Progress 06/01/06 to 05/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Experiments were conducted to discover the association between carcass and meat quality traits, and phenotypic residual feed intake, breed composition, and temperament in Angus-Brahman multibreed cattle. During the past year data has been analyzed and summarized from work completed in 2007-2008 and report in research reports and abstracts. In 2008-2009, data on more than 500 cattle has been collected to provide data to reach our objectives for the project. PARTICIPANTS: G. Cliff Lamb - PI (University of Florida) Mauricio Elzo - CoPI (University of Florida) David Riley - CoPI (USDA-STARS) Travis Maddock - Research Associate (University of Florida Don Jones - Biological Scientist (University of Florida) Harvey Standland - Biological Scientist (University of Florida) TARGET AUDIENCES: Data obtained and reported from this work is targeted for University personnel (including county extension faculty), the beef allied industry, and cattle producers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
It would appear that residual feed intake (RFI) status and breed composition interact when evaluating traits of economic performance, such as carcass composition. Both marbling scores and ultrasound measures of intramuscular fat were impacted by RFI status within breed, as cattle with more Angus influence and lower RFI had lower marbling scores and intramuscular fat. Muscle, as measured by ultrasound, was also impacted by RFI status within breed as Angus cattle with lower RFI had less loin-muscle area than cattle with average or high RFI. Other published studies have reported no or insignificant influence of RFI status on carcass composition, but those studies have mostly been conducted using cattle of British and continental influence and have not included sub-tropically adapted breeds, such as Brahman. These results would indicate that RFI status affects on carcass composition are very different between Angus and Brahman cattle. Since Brahman cattle are the predominant breed adapted to subtropical climates, such as Florida. This information may enhance overall profit potential of cattle in the southeast, by allowing producers to identify cattle that are more efficient and produce cattle that have more value after harvest. In addition, improving efficiency of cattle by 10% will reduce input costs associated with feed, thereby potentially impacting producers in the SE and Gulf Coast regions significantly. State cow/calf enterprise reports estimate that the cost of feed ranges from $170 to $330 (mean $250) per cow. Therefore, a 10% decrease in feed cost could result in a $25 per cow annual savings or, collectively, producers in the SE and Gulf Coast regions $380 million per year.
Publications
- Elzo. M. A., D. D. Johnson, D. G. Riley, G. R. Hansen, G. C. Lamb, R. O. Myer, J. G. Wasdin, and J. D. Driver. 2009. Association between carcass and meat quality traits, and phenotypic residual feed intake, breed composition, and temperament in Angus-Brahman multibreed cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 87(E-Suppl. 2):18.
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Progress 06/01/07 to 05/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Result of this research have been disseminated through presentations of at scientific meetings, producer meetings and through extension professionals. Data from this project was shared with producers and industry representatives at the University of Florida Beef Cattle Short Course and the Florida Cattlemen's Association annual meeting. Results from this research was presented and discussed at the BIF and ASAS meetings this past year. Several other presentations were made to Cattlemen and other professionals throughout the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals from the North Florida Research and Education Center include: Gary Hansen, Bob Meyer, Megan Brew, Charles Nowell, Don Jones, Harvey Standland, and Cliff Lamb. From the University of Florida in Gainesville include: Mauricio Elzo and Duane Johnson. From the USDA/ARS include: David Riley, Chad Chase and Sam Coleman. From the RCREC (Ona) John Arthington, David Arujo, and Reinaldo Cooke.Partner organizations included: University of Florida,USDA STARS, New Mexico State University, and Texas A & M University. Training was provided to Megan Brew in the form of a masters degree. The Florida Cattlemen's Association was a partner organization as they provided cattle and support at the state and federal legislative level. Congressman Alan Boyd work to provide funding throughout this grant. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this grant is cattlemen, extension livestock agents, as well as industry representatives. Training of the audience was provided in the form of presentations at producers meetings, field days and inservice trainings. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This project resulted in a change of knowledge in how individual animals within and between breeds of cattle differ as to feed utilization. Using this information, scientists will be able to train cattle producers to use selection tools that will result in cattle that are 20% more efficient in using feed resources. This will significantly impact cattle producers as a 20% reduce in feed cost without a reduction in production will allow for more sustainable beef cattle herds.
Publications
- M. A. Elzo, D. D. Johnson, D. G. Riley, G. R. Hansen, R. O. Myer, D. O. Rae, J. G. Wasdin & J. D. Driver. 2008. Relationship between carcass traits and phenotypic residual feed intake, breed composition, temperament, and ELISA scores for paratuberculosis in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1).
