 0.55, P<0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.34; P<0.001), urea (r = 0.26, P<0.1) and total plasma protein (r = 0.26, P<0.1), and subsequent residual feed intake over the whole experiment (feedlot plus animal-house phases), but no evidence of associations with genetic variation in residual feed intake. At the start of the feedlot residual feed intake test period plasma levels of glucose, creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase were correlated with residual feed intake over the experiment (r = 0.40, –0.45 and 0.43, respectively, P<0.05), providing evidence of phenotypic associations with residual feed intake, and concentrations of urea and triglycerides were correlated with sire estimated breeding values for residual feed intake (b = 1.20 and –0.08, respectively, P<0.05), providing evidence for genetic associations with residual feed intake. At the end of the experiment, concentrations of plasma insulin, cortisol and leptin were correlated with residual feed intake over the experiment (r = 0.43, –0.40 and 0.31, respectively, P<0.05). Plasma concentrations of urea, insulin and cortisol illustrated trends for an association with sire estimated breeding values for RFI (b = –0.35, 0.98 and 12.19, respectively, P<0.1). The ratio of allantoin : creatinine in urine, as a measure of rumen microbial production, tended to be correlated with residual feed intake in the animal house (r�=�0.32, P<0.1) but not with residual feed intake over the entire experiment (r = 0.10, P>0.05). Neither the ratio of 3-methyl histidine : creatinine in urine, as a measure of rate of muscle breakdown, nor the dry matter digestibility measured in the animal house were correlated with residual feed intake in the animal house (r = 0.04, P>0.05), or residual feed intake over the whole experiment (r = –0.22, P>0.05), and neither were associated with genetic variation in residual feed intake.It is hypothesised that high-RFI (low-efficiency) steers have higher tissue energy requirements, are more susceptible to stress and utilise different tissue substrates (partly as a consequence of differences in body composition) to generate energy required in response to exposure to a stressful stimulus.

scholarly journals Enhancing Sustainability of Cattle Production Systems through Discovery of Biomarkers for Feed Efficiency

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arieh Brosh ◽  
Gordon Carstens ◽  
Kristen Johnson ◽  
Ariel Shabtay ◽  
Joshuah Miron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Effective Selection

Feed inputs represent the largest variable cost of producing meat and milk from ruminant animals. Thus, strategies that improve the efficiency of feed utilization are needed to improve the global competitiveness of Israeli and U.S. cattle industries, and mitigate their environmental impact through reductions in nutrient excretions and greenhouse gas emissions. Implementation of innovative technologies that will enhance genetic merit for feed efficiency is arguably one of the most cost-effective strategies to meet future demands for animal-protein foods in an environmentally sustainable manner. While considerable genetic variation in feed efficiency exist within cattle populations, the expense of measuring individual-animal feed intake has precluded implementation of selection programs that target this trait. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a trait that quantifies between-animal variation in feed intake beyond that expected to meet energy requirements for maintenance and production, with efficient animals being those that eat less than expected for a given size and level of production. There remains a critical need to understand the biological drivers for genetic variation in RFI to facilitate development of effective selection programs in the future. Therefore, the aim of this project was to determine the biological basis for phenotypic variation in RFI of growing and lactating cattle, and discover metabolic biomarkers of RFI for early and more cost-effective selection of cattle for feed efficiency. Objectives were to: (1) Characterize the phenotypic relationships between RFI and production traits (growth or lactation), (2) Quantify inter-animal variation in residual HP, (3) Determine if divergent RFIphenotypes differ in HP, residual HP, recovered energy and digestibility, and (4) Determine if divergent RFI phenotypes differ in physical activity, feeding behavior traits, serum hormones and metabolites and hepatic mitochondrial traits. The major research findings from this project to date include: In lactating dairy cattle, substantial phenotypic variation in RFI was demonstrated as cows classified as having low RMEI consumed 17% less MEI than high-RMEI cows despite having similar body size and lactation productivity. Further, between-animal variation in RMEI was found to moderately associated with differences in RHP demonstrating that maintenance energy requirements contribute to observed differences in RFI. Quantifying energetic efficiency of dairy cows using RHP revealed that substantial changes occur as week of lactation advances—thus it will be critical to measure RMEI at a standardized stage of lactation. Finally, to determine RMEI in lactating dairy cows, individual DMI and production data should be collected for a minimum of 6 wk. We demonstrated that a favorably association exists between RFI in growing heifers and efficiency of forage utilization in pregnant cows. Therefore, results indicate that female progeny from parents selected for low RFI during postweaning development will also be efficient as mature females, which has positive implications for both dairy and beef cattle industries. Results from the beef cattle studies further extend our knowledge regarding the biological drivers of phenotypic variation in RFI of growing animals, and demonstrate that significant differences in feeding behavioral patterns, digestibility and heart rate exist between animals with divergent RFI. Feeding behavior traits may be an effective biomarker trait for RFI in beef and dairy cattle. There are differences in mitochondrial acceptor control and respiratory control ratios between calves with divergent RFI suggesting that variation in mitochondrial metabolism may be visible at the genome level. Multiple genes associated with mitochondrial energy processes are altered by RFI phenotype and some of these genes are associated with mitochondrial energy expenditure and major cellular pathways involved in regulation of immune responses and energy metabolism.

