Efficiency of feed utilisation by livestock — Implications and benefits of genetic improvement

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Arthur ◽  
R. M. Herd
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Selection Strategy ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Feed Utilisation

Genetic improvement strategies in the past have concentrated on traits associated with outputs. Traits that directly affect input costs, such as those related to the efficiency of feed utilisation, have only recently started to receive some attention. This paper examines the current state of knowledge, benefits and challenges associated with genetic improvement of feed utilisation by livestock. Current information indicates the existence of genetic variation in feed efficiency and moderate heritability for most feed efficiency traits in all livestock species. However, there is a paucity of information on the genetic relationships among feed efficiency traits and other traits at different phases of the production cycle. The challenge is to develop breeding programs that exploit genetic variation in efficiency of feed utilisation to improve whole production system efficiency. The cost of recording feed intake (used to compute feed efficiency traits) is high, making it uneconomical, in some species, to measure feed intake in all potential seedstock animals. However, where a two-stage selection approach has been adopted, the inclusion of feed efficiency traits in genetic improvement schemes has yielded substantial additional benefits over and above the benefits from existing schemes that do not include feed efficiency traits. Under a two-stage selection strategy all potential seedstock animals are first evaluated for the production traits of interest, after which strategically selected individuals undergo feed efficiency testing. Where physiological or genetic markers for feed efficiency exist, such information is included in the first stage selection decision. There is theoretical evidence that selection for some feed efficiency traits, such as residual feed intake, will have additional benefit of reducing greenhouse emissions by livestock and improving environmental sustainability. The challenge is to generate the necessary empirical data to support this assertion. Key words: Feed efficiency, genetics, physiology, economic benefit, environmental sustainability

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).

ALTERNATIVE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF FEED EFFICIENCY IN BROILER CHICKENS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-618
Author(s):  
L. N. IRWIN ◽  
G. W. FRIARS ◽  
R. J. JULIAN
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Abdominal Fat ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Standard Errors ◽  
Compensatory Gain

A hierarchical mating of 25 sires and 192 dams produced 862 progeny that yielded complete records to market age in two hatches of broiler chickens. These progeny were housed in two levels of cages. Half of the birds were subjected to a compensatory feed treatment which was used as an indicator of appetite. Increased feed consumption, following fasting, resulted in increased deposition of abdominal fat. Various approaches were investigated with respect to maximizing the genetic improvement of feed efficiency. Estimates of the heritabilities of feed:gain, gain:feed, total feed intake, compensatory feed intake and compensatory gain were all low (0.24 or less), with generally high standard errors. The estimated heritabilities of gain and gain corrected for feed intake at 0.46 suggests that selection for the latter trait has potential for improving gain at a statistically fixed feed intake. The standard errors on estimates of genetic correlations were too wide to allow predicted selection changes in correlated traits, and thus these correlations were not presented. Key words: Broiler chickens, feed efficiency, compensatory feed intake, abdominal fat deposition

scholarly journals A switch from fish- to plant-protein based feeds will not harm the current breeding program for European whitefish: Evidence from genetic analysis of feed utilisation traits

2006 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Cheryl D. Quinton ◽  
Antti Kause ◽  
Juha Koskela
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Plant Protein ◽  
Coregonus Lavaretus ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Daily Gain

A selective breeding program is currently under development that aims to enhance farmed European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.), in order to increase aquafood supply chain productivity and consumer satisfaction in Finland. Critical steps in developing a breeding program are determining the amount of genetic variation in the population, and predicting how selection to change one trait may impact other traits. Diets for carnivorous fish currently contain protein mostly derived from wild fish sources. In order to reduce feed costs and environmental impact, alternative plant proteins have been researched for aquaculture diets. An issue of concern to the whitefish breeding program is the possibility of genotype by environment interaction (GxE), specifically that fish produced by the breeding program with the current diets may not perform well when they are reared with future plant-protein based diets. The aims of this study were (i) to assess whether sufficient genetic variation exists to improve growth, feed intake and feed efficiency on both types of diets through selection, and (ii) to predict whether selection on a fish meal (FM) based diet will lead to favourable correlated changes on a potential future soybean meal (SBM) based diet. Seventy families were created from a series of factorial matings. Twenty-four individuals from each family were tagged and allocated to one of two diet treatments: a FM protein diet or a SBM protein diet. Individual weights were recorded at the beginning and end of the 3-month growth trial. During the trial, daily feed intake was measured 5 times per individual with X-radiography. Genetic parameters of final body weight, daily gain, daily feed intake, and feed efficiency were estimated with multiple-trait animal models. Fish on the FM diet had faster growth, higher final weight, lower feed intake, and accordingly higher feed efficiency than those on the SBM diet. For both diets, daily gain showed the highest heritability (h2=0,20-0,40), feed intake had lower h2 (0,17-0,23), and feed efficiency and body weight had the lowest h2 (0,05-0,07). Each trait appeared to show sufficient genetic variation for selective improvement for both diets. Daily gain and feed intake had high positive correlations (rP and rA>0,86) within both diets. Heritabilities were similar on both diets, and genetic correlations between the same traits recorded in each diet were very high (rA>0,92). This indicates that little GxE exists for these traits, and selection to improve growth and feed utilization on the FM diet will have correlated improvement for the SBM diet. In conclusion, the results of this study are favourable, and indicate that present selection to improve growth, feed intake, and feed efficiency within a FM-based diet will also improve the population for these traits within a SBM-based diet. Therefore, the improved population is likely to continue performing well as aquaculture diets move toward increased SBM protein contents.

