Selection for feed efficiency traits and correlated genetic responses in feed intake and weight gain of Nellore cattle1

Cow bodyweight gain, calf weaning weight, feed intake and maternal productivity of 500 Angus cows, in 64 replicate groups, were measured over three parities at two locations (Struan and Vasse) as part of the Beef CRC Maternal Productivity Project. The cows were sourced as heifers from the top and bottom 10% of BREEDPLAN Rib Fat EBV (High-Fat and Low-Fat), and from High and Low residual feed intake (RFI) selection lines (High-RFI and Low-RFI). Each of the four genotypes were run under High- and Low-Nutrition (measured as feed on offer) at both sites. The High-Fat cows were 7% more efficient at producing weaner calves under Low-Nutrition than were the Low-Fat cows. This was driven primarily by the 4% difference between the lines in weaning rate. When weaning rate differences were accounted for (as covariate), there was no difference between the Fat lines in the efficiency of weaner weight production. When the weight gain of the cow was included as an output in addition to calf weaning weight, there was also no difference between the Fat lines in efficiency. Low-RFI cows were always more efficient at producing weaner calves than were the High-RFI cows. This was primarily driven through a 7% reduction in annual feed intake (across both nutrition treatments). However, the Low-RFI cows were leaner, had 6.3% lower weaning rate and calved on average 5.4 days later than did the High-RFI cows. Furthermore, the largest differences in feed intake were in spring when feed availability is greatest. In the context of the results herein, a balanced breeding program should include selection for improved reproduction and low RFI.

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

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.612 ◽

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 > 0.05) genetic correlations with ADG (0.04 ± 0.26) and BW (0.16 ± 0.24) but significant (P < 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.

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EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS FEEDING OF RAPESEED MEAL ON GROWTH OF DAIRY CALVES AND SUBSEQUENT FIRST LACTATION YIELD

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas71-090 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 681-686 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J. R. INGALLS ◽

M. E. SEALE

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Milk Production ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Rapeseed Meal ◽

Conception Rate ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Continuous Feeding

Thirty dairy heifer calves were reared from birth to calving on rations containing 0, 6.8 or 13.7% rapeseed meal in substitution for soybean meal. The level of rapeseed meal did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect feed intake, weight gain or feed efficiency of heifers up to breeding weight (330–340 kg). The level of rapeseed meal did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect reproduction or milk production during the first lactation. However, there may have been a trend for lower conception rate and milk fat production during first lactation with the higher level of rapeseed meal.

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Challenge with fumonisins B1 and B2 changes IGF-1 and GHR mRNA expression in liver of Nile tilapia fingerlings

World Mycotoxin Journal ◽

10.3920/wmj2017.2208 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 237-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

S.C. Claudino-Silva ◽

B. Lala ◽

N.H.A.P. Mora ◽

C.R. Schamber ◽

C.S. Nascimento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Oreochromis Niloticus ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Nile Tilapia ◽

Growth Hormone Receptor ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Insulin Growth Factor ◽

Nile Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus

Although fumonisins are identified as responsible for alterations in weight gain, little information is available on their effects on expression of growth-related genes, especially for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. In this study, Nile tilapia fingerlings were treated with increasing levels of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) (diets of 0, 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg) to evaluate their effects on weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (FE), growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression in liver of this fish. All variables were evaluated at 15 and 30 days of treatment. Diet containing 0 mg fumonisin/kg was used as control treatment. Treatment with 20, 40, and 60 mg fumonisin/kg of diet significantly reduced WG (P<0.0001) and FE (P<0.0001), while GHR and IGF-1 mRNA expression was reduced both at 15 and 30 days of treatment. Feed intake was not affected by diets in any of the evaluated periods. These results indicate that fumonisins (FB1 + FB2) affect the growth of Nile tilapia fingerlings through mechanisms that involve reduction of GHR and IGF-1 expression.

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434 Late-Breaking: Expression of Growth hormone Gene (GH) and Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-2) in metabolic tissues of pigs are affected by unconventional dietary feed sources

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.085 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 42-43

Author(s):

Ufuoma G Sorhue ◽

Ikenna Omeje ◽

Ifeanyichukwu udeh ◽

Adimabua M Moemeka ◽

Raphael E Onainor

Keyword(s):

Growth Hormone ◽

Body Weight ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Growth Hormone Gene ◽

Feed Conversion

Abstract This study was conducted to examine the growth performance and expression patterns of growth hormone gene and insulin-like growth factor in metabolic tissues of pigs fed different unconventional feed sources. A total of 45 growing pigs were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments at 9 animals per treatment and 3 animals per replicate. Treatment one (T1) comprise of whole maize (WM) which served as the control, T2: brewers dried grain (BDG), T3: cassava peel meal (CPM), T4: plantain peel meal (PPM) and T5: corn husk meal (CHM) at 35% inclusion in the diet. Data collected and analyzed includes; initial body weight (IBW), final body weight (FBW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed efficiency (FE). At the end of the feeding trial, three animals per treatment (one animal per replicate) were slaughtered; the duodenum and liver were collected and stored using RNALater prior to RNA extraction. Real-time qPCR was performed in 40cycles using the PowerUp SYBR Green reagent and analysed using the Delta-Delta Ct method. All data were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the treatment diets had effect on growth performance with significant differences (P < 0.05) observed for average final weight, average total weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency while the initial weight were not significantly different (P > 0.05). IGF-2 was differentially expressed in the liver and duodenum across treatments while significant differences were not observed in the expression pattern of the growth hormone gene in both tissues. This study showed promise for the use of unconventional feeding stuffs in pig feeding and reveals that genes influencing performance characters are differentially expressed in relation to the source of unconventional feeds used in compounding pig diet.

