Divergent breeding values for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 1. Pregnancy rates of heifers differed between fat lines and were affected by weight and fat

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. Jones ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
J. F. Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cooperative Research ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
In Pregnancy

The pregnancy rate of heifers affects the efficiency and profitability of beef herds. Heifers extreme in rib fatness (Fat) or post-weaning residual feed intake (RFI) estimated breeding values (EBVs) were evaluated for their pregnancy rates at two locations in the southern agricultural regions of Australia (Struan and Vasse) as part of the Beef Cooperative Research Centre Maternal Productivity Project. Heifers divergent in Fat (High-Fat and Low-Fat) had differences in fat depth pre-joining at the 12/13th rib (4.4 mm vs 3.5 mm) and P8 rump site (6.1 mm vs 4.8 mm). This was associated with significant differences in pregnancy rates over a 9-week joining period (91.5% vs 83.0%) and an even larger difference when calculated over a 6-week joining period (77.3% vs 65.0%). Heifers divergent in RFI (Vasse only) also differed in rib fat (7.6 mm vs 6.4 mm) and P8 fat (11.0 vs 9.2 mm), but not significantly in pregnancy rates between the two RFI (High-RFI and Low-RFI) genotypes following a 9-week (92.4% vs 88.5%) or 6-week (81.2% vs 73.7%) joining period. The phenotypic analysis of the Fat and RFI heifers together indicated that weight and fat depth were the largest contributing factors to variation in pregnancy rates, and age and pre-joining weight gain were not significant. These phenotypic characteristics indicated that producers can manage heifers to particular weight and fat combinations to improve heifer conception rates. Associations of BREEDPLAN EBVs with heifer fertility showed that a shorter days-to-calving EBV had the biggest impact (P < 0.001) on heifer pregnancy rates and rib fat and scrotal size EBVs were close to significant (P < 0.10).

Divergent genotypes for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 2. Body composition but not reproduction was affected in first-parity cows on both low and high levels of nutrition

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Laurence ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
J. F. Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Cooperative Research ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Selection For

This paper reports a subset of results from the Beef Cooperative Research Centre-funded Maternal Productivity Project. This research aimed to describe the response of Angus cows of different and divergent genotypes to variable nutritional environments over five breeding seasons. Cows selected for a divergence in either fat depth (HFat vs LFat) or residual feed intake (RFI: HRFI vs LRFI) based on mid-parent estimated breeding values (EBV) for those traits were allocated in replicate groups to either high or low nutritional treatments at two different sites, namely the Vasse Research Centre in Western Australia and the Struan Research Centre in South Australia. The traits reported in this paper include output traits (birth and weaning weight of calves, liveweight change of cows), change traits (change in Rib Fat, P8 fat, eye muscle area and liveweight between specified time points) and reproductive traits [pregnancy rates, percentage calves born alive and days to calving at the days to calving at the second calving opportunity (DC2)]. Having had their first calf, the vulnerability of these young cows to nutritional restriction and how it may adversely affect rebreeding was examined. HFat and HRFI cows were fatter, heavier and had greater eye muscle area than LFat and LRFI, respectively, at all times during the breeding cycle on both levels of nutrition. There was no difference in either days-to-calving or pregnancy rates after the second mating between genotypes. Equally, nutritional treatment had no effect on these traits in this cohort of cows. There was evidence for an implied genetic correlation between Rib Fat EBV, DC2 and pregnancy rates of –0.38 that suggests that selection for leanness may result in reduced fertility of the herd but the effect was not significant herein. As long as producers record the phenotype for both traits and select cows with favourable DC2 as well as low fatness, these problems can be avoided, owing to only 22% of variation in pregnancy rates being explained by DC2 and Rib Fat EBV. Producers can largely be confident that selection for leanness, or increased feed efficiency, has little impact on productivity as long as cows are in adequate body condition to remain healthy and productive.

Divergent genotypes for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 7. Low-fat and low-RFI cows produce more liveweight and better gross margins than do high-fat and high-RFI cows when managed under the same conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
L. Anderton ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
M. L. Hebart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

The present paper focuses on the economic evaluation of the observed differences in maternal productivity of different genetic lines in Angus cattle that were managed under contrasting nutritional regimes typical of southern Australia. Five hundred Angus cows were managed concurrently at two locations in southern Australia. On each site, the cows were managed under the following two different nutritional treatments: High and Low, to simulate different stocking rates. Cows selected for a divergence in either carcass rib-fat depth or residual feed intake based on mid-parent estimated breeding values for those traits, were allocated in replicate groups to either High- or Low-nutrition treatments. By design, the supplementary feeding regime was the same for the High and Low genetic lines to ensure genetic differences were not confounded with management differences. Animal productivity results from the experiment were used as input data to evaluate the economic performance of the four genetic lines under the two nutritional treatments. Two methods were used; the first was a gross-margin calculation of income minus variable costs as AU$ per breeding cow for a 1000-cow herd; the second was a whole-farm linear programming model maximising the gross margin. Stocking rates were optimised by matching the energy requirements for the whole herd with the energy available from pasture and supplementary feed on a representative 700-ha farm. Using the two methods of calculating gross margin (per cow and optimised per hectare), including examination of sensitivity to changes in prices of cattle and supplementary feed, the present study demonstrated that genetically leaner cows due to selection of low fat or low residual feed intake, had gross margins superior to those of genetically fatter cows. They generated more income by selling more liveweight due to heavier weights and higher stocking rates. The results are affected by the management system utilised and some confounding with growth (leaner genetic lines had higher growth estimated breeding values), but will assist producers to make more informed decisions about how to manage animal breeding and nutritional interactions.

