Vytelle Feed Efficiency Systems Ltd. builds advanced animal agriculture systems to help producers optimize their operations. Vytelle’s advanced data acquisition platform features integrated hardware and software analytics that provide producers with data to make better decisions for their operations. Today, Vytelle is helping to raise more efficient, environmentally friendly and healthier animals in 22 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces and on farms in Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Uruguay, Namibia, South Africa, New Zealand and across Europe.
Why Feed Efficiency? Approximately 55 to 75% of the total costs associated with beef cattle production are feed costs (NRC, 2000; Arthur et al., 2001a; Basarab et al., 2002). A 5% decrease in feed efficiency could have an economic impact four times greater than a 5% improvement in average daily gain (Basarab et al., 2002). In feedlot studies demonstrated that a 10% improvement in average daily gain (ADG) as a result of a 7% increase in appetite improved profitability 18%, whereas a 10% improvement in feed efficiency returned a 43% increase in profits (Fox et al., 2001).
What should I select for? Dry Matter Intake (DMI) Feed Conversion (F/C) or Residual Feed Intake (RFI) When selecting bulls for a terminal cross breeding system we suggest applying more selection pressure on DMI and F/C, while still selecting for cattle with exceptional growth, muscle and carcass quality. If you happen to be more maternally focused or plan to keep daughters of these bulls then applying more selection pressure to RFI may make more sense. We recommend selecting cattle how you normally would. Select the ones that work for your program and environment, yet simply select for the ones who eat less doing it.
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