Optimising the proportion of selection candidates measured for feed intake for a beef cattle breeding objective that includes methane emissions

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 1030
Author(s):  
D.J. Cottle ◽  
J.H.J. van der Werf
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Breeding Objective

Modelling methane emissions from remotely collected liveweight data and faecal near-infrared spectroscopy in beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 1980 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. González ◽  
E. Charmley ◽  
B. K. Henry
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
National Inventory ◽  
Short And Long Term

The objective of the present study was to develop a model-data fusion approach using remotely collected liveweight (LW) data from individual animals (weighing station placed at the water trough) and evaluate the potential for these data from frequent weighing to increase the accuracy of estimates of methane emissions from beef cattle grazing tropical pastures. Remotely collected LW data were used to calculate daily LW change (LWC), i.e. growth rate on a daily basis, and then to predict feed intake throughout a 342-day grazing period. Feed intake and diet dry matter digestibility (DMD) from faecal near-infrared spectroscopy analysis were used to predict methane emissions using methods for both tropical and temperate cattle as used in the Australian national inventory (Commonwealth of Australia 2014). The remote weighing system captured both short- and long-term environmental (e.g. dry and wet season, and rainfall events) and management effects on LW changes, which were then reflected in estimated feed intake and methane emissions. Large variations in all variables, measured and predicted, were found both across animals and throughout the year. Methane predictions using the official national inventory model for tropical cattle resulted in 20% higher emissions than those for temperate cattle. Predicted methane emissions based on a simulation using only initial and final LW and assuming a linear change in LW between these two points were 7.5% and 5.8% lower than those using daily information on LW from the remote weighing stations for tropical and temperate cattle, respectively. Methane emissions and feed intake can be predicted from remotely collected LW data in near real-time on a daily basis to account for short- and long-term variations in forage quality and intake. This approach has the potential to provide accurate estimates of methane emissions at the individual animal level, making the approach suitable for grazing livestock enterprises wishing to participate in carbon markets and accounting schemes.

Economic evaluation of beef cattle breeding schemes incorporating performance testing of young bulls for feed intake

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 393 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Archer ◽  
S. A. Barwick ◽  
H.-U. Graser
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Selection Criterion ◽  
Performance Testing ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Commercial Unit ◽  
Base Scenario ◽  
Breeding Schemes ◽  
The Impact

A model beef cattle breeding scheme consisting of a breeding unit and a commercial unit was used to evaluate the impact on genetic gain and profitability of incorporating feed intake measurements as an additional selection criterion in breeding programmes. Costs incurred by the breeding unit were compared with returns generated in the commercial unit, with bulls from the breeding unit being used as sires in the commercial unit. Two different market objectives were considered — a grass-fed product for the Australian domestic market, and a grain-fed product for the Japanese market. Breeding units utilising either artificial insemination or natural service were also considered. A base scenario was modelled incorporating a range of criteria available to Australian cattle breeders. A second scenario incorporated selection of sires for the breeding unit using a 2-stage selection process, with a proportion of bulls selected after weaning for measurement of (residual) feed intake. Measurement of feed intake of bulls improved accuracy of breeding unit sire selection by 14–50% over the equivalent base scenario, and genetic gain in the breeding objective was improved for all scenarios, with gains ranging from 8 to 38% over the base scenario. After accounting for the cost of measuring feed intake ($150–450), additional profit was generated from inclusion of feed intake measurement on a proportion of bulls for all breeding schemes considered. Profit was generally maximised where 10–20% of bulls were selected at weaning for measurement of intake, with improvement in profit ranging from 9 to 33% when optimal numbers of bulls were selected for intake measurement.

scholarly journals Methane emissions, feed intake, and performance of finishing beef cattle offered maize silages harvested at 4 different stages of maturity1

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 1479-1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Mc Geough ◽  
P. O'Kiely ◽  
P. A. Foley ◽  
K. J. Hart ◽  
T. M. Boland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Finishing Beef Cattle

scholarly journals Effect of divergence in residual methane emissions on feed intake and efficiency, growth and carcass performance, and indices of rumen fermentation and methane emissions in finishing beef cattle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P E Smith ◽  
S M Waters ◽  
D A Kenny ◽  
S F Kirwan ◽  
S Conroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Carcass Performance

Abstract Residual expressions of enteric emissions favour a more equitable identification of an animals methanogenic potential compared to traditional measures of enteric emissions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of divergently ranking beef cattle for residual methane emissions (RME) on animal productivity, enteric emissions and rumen fermentation. Dry matter intake (DMI), growth, feed efficiency, carcass output and enteric emissions (Greenfeed emissions monitoring system) was recorded on 294 crossbred beef cattle ((steers = 135 and heifers = 159; mean age 441 days (SD = 49); initial body weight (BW) of 476 kg (SD = 67)) at the Irish national beef cattle performance test centre. Animals were offered a total mixed ration (77% concentrate and 23% forage; 12.6 MJ ME/kg of DM and 12% CP) ad libitum with emissions estimated for 21 days over a mean feed intake measurement period of 91 days. Animals had a mean daily methane emissions (DME) of 229.18 g/d (SD = 45.96), methane yield (MY) of 22.07 g/kg of DMI (SD = 4.06), methane intensity (MI) 0.70g/kg of carcass weight (SD = 0.15) and RME 0.00 g/d (SD = 0.34). RME was computed as the residuals from a multiple regression model regressing DME on DMI and BW (R 2=0.45%). Animals were ranked into three groups viz. high RME (>0.5 SD above the mean), medium RME (±0.5 SD above/below the mean) and low RME (>0.5 SD below the mean). Low RME animals produced 17.6 and 30.4% less (P<0.05) DME compared to medium and high RME animals, respectively. A ~30% reduction in MY and MI was detected in low vs. high RME animals. Positive correlations were apparent amongst all methane traits with RME most highly associated with (r=0.86) DME. MY and MI were correlated (P<0.05) with DMI, growth, feed efficiency and carcass output. High RME had lower (P<0.05) ruminal propionate compared to low RME animals and increased (P<0.05) butyrate compared to medium and low RME animals. Propionate was negatively associated (P<0.05) with all methane traits. Greater acetate:propionate ratio was associated with higher RME (r=0.18; P<0.05). Under the ad libitum feeding regime deployed here, RME was the best predictor of DME and only methane trait independent of animal productivity. Ranking animals on RME presents the opportunity to exploit inter animal variation in enteric emissions as well as providing a more equitable index of the methanogenic potential of an animal on which to investigate the underlying biological regulatory mechanisms.

The theoretical background for the effective development of beef raising

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1738-1749
Author(s):  
N.L. Titov ◽  
M.M. Nizamutdinov ◽  
G.S. Klychova
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Cattle Industry ◽  
Effective Development ◽  
Cattle Husbandry

Subject. This article explores the theoretical basis of the economic efficiency of production and classifies the performance figures of beef cattle husbandry. Objectives. The article aims to define a system of indicators of beef cattle husbandry economic efficiency. Methods. For the study, we used a comparative analysis. Conclusions and Relevance. To assess the economic efficiency of agriculture production, it is necessary to use a set of indicators by beef cattle breeding sub-sector. The system of economic performance indicators of production needs to be transformed into a summarizing indicator. The results of the study can be applied in the theory and practice of determining the economic efficiency of the beef cattle industry.

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