Selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle results in bigger cows that eat more
R. M. Herd
A B * and V. H. Oddy A B
A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Livestock Industry Centre, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Animal Production Science 63(13) 1272-1287 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN22342
Submitted: 2 September 2022 Accepted: 17 May 2023 Published: 7 June 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Measurement of weight provides the basis of most performance-recording schemes for beef cattle around the world. The limitation of faster growth rate as a breeding objective, without considering changes in mature-cow weight, is the expected increase in cow size and, hence, feed requirements.
Aims: To measure the correlated changes in feed intake and efficiency of cows, calves and the cow–calf unit following divergent selection for growth rate.
Methods: The cows and their calves came from three lines of Angus cattle selected for either fast weight gain to yearling age (the High-line), slow weight gain (the Low-line), or from an unselected Control-line. Efficiency was evaluated over an annual production cycle. Individual cow weights and feed intakes, and calf growth and feed intake (including milk), were recorded. Milk production, milk composition and body composition were also measured so that correlated changes in efficiency of use of energy and nitrogen could be determined.
Key results: The High-line cows were 18% (P < 0.05) heavier than the Low-line cows at the start and consumed 7% (P < 0.05) more feed than did the Low-line cows. Feed efficiency of the cow–calf unit was 12% higher (P < 0.05) in the High-line cows and calves than in the Low-line cows and calves. When compared on the basis of feed used relative to their weight and weight gain there was no difference (P > 0.05) between the selection lines. Divergent selection was accompanied by a change in body composition, with the High-line cows containing proportionally less protein and more fat in their bodies than did the Low-line cows. There was no evidence for change in the efficiency of feed energy use, but there was a 10% (P < 0.05) improvement in nitrogen efficiency of the cow–calf unit in the High-line compared with the Low-line.
Conclusions: Divergent selection for weight gain led to a correlated change in cow size and cow feed requirements.
Implications: This experiment supported the consensus among earlier reviews that there is little evidence that selection for growth rate or size, without moderating change in mature-cow weight, is associated with improved efficiency of feed energy use in maternal beef breeds.
Keywords: body composition, EBV, energy efficiency, fat, feed conversion efficiency, milk composition, milk production, nitrogen efficiency, protein.
References
Aaron DK, Frahm RR, Buchanan DS (1986) Direct and correlated responses to selection for increased weaning or yearling weight in Angus cattle. II. Evaluation of response. Journal of Animal Science 62, 66–76.| Direct and correlated responses to selection for increased weaning or yearling weight in Angus cattle. II. Evaluation of response.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
ARC (1980) ‘The nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock.’ (Agricultural Research Council, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux: Farnham Royal, UK)
Archer JA, Richardson EC, Herd RM, Arthur PF (1999) Potential for selection to improve efficiency of feed use in beef cattle: a review. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 50, 147–161.
| Potential for selection to improve efficiency of feed use in beef cattle: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arthur PF, Parnell PF, Richardson EC (1997) Correlated responses in calf body weight and size to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle. Livestock Production Science 49, 305–312.
| Correlated responses in calf body weight and size to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arthur PF, Archer JA, Johnston DJ, Herd RM, Richardson EC, Parnell PF (2001) Genetic and phenotypic variance and covariance components for feed intake, feed efficiency, and other postweaning traits in Angus cattle. Journal of Animal Science 79, 2805–2811.
| Genetic and phenotypic variance and covariance components for feed intake, feed efficiency, and other postweaning traits in Angus cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barlow R (1984) Selection for growth and size in ruminants: is it time for a moratorium? In ‘Proceedings of the second world congress sheep and cattle breeding’, Pretoria, South Africa, 16–19 April 1984. Vol. 1. (Eds JH Hofmeyr, EHH Meyer) pp. 1–12. (South African Stud Book and Livestock Improvement Association)
Bird PR, Flinn PC, Cayley JWD, Watson MJ (1982) Body composition of live cattle and its prediction from fasted liveweight, tritiated water space and age. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 33, 375–387.
| Body composition of live cattle and its prediction from fasted liveweight, tritiated water space and age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blaxter KL (1962) The fasting metabolism of adult wether sheep. British Journal of Nutrition 16, 615–626.
| The fasting metabolism of adult wether sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dickerson G (1983) Potential genetic improvements in the efficiency of beef production. In ‘Proceedings of an international symposium on beef production’, Kyoto, Japan. (Ed. Y Yamada) pp. 85–119.