Divergent breeding values for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 4. Fat EBVs’ influence on fatness fluctuation and supplementary feeding requirements

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
M. L. Hebart ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Genetic Line ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Supplementary Feed

The productivity of 500 Angus cows, divergently selected for either rib fat or residual feed intake (RFI) based on BREEDPLAN estimated breeding values (EBVs) and managed under two levels of nutrition (stocking rates), was evaluated. The study examined the effects of genetic line, nutrition and weaning history on profiles for weight, rib fat depth, fatness (rib fat depth adjusted for weight) and supplementary feed requirements from just before the first joining as heifers through to the weaning of their third calf. Cows gained both weight and fat as they grew older. Observed fluctuations in weight and rib fat depth, within each year, were associated with pasture availability and physiological demands. Cows that did not wean a calf in a given year became heavier and fatter than cows that did; and they remained so when they calved the following year. High-fat and High-RFI were always fatter and lighter than Low-fat and Low-RFI cows, respectively. The difference in rib fat and fatness between High- and Low-RFI lines (P < 0.001) was similar to, although slightly greater than, the difference between High- and Low-fat lines (P = 0.048) reflecting differences in rib fat EBVs between High-RFI (3.2 ± 1.47) and Low-RFI (–0.7 ± 1.3) compared with High-fat (1.1 ± 0.78) and Low-fat (–1.4 ± 0.67). Cows on High-Nutrition were heavier and fatter than those on Low-Nutrition (P < 0.001) but there were no significant interactions between genetic line and nutrition (P > 0.05). Supplementary feeding threshold was reached earlier by Low-fat and Low-RFI cows than their counterparts. Calculations based on the data in the present paper estimate that if cows lose condition at a rapid rate (1 condition score/month), then a cow with an extra 1 mm rib fat EBV would take 7.5 days longer to reach the same supplementary feeding threshold. Fat EBVs can, therefore, be a useful tool in assisting beef producers to match genotype to their production system.

Divergent breeding values for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 6. Dam-line impacts on steer carcass compliance

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
J. F. Graham ◽  
S. J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Weight ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
High Fat ◽  
The South ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values

The present study determined the impact of maternal genetics for estimated breeding values for rib fat (High-Fat, Low-Fat) or residual feed intake (RFI; High-RFI, Low-RFI) on the carcass compliance of Angus steer progeny when reared pre-weaning under High or Low-Nutrition and post-weaning under various finishing system (grazing versus short-term feedlot). The dams were joined to sires of similar genetic background (close to average estimated breeding values) and sires were rotated among all dam genotypes, with herds located at either Struan Research Centre, near Naracoorte in the south-east of South Australia, or Vasse Research Station, in the south-west of Western Australia. The breeding herd was part of the Beef CRC maternal productivity project and cows were managed under either High or Low-Nutrition, achieved by adjustments to stocking rate in rotational grazing systems and supplementary feeding, so as to maintain ~20% difference in cow liveweight. The steer progeny were weaned at ~7 months of age, with individuals from both pre-weaning nutritional treatments being treated the same from then on at each site. Steers from Struan Research Centre in South Australia born in 2008 and 2009 were sold and grown out on pasture on a local commercial property. Steer calves born in 2010 at Vasse remained on the station where they were backgrounded on hay, followed by a short period (111 days) total mixed ration containing 40% grain. In the first year, steers from Struan (n = 58) were slaughtered together at ~2 years of age, and in the second year (n = 85), consigned to six slaughter groups as their ultrasound-scanned subcutaneous P8 (rump) fat reached 7 mm and their liveweight exceeded 550 kg. Steers from Vasse (n = 101) were slaughtered at ~12 months of age, all on the same day. High-Fat-line dams produced steers with carcasses with greater P8 fat than did Low-Fat-line dams at both sites. At Struan, when the 2008-born steers were slaughtered together, more steers from Low-Fat dams failed to meet minimum fat specifications, than steers from High-Fat dams (28% vs 9% respectively). The steers born in 2009 at Struan all met processor fat specifications but steers from the Low-Fat dams took longer to reach the fat threshold, and so had greater carcass weight, but attracted more price penalties because of increased dentition. All steers from Vasse met minimum requirements for fat, with none penalised for dentition. Vasse steers from High- or Low-RFI dams performed in a manner similar to that from High- and Low-Fat dams, respectively, in that the High-RFI group produced fatter carcasses than did the Low-RFI group. Steers reared under low pre-weaning nutrition weighed less at weaning than did those on High-Nutrition, but had higher weight gains after weaning, although insufficient to result in the same carcass weight. The results showed that commercial cattle producers need to be aware of the balance and trade-off among fat breeding value, effect of pre-weaning nutrition and post-weaning growth required to ensure their cattle meet market specifications and to avoid price penalties.

