feed efficiency – Beef Cattle

September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

Selection for Improved Feed Efficiency: Comparison of Different Indices

Selection for Improved Feed Efficiency:

Comparison of Different Indices

Mark Thallman

U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Mark.Thallman@ars.usda.gov

*Click here for printable pdf version.

Feed efficiency is one of the most economically important traits in beef production and is sufficiently heritable …

September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

Initial Genome-Wide Association Study of Feed Intake-Related Traits in Beef Cattle

Initial Genome-Wide Association

Study of Feed Intake-Related

Traits in Beef Cattle

Feed Efficiency Consortium

http://www.beefefficiency.org/info/FE_Genomics_FactSheet.pdf

*Click here for printable pdf version.

Importance of Feed Efficiency

The ability to improve the utilization of nutrients has tremendous potential to improve profitability. It …

September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

On average, how many pounds of corn make one pound of beef? Assuming an all-grain diet from backgrounding through to 1,250-pound slaughter weight, I have heard estimates ranging from 6 pounds corn/1 pound beef to 20 pounds corn/1 pound beef. Can you clarify?

You ask a really good question. There are reasons why you have heard many numbers because it depends a bit on production practices and your definition of a pound of beef. An old rule of thumb is that it requires …