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TRITICALE IN DIETS FOR YOUNG DAIRY CALVES

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas70-025 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 199-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

J. R. INGALLS ◽

T. J. DEVLIN ◽

J. A. McKIRDY

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Free Choice ◽

Isobutyric Acid ◽

Dairy Calves ◽

Experimental Diet ◽

Similar Weight ◽

Meal Effect ◽

Low Levels

A study was conducted to compare feed intake and growth rate of young dairy calves receiving two levels of triticale (27.5 and 55% of a complete ration) with calves receiving barley diets supplemented with urea or soybean meal. Effect of pelleting the 55% triticale diet was also examined. Each experimental diet was fed to 10 dairy calves (five bulls and five heifers) from birth. Experimental diets were fed free choice throughout. Triticale (1967 crop) at both levels reduced weight gain and feed intake relative to the control diets; however, there was little effect on feed efficiency. Low levels of ergot contamination of the triticale may have played a role in feed intake depression. Pelleting the 55% triticale diet resulted in reduced feed intake, similar weight gain and increased feed efficiency. Rations containing urea resulted in reduced rumen levels of isobutyric acid.

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Effect of selection for fasting tolerance on feed intake, growth and feed efficiency in the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Aquaculture ◽

10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.05.036 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 420-421 ◽

pp. S42-S49 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sophie Daulé ◽

Marc Vandeputte ◽

Alain Vergnet ◽

Bruno Guinand ◽

Laure Grima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Dicentrarchus Labrax ◽

Sea Bass ◽

European Sea Bass ◽

Selection For ◽

Fasting Tolerance

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Effect of Homeopathic Medicine (Alfalfa), Methionine and Lysine Supplementation in Low Protein Based Diets on the Performance of Broiler Chicken

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v6i2.20432 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 174-180

Author(s):

D. Rawat ◽

R. Shah ◽

D.B. Nepali ◽

J.L. Yadav

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Broiler Chicken ◽

Live Weight ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Homeopathic Medicine ◽

Low Protein ◽

Finisher Diets

An experiment was conducted, with objective to determine the feed consumption, final live weight, weight gain, feed efficiency and economy in broiler chicken fed with locally available low protein based diets (20 percent CP in starter and 18 percent CP in finisher) supplemented with methionine, lysine and homeopathic medicine alfalfa. For this hundred fifty day-old birds of commercial broiler (Vencobb) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments(10 chicks/treatment) and replicated three times in CRD with treatments composition of low protein based diets (LPB) (T0), LPB+ 100g/100 met + 300g/100 lysine (T1), LPB + 200g/100 met +300g/100lysine (T2), LPB + Alfalfa 5ml/100 chicks 2 day in week with drinking water (T3) and LPB + Alfalfa 5ml/100 chicks 3 day in week with drinking water (T4). Synthetic methionine and lysine was used for supplementation of deficient amino acid. Same condition was applied in finisher diets of broiler chicken. The result showed that chicks fed with LPB in both starter and finisher diet had significantly (P<0.05) lower feed intake, final live weight , total weight gain, feed efficiency and income over feed and chicks cost (IOFCC) with compromising chicks fed with LPB with addition of methionine and lysine each and also homeopathic medicine alfalfa in starter and finisher period. Highest feed intake, final live weight, weight gain, feed efficiency was obtained with treatment (T1) followed by treatment (T2). However, positive growth response and better health status of chicks was also observed from supplementation of homeopathic medicine alfalfa with LPB and non-significant difference on Income Over Feed and Chicks Cost was obtained with treatment (T1). So, it was concluded that with supplemental methionine, lysine and alfalfa, the CP level of broiler chicks could be reduced up to 20 percent in starter and 18 percent in finisher diets without adverse effect on feed intake, final live weight, weight gain, feed efficiency and Income overfeed and chicks cost, provided under locally based feed ingredients.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(2): 174-180

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Genetic improvement of lean meat growth and feed efficiency in pigs

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea04017 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 383 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

S. Hermesch

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Restricted Feeding ◽

Cost Component ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Testing Procedures ◽

Growing Pig ◽

Breeding Programmes ◽

Selection For ◽

Feed Costs

Optimising selection procedures for feed efficiency and lean meat growth in pigs is important because feed costs form a high cost component of production. In this paper a number of breeding objectives used in pig industries are reviewed and the concept of the linear-plateau growth model is outlined. This concept allows optimisation of selection for feed intake of the growing pig taking the pigs potential for protein deposition into account. This is a first step towards further collaboration between geneticists and scientists from other disciplines in order to gain a better understanding of physiological consequences of selection. The necessity of recording individual feed intake in group housed pigs has led to the development of electronic feeders. These computerised systems provide additional data including repeated weight and feed intake records as well as feeding pattern traits. How to make best use of this extra information in breeding programmes needs to be explored further. Implications of testing pigs under ad libitum and restricted feeding are outlined and results from selection experiments and commercial group house environments are summarised. The comparison of testing procedures shows that restricted feeding benefits selection for lean meat growth. However, in commercial environments the benefits depend on how well variation in feed intake can be controlled. Testing procedures should be expanded to explain a larger part of variation in daily feed intake, as is currently the case. This unexplained variation may be related to the animal’s activity, social interactions between animals and response to various stressors that occur in commercial group housed environments.

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