Feed Efficiency
For the third year in a row we tested our yearling bulls for individual feed efficiency. This time it was at our own ranch with our new feed bunks. For the third year the results showed us that there is tremendous variation in feed efficiency within a pen of animals. For the third year the data proves that we can’t predict an animal’s individual feed efficiency by visual appraisal.
Feed efficiency (and residual feed intake) is a moderately heritable trait. We will be using this information to select bulls for breeding that excel in this trait.
Important information to know before we get to the results:
We tested 42 bulls for individual feed efficiency.
The test was conducted from January 26 - April 18, 2023 (we calve in May).
The Residual Feed Intake (RFI) was calculated by C-Lock Inc.
The bulls were fed a growing ration, not a high energy finishing ration (50 Mcal/cwt Negain)
The average start weight was 665 lbs and the average ending weight was 974 lbs.
Here are the results:
1) The bull with the lowest ADG gained 2.57 lbs/day. The bull with the highest ADG gained
5.15 lbs/day. The pen averaged 3.77 lbs/day.
2) The bull that ate the least amount of feed ate 15.03 lbs/day (all weights of feed are on a
dry matter basis). This bull ate 2.08% of his body weight per day. The bull that ate the most
amount of feed ate 22.14 lbs/day. This bull ate 2.26% of his body weight per day.
The bull that ate the least amount of feed based on his body weight ate 1.92% of his body
weight. The bull that ate the most amount of feed based on his body weight ate 2.69% of
his body weight. The pen averaged eating 18.96 pounds per day and averaged eating
2.32% of their body weight.
The difference between lowest feed intake and the highest feed intake was 7 lbs per day.
3) The bull with the best feed:gain ratio was 4.12:1. The bull with the poorest feed:gain ratio
was 6.10:1. The pen averaged 5.08:1.
In each of the past two years there has been something very interesting that has struck me about the data. You are welcome to go and check my facebook posts for that information. This year what was interesting was the apparent heritability of feed efficiency. As stated earlier feed efficiency is a moderately heritable trait. I know that what I am about to talk about is only based on 2 years of data, and that is a very small set of data, but we will see in the coming years if this type of consistency can be attained.
Saskvalley Sindy 219B is a cow that we raised from birth. Last year her son (Saskvalley Jangle 220J) ranked 2nd out of 37 bulls for RFI. This year her son ranked 1st out of 42 bulls. Saskvalley Sindy 37G is one of her daughters that is also in our herd. Last year 37G’s son (which she birthed as a 2 year old) ranked 15 out of 37 for RFI. 37G’s son in this year’s test ranked 5th out of 42. It will be interesting to follow the feed efficiency of cow lines and sire groups in the years to come. The bulls that we will test in 2024 will be the first group that will have individuals that will be sired by bulls that have been tested for individual feed efficiency and excel in this trait.
There is an old Chinese proverb that states “the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today”. I wish we had started doing this 20 years ago.
If you would like to discuss any of the above data or opinions please phone me at 306-212-0240.
If you would like to review the condensed set of data, or the entire set of data, feel free to
email me at barrylehmann15@gmail.com