48 Genomic Studies of Feed Efficiency and Component Traits in American Mink

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 24-25
Author(s):  
Pourya Davoudi ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Siavash Salek Ardestani ◽  
Younes Miar
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Selection ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Component Traits ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Feed costs are the largest expense in mink production systems. Therefore, improvement of feed efficiency (FE) is the best way to use limited resources efficiently and increase the mink industry’s sustainability. The objectives of this project are to 1) identify the genetic relationships among different FE measures and their component traits, and 2) discover the genetic architecture of FE and implement genomic selection for FE traits to increase the genetic gain in American mink. Final body weight (FBW), final body length (FBL), daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), residual gain (RG), residual intake and gain (RIG) and Kleiber ratio (KR) traits were measured based on the phenotypic records on 1,088 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research (Nova Scotia, Canada). Univariate models were applied to test the significance of sex, color type, age, and nested Row(Year) as fixed effects and random maternal effect. Genetic parameters were estimated via bivariate models using ASReml-R 4. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.38±0.10, 0.36±0.10, 0.25±0.10, 0.34±0.09, 0.38±0.08, 0.37±0.07, 0.29±0.10, 0.32±0.10 and 0.34±0.10 for FBW, FBL, DFI, ADG, FCR, RFI, RG, RIG and KR, respectively. RFI showed non-significant (P >0.05) genetic correlations with component traits such as FBW (0.00±0.17) and FBL (0.30±0.16) but significant (P < 0.05) high genetic correlation with DFI (0.74±0.09), indicating that selection based on RFI will reduce the feed intake without any negative effects on the size and growth. The estimated genetic parameters for FE traits suggested the possibility to implement genetic/genomic selection to improve the FE in American mink. Consequently, the ongoing project on genetic mapping and genomic selection will enhance the knowledge of FE and improve the efficacy of selection for more feed-efficient mink.

Variation in feed intake of grazing crossbred ewes and genetic correlations with production traits

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
G. J. Lee ◽  
V. M. Ingham ◽  
G. M. Gaunt ◽  
L. J. Cummins
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Feed Utilisation ◽  
Release Devices ◽  
Considerable Range ◽  
Sire Breed

Feed for maintenance of the ewe flock is a major cost in lamb production systems and a reduction in these feed requirements could have an effect on carrying capacity and both biological and economic efficiency in sheep flocks. Inclusion of feed intake in breeding programs requires knowledge of its genetic variation and genetic relationships with other production traits. This study reports on the variation in relative digestible dry matter intake (rDDMI) of 2528 mature, non-pregnant, crossbred ewes that are the progeny of 91 rams of various maternal breeds. Feed intake of pasture under grazing conditions was estimated using the faecal marker dilution technique with chromium sesquioxide controlled-release devices. There was significant variation in intake associated with liveweight, liveweight gain, prior reproductive status, fat depth, and muscle depth of the ewes. Sire breed was not significant for rDDMI, although there was a considerable range of >30% across sire progeny groups within most sire breeds, and rDDMI had an estimated heritability of 0.41 ±  0.07 (s.e.). The genetic correlations with a range of production traits (growth, carcass, wool, and reproduction) were all close to zero. The potential for inclusion of genetic improvement of efficiency of feed utilisation in breeding programs for sheep is discussed.

scholarly journals Phenotypic and genetic relationships between growth and feed intake curves and feed efficiency and amino acid requirements in the growing pig

animal ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Saintilan ◽  
L. Brossard ◽  
B. Vautier ◽  
P. Sellier ◽  
J. Bidanel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Growing Pig ◽  
Amino Acid Requirements

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.

72 Relationships Among Lifetime Feed Efficiency Traits in Growing Heifers, Mature Cows and Their Progeny

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 118-119
Author(s):  
Phillip A Lancaster ◽  
Mike Davis ◽  
Jack Rutledge ◽  
Larry Cundiff
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Test Body ◽  
Production Cycle

Abstract Uncertainty exists in relationships among feed efficiency traits in different production stages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships among feed efficiency traits measured in various stages of production. Data were collected from 1953 through 1980 from dams (n = 160), and their progeny (n = 406). Individual feed intake was measured from 240 d of age through weaning of 3rd calf for dams, and from weaning to slaughter for progeny. Body weight was measured at 28-d intervals until first parturition for heifers and slaughter for progeny, and cows were weighed at parturition and weaning each production cycle. Milk yield of dams was measured at 14-d intervals throughout lactation. Residual feed intake was computed as the residual from linear regression of daily DMI on metabolic mid-test body weight, average daily gain, and milk yield for dams only with year-diet-breed factor as a random effect using lmer function in R software. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed using corr.test function. Pearson correlations of RFI with DMI ranged from 0.58 to 0.74 and with feed:gain or feed:milk ranged from 0.24 to 0.67 within production stage. Heifer RFI was correlated with cow RFI during parity 1 (0.74), but not parity 2 (0.11) or 3 (-0.06). Heifer RFI was correlated with progeny 3 RFI (0.17), but not progeny 1 or 2 RFI. Cow RFI was weakly correlated among parities (0.25 to 0.36) whereas feed:milk was strongly correlated (0.56 to 0.70). Cow RFI was not correlated with progeny RFI of the same parity. In conclusion, RFI was poorly correlated across stage of production.

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.

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