Genetic correlations between female fertility and postweaning growth and feed efficiency traits in multibreed beef cattle

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Mu ◽  
G. Vander Voort ◽  
M.K. Abo-Ismail ◽  
R. Ventura ◽  
J. Jamrozik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Fertility Traits

With selection in beef cattle now incorporating feed efficiency, knowing the relationship with other traits is needed. Genetic relationships were estimated with an animal model in ASReml with a three-generation pedigree inclusive of 2882 animals. Multibreed data from two Ontario beef research farms with fertility traits were available on 1366 females and postweaning traits, including feed efficiency on 1297 individuals. Estimates of heritability for fertility traits were low to moderate ranging from 0.03 ± 0.01 for pregnancy rate to 0.21 ± 0.02 for gestation length, and postweaning traits were moderate to high with feed conversion ratio at 0.22 ± 0.06 to mid-metabolic weight at 0.89 ± 0.01. Both dry matter intake and mid-metabolic weight were genetically correlated with most fertility traits from −0.52 to 0.34. The genetic correlation between average daily gain and days to calving was moderately negative (–0.33 ± 0.16) as was residual feed intake with days to calving (–0.34 ± 0.17). Bigger cows with more feed intake and faster growth were more fertile, and residual feed intake had an unfavorable genetic correlation with days to calving, indicating that programs to select for feed efficiency should include fertility simultaneously in a selection index.

Accuracy of predicting genomic breeding values for residual feed intake in Angus and Charolais beef cattle

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Chen ◽  
F. Schenkel ◽  
M. Vinsky ◽  
D. H. Crews ◽  
C. Li
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Genomic Breeding ◽  
Breeding Values

scholarly journals RAPID COMMUNICATION: Residual feed intake in beef cattle is associated with differences in protein turnover and nutrient transporters in ruminal epithelium

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 2181-2187
Author(s):  
Ahmed A Elolimy ◽  
Emad Abdel-Hamied ◽  
Liangyu Hu ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
Daniel W Shike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Protein Degradation ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Protein Turnover ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Ruminal Epithelium

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is a widely used measure of feed efficiency in cattle. Although the precise biologic mechanisms associated with improved feed efficiency are not well-known, most-efficient steers (i.e., with low RFI coefficient) downregulate abundance of proteins controlling protein degradation in skeletal muscle. Whether cellular mechanisms controlling protein turnover in ruminal tissue differ by RFI classification is unknown. The aim was to investigate associations between RFI and signaling through the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways in ruminal epithelium. One hundred and forty-nine Red Angus cattle were allocated to 3 contemporary groups according to sex and herd origin. Animals were offered a finishing diet for 70 d to calculate the RFI coefficient for each. Within each group, the 2 most-efficient (n = 6) and least-efficient animals (n = 6) were selected. Compared with least-efficient animals, the most-efficient animals consumed less feed (P &lt; 0.05; 18.36 vs. 23.39 kg/d DMI). At day 70, plasma samples were collected for insulin concentration analysis. Ruminal epithelium was collected immediately after slaughter to determine abundance and phosphorylation status of 29 proteins associated with MTOR, ubiquitin-proteasome, insulin signaling, and glucose and amino acid transport. Among the proteins involved in cellular protein synthesis, most-efficient animals had lower (P ≤ 0.05) abundance of MTOR, p-MTOR, RPS6KB1, EIF2A, EEF2K, AKT1, and RPS6KB1, whereas MAPK3 tended (P = 0.07) to be lower. In contrast, abundance of p-EEF2K, p-EEF2K:EEF2K, and p-EIF2A:EIF2A in most-efficient animals was greater (P ≤ 0.05). Among proteins catalyzing steps required for protein degradation, the abundance of UBA1, NEDD4, and STUB1 was lower (P ≤ 0.05) and MDM2 tended (P = 0.06) to be lower in most-efficient cattle. Plasma insulin and ruminal epithelium insulin signaling proteins did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) between RFI groups. However, abundance of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter SLC2A4 and the amino acid transporters SLC1A3 and SLC1A5 also was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in most-efficient cattle. Overall, the data indicate that differences in signaling mechanisms controlling protein turnover and nutrient transport in ruminal epithelium are components of feed efficiency in beef cattle.

