Interest in selection for improved feed efficiency is increasing, but before any steps are taken toward selecting for feed efficiency, correlations with other economically important traits must first be quantified. The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic associations between feed efficiency measured during performance testing and linear type traits, BW, live animal value, and ca...

Data from Dorper and Rambouillet ram lambs (n = 79) were used to estimate breed means for postweaning growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency (kilograms of gain divided by kilograms of feed consumed), and residual feed intake on a high concentrate diet during the typical age and weight range for U.S. lamb production. Lambs were progeny of 6 unrelated sires/breed and were born over ...

Feed costs amount to approximately 70% of the total costs in pork production, and feed efficiency is, therefore, an important trait for improving pork production efficiency. Production efficiency is generally improved by selection for high lean growth rate, reduced backfat, and low feed intake. These traits have given an effective slaughter pig but may cause problems in piglet production due to...

No genetic parameters for performance and feed efficiency traits are available for Irish performance-tested bulls. The objective of this study was to determine the phenotypic and genetic variation for feed intake, BW, ADG, and measures of feed efficiency including feed conversion ratio (FCR), relative growth rate, Kleiber ratio, residual BW gain (RG), and residual feed intake (RFI). Observation...

ROWTH rate and efficiency of feed utilization are two of the most economically important characters in the production of meat animals. In these days of world shortage of both plant and animal protein, and with an energy crisis looming on the horizon, the necessity both to reduce maintenance costs by speeding up growth rate and to improve the efficiency of growth by improving the efficiency of c...

Efficiency of beef production is one of those terms that probably means something different to each person discussing the topic. Certainly, efficiency means something different to the packer than to the feeder or cow/calf producer. Beef production practices, and especially breeding, have been largely influenced by feed conversion (one measure of efficiency) in the feedlot and in dressing percen...