Relationship between residual feed intake classification as a heifer and lifetime productivity of beef cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 191-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Callum ◽  
K.H. Ominski ◽  
G. Crow ◽  
F. Zvomuya ◽  
J.A. Basarab

The effect of residual feed intake adjusted for backfat thickness (RFIfat) on heifer pregnancy rate and subsequent lifetime productivity was examined in 867 beef females that were ranked as low, medium, or high RFIfat. Age at first calving, weaning weight of first calf, and most probable producing ability for birth weight (MPPAbw) and weaning weight (MPPAww) were calculated to assess first parity heifer productivity. The effect of heifer RFI adjusted for backfat (RFIfat; n = 532) on subsequent lifetime cow productivity (n = 415) was calculated based on kg of calf weaned per cow bred per year. A total lifetime productivity measure (n = 218) were also calculated as total calf weaning weight (kg) output per cow culled. RFI rank had no significant effect on pregnancy rate, when adjusted for season and site differences (P = 0.33). No significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between MPPAww and RFI, RFIfat, RFI adjusted for backfat and feeding event frequency (RFIfat & activity), or age at first calving. A negative trend (P < 0.10) between RFI, RFIfat, and MPPAbw calculated from first parity pregnancy rate and production traits was no longer apparent when adjusted for RFIfat & activity. These results suggest that selection for low RFI replacement heifers has no impact on their first parity pregnancy rate and productivity or on subsequent cow productivity.

2016 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 1999-2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Drouilhet ◽  
R. Monteville ◽  
C. Molette ◽  
M. Lague ◽  
A. Cornuez ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Hebart ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
R. M. Herd ◽  
...  

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Copping ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
N. J. Edwards ◽  
J. F. Graham ◽  
...  

This experiment evaluated the productivity of 500 Angus cows that differed in genetic merit for either subcutaneous rib fat depth (Fat) or residual feed intake (RFI) based on estimated breeding values (EBVs) and managed under two levels of nutrition. Reproductive rate over four calving opportunities in mature cows and growth performance of progeny to weaning was assessed. Level of nutrition significantly affected all body composition traits for both Fat and RFI line cows. Cows on High-Nutrition were 14–16% heavier (P < 0.001) than those on Low-Nutrition. Differences in EBVs for fatness were reflected in phenotypic fatness at maturity. High-RFI line cows were fatter for both scanned rump (P8) and rib (RIB) fat depth relative to their Low-RFI contemporaries. Of those cows that were lactating, there was no significant effect of line or nutrition on pregnancy rate or days to calving (DC). There was, however, a trend (P < 0.1) in the Low-Fat line cows towards longer DC compared with the High-Fat line cows. There was no significant effect of either line or nutrition on calf birthweight. Calves with mothers on High-Nutrition were 8% heavier at weaning (P < 0.001) than those on Low-Nutrition. Lower EBVs for RFI was associated with higher 200-day growth EBV and heavier calves at weaning. Current carcass BREEDPLAN EBVs can be used to select for changes in cow body composition if desired. In this experiment, Angus cows selected for lower RFI or with below-average fatness EBV and had raised a calf at every previous opportunity were not compromised in pregnancy rate or DC at maturity under varying nutrition such as can be experienced during normal seasonal conditions in southern Australia. However, selection for lower RFI was associated with lower weaning rate (P < 0.05), which warrants further investigation to confidently predict the implications for commercial cattle production.


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hermesch ◽  
L. Li ◽  
A. B. Doeschl-Wilson ◽  
H. Gilbert

Pig breeding programs worldwide continue to focus on both productivity and robustness. This selection emphasis has to be accompanied by provision of better-quality environments to pigs to improve performance and to enhance health and welfare of pigs. Definition of broader breeding objectives that include robustness traits in addition to production traits is the first step in the development of selection strategies for productivity and robustness. An approach has been presented which facilitates extension of breeding objectives. Post-weaning survival, maternal genetic effects for growth as an indicator of health status and sow mature weight are examples of robustness traits. Further, breeding objectives should be defined for commercial environments and selection indexes should account for genotype by environment interactions (GxE). Average performances of groups of pigs have been used to quantify the additive effects of multiple environmental factors on performance of pigs. For growth, GxE existed when environments differed by 60 g/day between groups of pigs. This environmental variation was observed even on well managed farms. Selection for improved health of pigs should focus on disease resistance to indirectly reduce pathogen loads on farms and on disease resilience to improve the ability of pigs to cope with infection challenges. Traits defining disease resilience may be based on performance and immune measures, disease incidence or survival rates of pigs. Residual feed intake is a trait that quantifies feed efficiency. The responses of divergent selection lines for residual feed intake to various environmental challenges were often similar or even favourable for the more efficient, low residual feed intake line. These somewhat unexpected results highlight the need to gain a better understanding of the metabolic differences between more or less productive pigs. These physiological differences lead to interactions between the genetic potential of pigs for productivity and robustness and the prevalence of specific environmental conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 75-76
Author(s):  
Camren l Maierle ◽  
Andrew R Weaver ◽  
Eugene Felton ◽  
Scott P Greiner ◽  
Scott A Bowdridge