scholarly journals PSVIII-38 Late-Breaking Abstract: Estimating genetic parameters of feed efficiency traits in American mink

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 347-347
Author(s):  
Pourya Davoudi ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Siavash Salek Ardestani ◽  
Younes Miar
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Feed cost is the major input cost in the mink industry and thus improvement of feed efficiency through selection for high feed efficient mink is necessary for the mink farmers. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations for different feed efficiency measures, including final body weight (FBW), daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). For this purpose, 1,088 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research at Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture were recorded for daily feed intake and body weight from August 1 to November 14 in 2018 and 2019. The univariate models were used to test the significance of sex, birth year and color as fixed effects, and dam as a random effect. Genetic parameters were estimated via bivariate models using ASReml-R version 4. Estimates of heritabilities (±SE) were 0.41±0.10, 0.37±0.11, 0.33±0.14, 0.24±0.09 and 0.22±0.09 for FBW, DFI, ADG, FCR and RFI, respectively. The genetic correlation (±SE) was moderate to high between FCR and RFI (0.68±0.15) and between FCR and ADG (-0.86±0.06). In addition, RFI had low non-significant (P &gt; 0.05) genetic correlations with ADG (0.04 ± 0.26) and BW (0.16 ± 0.24) but significant (P &lt; 0.05) high genetic correlation with DFI (0.74 ± 0.11) indicating that selection for lower RFI will reduce feed intake without adverse effects on the animal size and growth rate. The results suggested that RFI can be implemented in genetic/genomic selection programs to reduce feed intake in the mink production system.

Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates between production, feed intake, feed efficiency, body weight and linear type traits in first lactation Holsteins

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Kennedy ◽  
J. C. M. Dekkers ◽  
R. K. Moore ◽  
L. Jairath
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Total Energy Intake ◽  
Type Traits

Production and feed intake data on 36 115 first lactation Holstein cows obtained from Quebec Dairy Herd Analysis Service were combined with conformation data from the Holstein Association of Canada to estimate genetic correlations among production, energy intake, and conformation traits. Traits considered were 305-d milk yield, 305-d grain energy and total energy intake, feed efficiency (fat corrected milk yield/total energy intake), body weight at calving, capacity, size, stature, rump width and final score. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated using Restricted Maximum Likelihood based on two-trait animal mixed model analyses. The model contained fixed effects of herd-year, season of calving, age of calving, sire group and a random animal genetic effect. Estimates of heritability were within the published range for all traits. Of the conformation traits examined, capacity, size and stature had the highest correlations with body weight, with phenotypic correlations between 0.36 and 0.43, and genetic correlations between 0.61 and 0.79. Feed efficiency was negatively correlated to all body size measures, both phenotypically (−0.01 to −0.29) and genetically (−0.31 to −0.53), but most significantly with body weight, capacity, size, and stature. Fat-corrected milk yield showed negligible phenotypic and low to moderately negative genetic (−0.07 to −0.29) correlations with body weight and related type traits. Total energy intake was positively related to all measures of body size, most notably body weight, while grain energy intake had moderately negative genetic correlations (−0.20 to −0.40) with the same body size traits. Because of their detrimental relationships with feed efficiency, negative selection emphasis should be placed on body weight and the related type traits capacity, size and stature. Capacity, size and stature are of moderate utility when selecting indirectly for body weight, total energy intake and feed efficiency. Key words: Dairy cattle, genetics, production, conformation, feed efficiency

scholarly journals Potential exists to change, through breeding, the yield of individual primal carcass cuts in cattle without increasing overall carcass weight1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 2769-2779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M Judge ◽  
Thierry Pabiou ◽  
Jessica Murphy ◽  
Stephen B Conroy ◽  
P J Hegarty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values ◽  
Coefficient Of Genetic Variation ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Carcass Cuts

