Early weaning

Early weaning enables produces to distribute feed according to quality – with production stock (stock to be sold off the property.) given access to high quality feed and the non-production stock be given access to lower quality feed. A weaned calf would be converting its feed at about 6:1 kg gain where as a cow and calf is converting at about 20kg of feed per kg of gain.

Why is feed efficiency so important - Popups

Feed Conversion Ratio

Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is the traditional measure of feed efficiency and feedlot performance. This trait is highly correlated with growth rate, which is ideal for cattle entering feedlots; however, studies have shown that selecting cattle based on FCR also will increase mature cow size and change maturity pattern over time. While FCR selection may work well for cattle in feedlots, it can create problems for producers. Larger cows have higher maintenance energy requirements, which means greater feed costs and potentially may affect fertility and hence profitability. 

Residual feed intake (RFI) is an alternative way to look at feed efficiency. It measures variations in feed intake beyond those needed for maintenance and production (for example, growth and lactation). Selecting for RFI has not been shown to increase mature weights or affect other phenotypic traits in cattle. 

Residual Feed Intake (RFI)

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) or net feed efficiency 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. 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. Considerable variation in RFI exists among individual animals within breeds or genetic strains. This variation suggests that substantial progress can be made in RFI since the heritability of the trait is about 40 per cent.

Pregnancy testing

The benefit of pregnancy diagnosis is to allow produces to better manage their cows. If a cow is not pregnant it’s costing you money and eating the grass that is required by the cows growing future. Preg test and sell the empties.  Additionally, producers can split early and late pregnancies into separate mobs to allow for more specific management.  Pregnancy diagnosis also can help determine fertility problems if pregnancy diagnosis rates are low.

Composite breeding

Composites are a population made up of two or more component breeds, designed to retain heterosis (hybrid vigour) in future generations. Composite breeding infers a planned and structured breeding program involving different breeds.

Value of marbling

Marbling is the intramuscular fat (IMF) within the muscle and between the muscle fibres which appears as fine flecks of fat within a muscle. Marbling improves the eating quality of beef, in particular palatability traits such as juiciness and flavour

Mature Cow Weight, Height and Condition Score

At weaning time, we record the weight, height and condition score of every cow in the herd. We have been doing this since 2017. Mature cow weight is a very important profit driver in any beef system and also has a very strong influence on methane production per kilogram of beef produce as well as total feed consumed per kilogram of beef produced.

Time controlled grazing system

Time Control Grazing, unlike rotational grazing, is not calendar based. Instead, stock moves are based on pasture growth rate and its requirement for rest. This grazing management strategy may help to improve pasture condition, increase carrying capacity, assist with drought planning, improve animal performance and increase grazing profitability. However, it does require a high level of management and may require paddock layout changes and subdivision.