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is quickly becoming the preferred measurement of efficiency in many species due to its inherent independence of most other important production traits. Making meaningful improvement in feed efficiency of sheep will require a consistent methodology to accurately identify efficient individuals. Due to difficulty in measuring this trait efforts must be made to incorporate efficiency data in large-scale genetic evaluations. The aim of this study was to evaluate lambs in a feedlot with large-scale genetic evaluations for feed efficiency calculated by residual feed intake (RFI) utilizing a Growsafe™ system. RFI was calculated by subtracting expected intake from actual intake. Expected intake was determined by regressing metabolic body size of mid-test weight. Regression determined ADG on actual intake for individuals in the population. Texel (n = 58) and Katahdin (n = 118) lambs were placed in a feedlot and fed in separate feeding trials, a complete pellet ad libitum as the sole source of nutrition. In this environment Texel and Katahdin lambs had expected ADG values (0.27 kg/day, 0.32 kg/day respectively) and actual intake data (2154.17 g/day, 1909.33 g/day respectively. After a period of adaptation, Texel average intake was determined over a period of 27 consecutive days and used to calculate individual RFI within the test population. Observable ranges of RFI (-0.62 – +0.62) were seen in the Texel lambs. At the start of the Katahdin trial lambs were separated by sex and FEC treatment. After a period of adaptation, Katahdin average intake was determined over a period of 42 consecutive days and used to calculate individual RFI within the test population. Observable ranges of RFI (-0.53 – +0.50) were seen in the Katahdin lambs as well. In both feeding trials RFI appeared to be normally distributed. Use of this technology may be useful in identifying superior individuals for feed efficiency.


2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 258-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Sadler ◽  
A. K. Johnson ◽  
S. M. Lonergan ◽  
D. Nettleton ◽  
J. C. M. Dekkers

2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (suppl_2) ◽  
pp. 108-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Hewitt ◽  
C. F. M. de Lange ◽  
T. Antonick ◽  
J. C. M. Dekkers ◽  
A. R. Pendleton ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 387-388
Author(s):  
Yuanfei Zhou ◽  
Zuhong Liu ◽  
Jian Peng

Abstract This study investigated the effect of feed intake during late gestation on piglet birth weight and weaning weight of sows with the low backfat thickness (BF) at gestation 90 d. A total of 397 crossbred Landrance × Large White sows according to feed intakes were randomly allotted to three groups 2.8 kg/d (the energy requirement for sow maintenance), 3.6 kg/d and 4.0 kg/d from day 90 to day 110 of gestation. Sows were weighed and measured BF at 90 d and at 110 d of gestation and at weaning. Piglet performance at parturition and at weaning and wean-to-estrus of sows were recorded. Although sows had a tendency to increase BF at gestation 110 d (P = 0.09) and had more BF gain during late gestation with higher feed intake (P &lt; 0.01), there was no evidence for differences in piglet birth weight, within-litter birth weight variation and weak piglet rate, and the number of total born, born alive and stillborn. During lactation, sows fed with high feed intake in late gestation increased body weight loss (P &lt; 0.01). And no differences were observed in piglet performance at weaning and wean-to-estrus interval of sows. In conclusion, during late gestation, sows fed with feed intake more than energy requirement for maintenance had no effect on piglet birth weight or weaning weight.


2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 2542-2554 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Saintilan ◽  
I. Mérour ◽  
L. Brossard ◽  
T. Tribout ◽  
J. Y. Dourmad ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 3089-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Melucci ◽  
A. N. Birchmeier ◽  
E. P. Cappa ◽  
R. J. C. Cantet

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