- M. A. Elzo, D. D. Johnson, D. G. Riley, G. R. Hansen, R. O. Myer, D. O. Rae, J. G. Wasdin & J. D. Driver. 2008. Effect of breed composition, temperament, and ELISA scores for paratuberculosis on phenotypic residual feed intake and growth in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1).
- Elzo, M. A., D. D. Johnson, D. G. Riley, G. R. Hansen, R. O. Myer, D. O. Rae, J. G.Wasdin & J. D. Driver. 2008. Association between breed composition, phenotypic residual feed intake, temperament, ELISA scores for paratuberculosis, and ultrasound carcass traits in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1).
- Araujo, D. B., R. F. Cooke, G. R. Hansen & J. D. Arthington, 2008. Effects of MEGALAC-R inclusion to receiving diets of weaned feeder calves. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 2) 27:7-8.
- Brew, M. N., R. O. Myer, J. N. Carter & G. R. Hansen. 2008. Water intake and factors affecting water intake in growing beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 2) 86:23.
- Brew, M. N., R. O. Myer, J. N. Carter & G. R. Hansen. 2008. Actual versus predicted water intake in growing beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 2) 87:23
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Progress 06/01/06 to 06/01/07
Outputs
Feed efficiency research began on December 6, 2005 when 160 head of Brangus and Brangus cross cattle entered the facility The feed efficiency building structure (120' X 300') has been completed. Concrete work under the first third of the building as well as the center feed alley have been completed. Electrical and plumbing service has been installed in the building. The GrowSafe feeding system has been installed and is operational. Pens for the infrastructure under the building as well as working facilities with the necessary equipment to conduct research have been installed. Work has been completed on the feed commodity barn. Papers are currently been written on the data that has been collected in the facility. Starting on May 31, 2006, was collected on 132 registered Angus bulls from private industry and currently 466 head of tropically adapted cattle from the University of Florida cow herds are in the feed efficiency facility. Research cattle have been and will
continue to be produced through embryo transfer and artificial insemination at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Marianna (NFREC-Marianna) as well as on other cooperating research centers. The NFREC-Marianna currently has 200 recipient cows with approximately 150 cows committed to be donated to this research project from Florida cattle producers. Cooperating research centers have up to 400 head of cattle that will be used in the feed efficiency project.
Impacts
Impact Feed efficiency research conducted at the NFREC-Marianna Feed Efficiency Facility will have a large impact on cattle production across the Southeastern United States as genetic selection in cattle adapted to this area will be the primary focus of the research. This research will result in tropically adapted cattle that are highly efficient reducing production cost for cattle producers while at the same time decreasing animal nutrient waste load as well as reducing methane gas emissions.
Publications
- Hansen, G. R., C. A. Abbey, G. P. Gaile, T. Raudsepp, B. Chowdhary, J. E. Womack & C. A. Gill. 2007. Assignment of Six Genes to Bovine Chromosomes 5 and 16 Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization, Radiation Hybrid Mapping and Genetic Linkage Analysis. Cytogenet Genome Res 116:194-197. (DOI:10.1159/000098186).
- Hansen, G. R., M. A. Elzo, D. G. Riley, S. W. Coleman & J. C. Paschal. 2007. Growth and Feed Efficiency: Utilization of Bos indicus Cattle in Florida Beef Enterprises. Proceeding 56th Annual Beef Cattle Short Course. Gainesville, Florida. 56:41-64.
- Hansen, G. R., G. E. Carstens and D. G. Riley. 2007. Relationship between residual feed intake, water intake and ultrasound body composition traits in Angus bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Suppl. 1).
- Elzo, M. A., G. R. Hansen, J. G. Wasdin, J. D. Driver and J. L. Jones. 2007. Evaluation of post-weaning phenotypic residual feed intake in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd of beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Suppl. 1).
- Riley, D. G., G.R. Hansen, S.W. Coleman and C.C. Chase, Jr. 2007. Residual feed intake and temperament breed differences among Florida heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 85 (Suppl 1).
- Hansen, G. R. 2005. Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. Proceedings 2005 Beef Cattle Field day, NFREC Marianna Extension Report 2005. Marianna, Florida. p.15-24.
- Riley, D. G., Hansen, G. R., Crockett, J. R., Olson, T. A., Chase, C. C. & Franke, D. E. 2005. Florida Crossbreeding Research. In: Symposium on Tropically Adapted Breeds. Regional Project S1013. ASAS Southern Section. Little Rock, AR, February 8, 2005. p. 14-23.
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