True Genetic Feed Efficiency Can Be Attained
True genetic improvement is talked about, but little selection for the trait has been accomplished, according to a review of research by a team from Australia.

What has happened is we get some apparent improvement in feed efficiency by selection for growth rate. Within breeds and types of cattle this selection for gain has indirectly improved efficiency, but there was probably no true genetic selection for feed efficiency. Therefore, the improvement in feed efficiency was apparent rather than real.

But true genetic improvement can be achieved. Recent research by the Australian group (Arthur et. al 2001 J. Anim. Sci.79) have demonstrated that selection for feed efficiency can be attained without hurting other genetic traits.

Feed Efficiency and Profit Potential
For many of us that have the privilege of owning cattle, we know from experience that high efficient cattle may not be highly profitable. The reason may be buying price and/or selling price, sickness, death loss, and weather factors may overcome the benefits of good genetics for gain and feed efficiency.

Feed conversion is the important way feedlots evaluate feeding programs. When this is combined with all costs, then the value becomes a means of evaluating the total feeding program as cost of gain. Cost of gain and then profit or loss per head give the final value of a pen of cattle.

The question remains, since feedlot operators cannot purchase cattle with true genetic feed efficiency then what can we do? The answer is in the details of integrated management activities. The improvement can be found in: (1) animal health management, (2) finding and marketing efficient cattle, and (3) ration management.

Strategy No. 1: Find Healthy Cattle, Manage the Health Program
Here are suggestions to consider:

• Know the cattle. Insist on health records and vaccination history of purchased cattle.
• Control death loss. Use prevention programs of metaphylactic or feeding programs that include antibiotics as a prevention program. (Remember these comments are the experience of the writer.)
• Hold down mortality. Work with your veterinarian on prevention and treatment programs.
• Control internal and external parasites if needed.
• Control stable flies.
• Salvage the "tail-enders" as early as possible.

Strategy No. 2: Find and Market Efficient Cattle
Purchasing and selling activities impact efficiency and are also critical for profitability. Here are suggestions for tactics:

Find cattle that will gain weight. This is usually correlated with feed efficiency.

• Superior straight breeds.
• Cross-breeds with F1 or F2 hybrid vigor.

Manage the purchase and selling shrink. Cattle feeders know that purchasing a pen of cattle often times comes down to the weighing conditions (extra fill or shrink). This can amount to several pounds that have to be made up if excess fill is not controlled. Price and weighing conditions are fundamental for a good performing pen.

The timing of shipping on a pen of cattle also can effect the close-out and feed efficiency. Weather conditions can severely effect the feed and water fill of the livestock. It is possible to have a shrink of 20 pounds per head from lack of feed and 40 pounds from lack of water. If cattle are marketed on a carcass basis this is not as important for the profit or loss of a pen, but the close-out calculation is usually made on the live weight shipped and a high shipping shrink affects the calculation of feed efficiency.

Sort off and market the tail-enders ahead of the main marketing of the pen.

Consider using ultrasound sorting of cattle for the proper time on feed and "value" marketing.

Strategy No. 3: Ration Management Adds to Efficiency
Here is a short list of tactics to consider:

• Use best cost, not least cost rations.
• Consider limit energy grow rations if needed.
• Control feed wastage.
• Reduce roughage in finish rations to the minimum.
• Use fat in finish rations to maximize energy intake.
• Feed the optimum amount of an ionophore like Rumensin.
• Feed MGA to heifers along with an ionophore to improve gain and efficiency. ©