Investment in our Future and Yours
We upgraded our GrowSafe feed-monitor- ing system in 2023 to include the GrowSafe Beef System (Pictured left). This technology continually monitors the weight and the daily water consump- tion of the bulls on test. This additional data short- ens the testing period and also increases the data accuracy. We didn’t get the test results on the Angus bulls in the catalog as they are still on test. The info will be available on sale day. With feed and pasture rent prices constantly rising, the ability to produce 10-15% more beef with the same resources is more important than ever. Since adding the system 15 years ago, we have increased our cowherd’s feed efficiency from 5-10% by identifying good RFI sires and expand - ing their influence on our ranch. Take advantage of our investment and put GrowSafe data to work on your ranch!
GrowSafe Beef System (top) and GrowSafe bunks (bottom)
Understanding Feed Efficiency and Residual Feed Intake
Feed is a major expense for cattle producers, second only to fixed costs. With 60-plus percent of the total feed cost used for maintenance in breeding cows, improving feed efficiency can have a big economic impact. A 5% improvement in feed efficiency could have an economic effect four times greater than a 5% improvement in ADG. Research over 20 years ago demonstrated that a 10% improvement in efficiency resulted in 43% improvement in profit! What is residual Feed Intake? Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is defined as the difference between an animal’s actual feed intake and its expected feed requirements for maintenance and growth. RFI is the variation in feed intake that remains after the requirements for maintenance and growth have been met. RFI is calclulated as the actual intake of the animal minus its expected intake. A negative RFI number of 2 (-2) would mean the animal consumed 2 lbs. less feed per day than the average of the group it was tested with (its contemporary group). Likewise, a positive 2 RFI value (+2) would mean that the animal consumed 2 lbs. more feed than the average animal did in the test group. Efficient animals eat less than expected and have a negative or low RFI, while inefficient animals eat more than expected and have a positive or high RFI. Just like a golf score, you’re looking for the lowest number or the animals with negative RFI numbers. How is Feed Efficiency Measured? The data required to measure RFI are individual animal intake, ADG and average on-test metabolic body weight. Animals are measured in a GrowSafe equipped station for a period of about 60 days. ADG and average body weight are both computed from body weight data of animals measured during the on-test period. ADG is computed as the change in body weight per day during the intake test period. A GrowSafe feed intake system electronically monitors the feed bunk each second of the day recording all cattle feeding activity at the bunk. Data records cannot be changed or altered. Good or bad, GrowSafe numbers don’t lie . A GrowSafe System is an advanced data acquisition that: --reads animal and non-animal activity at the bunk every second of the day. --reads an EID (animal RFID ear tag) every second when an animal is consuming feed. --identifies when feed is consumed and a tag is not recorded. --records feed disappearance from the trough load cells every second of the day. --records substance appearance into the trough (feed, rain, snow). --uses data auditing software to automatically and continuously to confirm whether the data is valid.
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