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Beefmaster Excels in USDA Feed Efficiency Evaluation

by Joe Mask | Published August 7, 2017

 

BOERNE, Texas – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducted a feed efficiency evaluation at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb., on 18 beef cattle breeds. The feed efficiency test results ranked the Beefmaster breed second for Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Dry Matter Intake (DMI) in both steers and heifers.

The USMARC study evaluated a group of 5,606 head of cattle and the group was composed of both finishing steers and growing replacement heifers. The study collected data for DMI, ADG and Post Weaning Gain (PWG). DMI and ADG data was recorded over 62 to 148 day periods for both steers and heifers. PWG was calculated by dividing gain from weaning to yearling weights by the number of days between the weights. Individual animal feed intake data was measured daily, as a key component of the evaluation. All animals used were from the USMARC germplasm evaluation project.

Using the Angus breed as a base of zero (0), the other 17 breeds were compared back to Angus as a baseline for both steers and heifers, and then were evaluated for efficiency using ADG and PWG during feed intake data collection. Beefmasters ranked second for ADG in both steers and heifers, thus proving that Beefmaster cattle excel in feed efficiency. The impact of feed efficiency on cattle feeders is significant and identifying genetics that gain more, while eating less feed is a recipe for profitability.

“Beefmasters are gaining attention as the beef industry begins to seek out efficiency genetics to bridge the gap to optimal, cost effective production practices,” says Beefmaster Breeders United Executive Vice President Bill Pendergrass. “Beefmasters have been long regarded as a versatile maternal breed, but this feed efficiency study points out that Beefmasters bring significant value drivers to the cattle feeder as well.”

View the entire study here USMARC Feed Efficiency Trial 2017

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, follow us on Instagram, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter , as well as receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

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Beefmaster Breeders United (www.beefmasters.org), located in Boerne, Texas, is a not-for-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members. Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production and hardiness.

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