MORE with less
SELECTING FOR EFFICIENCY AND REDUCED COST The stakeholders of the US beef business have selected for output traits over the past 50+ years and have been extremely successful in this effort. The quantity of beef produced, both per animal and per acre has grown to a level unmatched in the world as a result of genetic and management improvements. However, as we reach output trait thresholds that are increasingly difficult to top without unwanted consequences, we are compelled to more intensively consider opportunities that focus on the cost or input side of the profit equation. Research over 20 years ago demonstrated that a 10% improvement in gain results in an 18% improvement in profit, whereas a 10% improvement in efficiency resulted in a 43% improvement in profit. If you’re in the cattle business today, you understand that the cost of feed and pasture is probably not going to get “cheap” again, and certainly recognize the impact these input costs have on your bottom-line. Fortunately, technology for measuring individual animal intake and efficiency has advanced and is considerably more affordable and simpler to use than just a few years ago. Improving feed efficiency, much like other traits, is relatively straightforward. Research indicates feed efficiency is a moderately heritable trait, and thus, selecting genetics that are more efficient will pass on to the next generation. The key is finding seedstock partners, like Bridle Bit and the Cook Family, that are embracing this opportunity to identify efficient genetics, and ultimately have those genetics generate value for their customers and the industry. Selecting for efficiency doesn’t mean you have to give up growth, carcass merit, or maternal values. The goal is to find the cattle that continue to excel in performance, but simply are able to do so with a lower feed or forage requirement. “ Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) This is a very easy to understand efficiency measurement that tells you how much feed (lbs of dry matter) were required for a pound of gain. Cattle that excel in FCR tend to also excel for growth traits, and can lower your cost of gain significantly. As a note, selection for cattle solely based on FCR, can indirectly increase growth, but also mature cow size. Residual Feed Intake (RFI) RFI is a bit trickier to understand, but is very useful as an efficiency measurement. RFI is the difference between an animal’s actual intake and its expected intake based on the animal’s gain, body weight and composition. Essentially, RFI evaluates how much feed should be required for an animal of a given size and level of performance. Cattle that eat “less” than expected will have a negative RFI, which is desirable. RFI is more closely linked with biological efficiency, and is independent of growth and mature size. For ranches that select low RFI genetics, resulting replacement females will require less feed to maintain, and long term can potentially increase stocking rate. Ranches that also retain ownership of calves will likely want to couple this selection with growth and performance traits to ensure feedyard performance meets expectations. With today’s input costs, identifying cattle that can do more with less is critical. The commitment the Bridle Bit team has made to focus their program on efficient, economically relevant genetics, without a doubt, positions them to help their customers remain profitable in the years to come. - Ted Cunningham
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