Breeding for Feed Efficiency Will Positively Affect Your Bottom Dollar 

Cattle producers often turn to average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion, or reproduction when targeting improved efficiency,” says Dr. Jason Osterstock, Vytelle Chief Science Officer. Dr Osterstock is an internationally recognized leader in animal genetics and has worked at the intersection of animal health, genomic technologies, and animal production for two decades. He has been at the forefront of the development and commercialization of the leading genomic tools in the cattle industry.  

“While they all have a place, focusing on feed efficiency traits is critical as it zeroes in on both the cost of feed and the value of gain. This pursuit can truly help an operation’s bottom line,” states Osterstock.  

Growing the numbers  

Many operations that were forced to decrease their numbers due to drought and rising input costs are currently considering rebuilding their herds. This challenge offers a unique opportunity to emphasize genetic traits like feed efficiency.   

The most recent USDA inventory sets the U.S. beef cow herd number at 28.2 million on Jan 1, 2024, down 2%, or 700,000 head from the previous year.   

Retained replacement heifers were estimated at 4.86 million, down 1% from 2023.   

Osterstock explains when a producer selects a replacement heifer as part of a rebuild, they effectively commit to that heifer for 10 years. Depending on calf prices, she must wean 5 calves before all costs are recovered and she begins contributing to the herd’s bottom line.  

“If we choose the wrong heifer, we’re paying the consequences for years. Choose right and reap the rewards for years,” he says.  

Keys to the right choices  

“Cattle owners understand feed is the biggest check they’ll write,” Osterstock says. “Anything they can do to help manage these costs or make better use of feed results in more dollars in pockets. Multiplying these savings across an entire calf crop becomes significant.”  

Residual feed intake (RFI) measures feed efficiency by subtracting the expected maintenance and growth requirements from an animal’s actual intake. Low or negative numbers indicate the most efficient, while higher, positive numbers point to lower efficiency levels.  

Selecting for negative, or superior RFI, results in cattle needing fewer inputs while achieving the same or better growth, production, and body composition.  

“We don’t risk simply building bigger cows like using a feed-to-gain ratio since bigger isn’t always better,” Osterstock says. “That’s the advantage of RFI. Of course, we still need growth as well as traits related to carcass quality and calving ease as part of our genetic selection. RFI is only one, albeit a very important one, part of the equation.”  

Impacting the bottom line  

By focusing on feed efficiency, we can see benefits for the seedstock breeder, cow-calf producer, and feedlot sector, as well as the industry overall. This approach can lead to better productivity and lower costs. 

Seedstock Breeder 

Seedstock breeders drive these benefits as they create the next generation of sires. For example, if Bull A has a 0.5 lb. better RFI score than Bull B, Bull A’s calves will eat 1/2 lb. less than Bull B’s to achieve the same gain. Assuming each bull sires 25 calves per year, and considering total dry matter intake and ration cost with a 3.5 lb. ADG over 150 days, the return difference tops $6,500.  

Cow-Calf Producer 

If we accept females with lower RFI scores are 10% more efficient than the average, a herd will consume roughly 10% less hay or forage to maintain a desired condition. If the average 1200-pound cow eats 24 lbs. daily, a 10% or 2.4 lbs./day savings is realized. Across a 50-cow herd over 100 days, the savings would be 120 lbs./day equaling 12,000 lbs. Beyond feed costs, pasture stocking rates could also be adjusted to optimize grass.  

Feedlot Sector 

In the feedlot, if 2 calves gain at the same rate for 150 days, but one eats 1/2 lb. less each day at an average ration cost of $240 a ton, it saves roughly $9 in input costs.   

USDA data indicates 21.6 million cattle were marketed in 2023 from feedlots larger than 1,000 head consuming approximately 66 billion tons of feed. A 5% reduction from an average of 20 lbs. of intake per head/day equals 3.3 billion tons less feed at 0.12/lb. and an $18.27/head difference in total input costs.   

Overall Beef Industry 

“At an industry level, feed efficiency is exceptionally impactful,” Osterstock says. “The reality is when we’re making genetic change, we’re only controlling or influencing a small portion of those 22 million head and relying on those improved genetics to trickle down into the commercial herd. It becomes more powerful, however, with retained ownership. When we control where the genetics go, we reap the benefits.”  

Vytelle uses the Vytelle SENSE™ system combined with the world’s largest multi-breed database to help producers make the right selections. They test and identify bulls with strong RFI EPD scores. Retaining heifers from these sires will help maintain and build herd efficiency.  

“It’s why we’re confident saying RFI is the right trait to drive feed efficiency and profitability,” Osterstock says. “We ensure our customers have the data, expertise, and phenotypes empowering them to make the right choices.”  

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