The Value of Efficiency Both feed efficiency and RFI are approximately 35% heritable. The level of correlations between costs and RFI observed at the Tucumcari Feed Efficiency Test Station, indicate true savings potential from calves out of low RFI bulls. Therefore, selecting bulls with good efficiency numbers, should result in efficient calves; both in the feedyard and as replacements on the ranch. With rising feed costs and increased drought, these forage stretcher bulls will help improve the financial and resource status of your ranch.
Figure 1. Comparison of feed efficiency
After five years of data had been collected, feed cost (60 days on feed), and cost of gain (COG) were evaluated in yearling bulls (Table 2). There is a significant relationship trend between RFI and COG and total feed cost. Cost of gain ranged from $.58 for -3 RFI rated bulls to over $.81 in bulls rating a +3. This translates to significant savings in feed costs. Negative rating RFI bulls saved producers on average $60 per bull in feed over the 60 day feeding period. Results indicate the more negative the RFI, the more cost effective the animal is to feed. RFI values for all the 2024 bulls will be available by March 3, 2025 on the website (tucbulltest.nmsu.edu) or will also be available sale day on the supplemental sheet.
Table 2. Relationship of cost of gain (COG), feed costs, and RFI values.
RFI Value
COG .$.58 $.69 $.81
60-day FEED
≤ - 3.0
$276.49 $316.07 $346.42
0.0
≥ +3.0
Top Ranking Report for Day 67 of the 120 day test! This report provides the raw performance bulls that are performing in the top 10% of their breed contemporary group at the 67-day mark. In the report, bulls are ranked based on average daily gain (ADG) and weight per day of age (WDA) within breed. Not all bulls have intake data at this time, so efficiency was not included. The supplemental sheet will provide all the data (including carcass, frame, and scrotal) from the sale bulls for the 120 day test. The supplemental will be available at the sale and on the tucbulltest.nmsu.edu website, and through the DVAuction website.
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March 8, 2025
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