Abstract The ability to alter the morphology of cattle towards greater yields of higher value primal cuts has the potential to increase the value of animals at slaughter. Using weight records of 14 primal cuts from 31,827 cattle, the objective of the present study was to quantify the extent of genetic variability in these primal cuts; also of interest was the degree of genetic variability in the primal cuts adjusted to a common carcass weight. Variance components were estimated for each primal cut using animal linear mixed models. The coefficient of genetic variation in the different primal cuts ranged from 0.05 (bavette) to 0.10 (eye of round) with a mean coefficient of genetic variation of 0.07. When phenotypically adjusted to a common carcass weight, the coefficient of genetic variation of the primal cuts was lesser ranging from 0.02 to 0.07 with a mean of 0.04. The heritability of the 14 primal cuts ranged from 0.14 (bavette) to 0.75 (topside) with a mean heritability across all cuts of 0.48; the heritability estimates reduced, and ranged from 0.12 (bavette) to 0.56 (topside), when differences in carcass weight were accounted for in the statistical model. Genetic correlations between each primal cut and carcass weight were all ≥0.77; genetic correlations between each primal cut and carcass conformation score were, on average, 0.59 but when adjusted to a common carcass weight, the correlations weakened to, on average, 0.27. The genetic correlations among all 14 primal cut weights was, on average, strong (mean correlation of 0.72 with all correlations being ≥0.37); when adjusted to a common carcass weight, the mean of the genetic correlations among all primal cuts was 0.10. The ability of estimated breeding values for a selection of primal cuts to stratify animals phenotypically on the respective cut weight was demonstrated; the weight of the rump, striploin, and fillet of animals estimated to be in the top 25% genetically for the respective cut, were 10 to 24%, 12 to 24%, and 7 to 17% heavier than the weight of cuts from animals predicted to be in the worst 25% genetically for that cut. Significant exploitable genetic variability in primal carcass cuts was clearly evident even when adjusted to a common carcass weight. The high heritability of many of the primal cuts infers that large datasets are not actually required to achieve high accuracy of selection once the structure of the data and the number of progeny per sire is adequate.

Genetic variation within and between subpopulations of the Australian Merino breed

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew A. Swan ◽  
Daniel J. Brown ◽  
Julius H. J. van der Werf
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Variance Components ◽  
Additive Genetic Variance ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Genetic Group ◽  
Additive Variance ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Australian Merino

Genetic variation within and between Australian Merino subpopulations was estimated from a large breeding nucleus in which up to 8500 progeny from over 300 sires were recorded at eight sites across Australia. Subpopulations were defined as genetic groups using the Westell–Quaas model in which base animals with unknown pedigree were allocated to groups based on their flock of origin if there were sufficient ‘expressions’ for the flock, or to one of four broad sheep-type groups otherwise (Ultra/Superfine, Fine/Fine-medium, Medium/Strong, or unknown). Linear models including genetic groups and additive genetic breeding values as random effects were used to estimate variance components for 12 traits: yearling greasy and clean fleece weight (ygfw and ycfw), yearling mean and coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (yfd and ydcv), yearling staple length and staple strength (ysl and yss), yearling fibre curvature (ycuv), yearling body wrinkle (ybdwr), post-weaning weight (pwt), muscle (pemd) and fat depth (pfat), and post-weaning worm egg count (pwec). For the majority of traits, the genetic group variance ranged from approximately equal to two times larger than the additive genetic (within group) variance. The exceptions were pfat and ydcv where the genetic group to additive variance ratios were 0.58 and 0.22, respectively, and pwec and yss where there was no variation between genetic groups. Genetic group correlations between traits were generally the same sign as corresponding additive genetic correlations, but were stronger in magnitude (either more positive or more negative). These large differences between genetic groups have long been exploited by Merino ram breeders, to the extent that the animals in the present study represent a significantly admixed population of the founding groups. The relativities observed between genetic group and additive genetic variance components in this study can be used to refine the models used to estimate breeding values for the Australian Merino industry.

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