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Improving Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
This project is research and education in nature with the goal of developing and
delivering technologies to improve conversion efficiency in beef cattle.
Improvement in feed efficiency (unit of weight gain achieved per unit of feed
consumed) can have a large impact on improving ranch profitability as
feed/forage costs represent the largest expenditure in a typical beef
Livestock Nutrition/Forage Utilization This project involves research trials and education programs focusing on beef cattle nutrition and forage utilization, primarily pasture forages. Emphasis is placed on maximizing the use of pasture forage for beef cattle production and minimizing the use of harvested (i.e. hay) and purchased feed. The evaluation of both improved cultivars and existing adapted forage species for palatability and nutritional quality are emphasized. While the goal is to minimize outside feed inputs, there are times when supplemental energy or protein feeds are needed; therefore, the evaluation of various beef cattle supplementation programs is another part of this project. The use of locally available feeds and by-products are and will be evaluated in regards to nutritional quality and how to best utilize them in a supplementation program. [Myer, Carter, Blount]
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For IFAS-related
questions or information, please contact IFAS
External Relations.
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cattle
operation. Additionally, improving feed efficiency may potentially
limit/reduce some factors that may negatively impact environment. Research
and education programs within this project will focus on (1) genetic selection
for improved feed efficiency and its relationship with other economically
important traits such as average daily gain, and (2) nutritional and
environmental factors that influence feed efficiency. This project
integrates animal breeding and genetics, beef cattle management and nutrition,
economics, and the environmental sciences. [