Accuracy of predicting genomic breeding values for residual feed intake in Angus and Charolais beef cattle1

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (10) ◽  
pp. 4669-4678 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Chen ◽  
F. Schenkel ◽  
M. Vinsky ◽  
D. H. Crews ◽  
C. Li
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Genomic Breeding ◽  
Breeding Values

scholarly journals Simultaneous Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters for curves of weight, feed intake and residual feed intake in beef cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Esfandyari ◽  
Just Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Test Period ◽  
Random Regression ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Covariance Functions

Abstract Rate of gain and feed efficiency are important traits in most breeding programs for growing farm animals. Rate of gain (GAIN) is usually expressed over a certain age period and feed efficiency is often expressed as residual feed intake (RFI), defined as observed feed intake (FI) minus expected feed intake based on live weight (WGT) and GAIN. However, the basic traits recorded are always WGT and FI and other traits are derived from these basic records. The aim of this study was to develop a procedure for simultaneous analysis of the basic records and then derive linear traits related to feed efficiency without retorting to any approximations. A bivariate longitudinal random regression model was employed on 13,791 individual longitudinal records of WGT and FI from 2,827 bulls of six different beef breeds tested for own performance in the period from 7 to 13 months of age. Genetic and permanent environmental covariance functions for curves of WGT and FI were estimated using Gibbs sampling. Genetic and permanent covariance functions for curves of GAIN were estimated from the first derivative of the function for WGT and finally the covariance functions were extended to curves for RFI, based on the conditional distribution of FI given WGT and GAIN. Furthermore, the covariance functions were extended to include GAIN and RFI defined over different periods of the performance test. These periods included the whole test period as normally used when predicting breeding values for GAIN and RFI for beef bulls. Based on the presented method, breeding values and genetic parameters for derived traits such as GAIN and RFI defined longitudinally or integrated over (parts of) of the test period can be obtained from a joint analysis of the basic records. The resulting covariance functions for WGT, FI, GAIN and RFI are usually singular but the method presented here do not suffer from the estimation problems associated with defining these traits individually before the genetic analysis. All results are thus estimated simultaneously, and the set of parameters are consistent.

Expression of candidate genes for residual feed intake in Angus cattle

2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Al-Husseini ◽  
C. Gondro ◽  
K. Quinn ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
J. P. Gibson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Angus Cattle

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 New residual feed intake criterion for longitudinal data

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid David ◽  
Van-Hung Huynh Tran ◽  
Hélène Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Regression Model ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Regression Coefficients ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Heritability Estimates

Abstract Background Residual feed intake (RFI) is one measure of feed efficiency, which is usually obtained by multiple regression of feed intake (FI) on measures of production, body weight gain and tissue composition. If phenotypic regression is used, the resulting RFI is generally not genetically independent of production traits, whereas if RFI is computed using genetic regression coefficients, RFI and production traits are independent at the genetic level. The corresponding regression coefficients can be easily derived from the result of a multiple trait model that includes FI and production traits. However, this approach is difficult to apply in the case of multiple repeated measurements of FI and production traits. To overcome this difficulty, we used a structured antedependence approach to account for the longitudinality of the data with a phenotypic regression model or with different genetic and environmental regression coefficients [multi- structured antedependence model (SAD) regression model]. Results After demonstrating the properties of RFI obtained by the multi-SAD regression model, we applied the two models to FI and production traits that were recorded for 2435 French Large White pigs over a 10-week period. Heritability estimates were moderate with both models. With the multi-SAD regression model, heritability estimates were quite stable over time, ranging from 0.14 ± 0.04 to 0.16 ± 0.05, while heritability estimates showed a U-shaped profile with the phenotypic regression model (ranging from 0.19 ± 0.06 to 0.28 ± 0.06). Estimates of genetic correlations between RFI at different time points followed the same pattern for the two models but higher estimates were obtained with the phenotypic regression model. Estimates of breeding values that can be used for selection were obtained by eigen-decomposition of the genetic covariance matrix. Correlations between these estimated breeding values obtained with the two models ranged from 0.66 to 0.83. Conclusions The multi-SAD model is preferred for the genetic analysis of longitudinal RFI because, compared to the phenotypic regression model, it provides RFI that are genetically independent of production traits at all time points. Furthermore, it can be applied even when production records are missing at certain time points.

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