Freer M, Dove H, Nolan JV (2007) ‘Nutrient requirements of domesticated ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publications: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Herd RM (1992) A computerised individual feeding system for beef cattle. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 7, 261–267.
| A computerised individual feeding system for beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Herd RM (1995) Effect of divergent selection for yearling growth rate on the maintenance feed requirements of mature Angus cows. Livestock Production Science 41, 39–49.
| Effect of divergent selection for yearling growth rate on the maintenance feed requirements of mature Angus cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Herd RM, Archer JA, Arthu PF (1997) The effect of divergent selection for yearling growth rate on growth at pasture and final size of Angus steers. In ‘Proceedings of the 12th conference of the association for the advancement of animal breeding and genetics’, Dubbo, NSW, Australia. (Ed. B Pattie) pp. 323–327. (The Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics). Available at http://www.aaabg.org/proceedings/1997/AB97068.pdf
Herd RM, Velazco JI, Smith H, Arthur PF, Hine B, Oddy H, Dobos RC, Hegarty RS (2019) Genetic variation in residual feed intake is associated with body composition, behavior, rumen, heat production, hematology, and immune competence traits in Angus cattle. Journal of Animal Science 97, 2202–2219.
| Genetic variation in residual feed intake is associated with body composition, behavior, rumen, heat production, hematology, and immune competence traits in Angus cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Irgang R, Dillard EU, Tess MW, Robison OW (1985) Selection for weaning weight and postweaning gain in hereford cattle. III. Correlated responses to selection in milk yield, preweaning and postweaning traits. Journal of Animal Science 60, 1156–1164.
| Selection for weaning weight and postweaning gain in hereford cattle. III. Correlated responses to selection in milk yield, preweaning and postweaning traits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jenkins TG, Ferrell CL (1984) A note on lactation curves of crossbred cows. Animal Science 39, 479–482.
| A note on lactation curves of crossbred cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li L, Oddy VH, Nolan JV (2008) Whole-body protein metabolism and energy expenditure in sheep selected for divergent wool production when fed above or below maintenance. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 657–665.
| Whole-body protein metabolism and energy expenditure in sheep selected for divergent wool production when fed above or below maintenance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oddy VH (1999) Protein metabolism and nutrition in farm animals: an overview. In ‘Protein metabolism and nutrition’. (Eds GE Lobley, A White, JC MacRae) pp. 9–23. (European Association for Animal Production: Wageningen, Netherlands)
Oddy VH, Herd RM, McDonagh MB, Woodgate R, Quinn CA, Zirkler K (1998) Effect of divergent selection for yearling growth rate on protein metabolism in hind-limb muscle and whole body of Angus cattle. Livestock Production Science 56, 225–231.
| Effect of divergent selection for yearling growth rate on protein metabolism in hind-limb muscle and whole body of Angus cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oddy VH, Harper GS, Greenwood PL, McDonagh MB (2001) Nutritional and developmental effects on the intrinsic properties of muscles as they relate to the eating quality of beef. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 41, 921–942.
| Nutritional and developmental effects on the intrinsic properties of muscles as they relate to the eating quality of beef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parnell PF (2015) Has the beef genetic improvement pipeline been effective? In ‘Proceedings of the 21st conference of the association for the advancement of animal breeding and genetics’, Lorne, Vic., Australia. (Ed. I Macleod) pp. 221–224. (The Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics). Available at http://www.aaabg.org/aaabghome/AAABG21papers/Parnell21221.pdf
Parnell PF, Morris CA (1994) A review of Australian and New Zealand selection experiments for growth and fertility in beef cattle. In ‘Proceedings of the 5th world congress of genetics applied to livestock production. Vol. 19’, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. (Ed. C Smith) pp. 20–27. (Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Guelph). Available at http://www.wcgalp.org/system/files/proceedings/1994/review-australian-and-new-zealand-selection-experiments-growth-and-fertility-beef-cattle.pdf
Parnell PF, Arthur PF, Barlow R (1997) Direct response to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle. Livestock Production Science 49, 297–304.
| Direct response to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Perry D, Arthur PF (2000) Correlated responses in body composition and fat partitioning to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle. Livestock Production Science 62, 143–153.
| Correlated responses in body composition and fat partitioning to divergent selection for yearling growth rate in Angus cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pullar JD, Webster AJF (1977) The energy cost of fat and protein deposition in the rat. British Journal of Nutrition 37, 355–363.
| The energy cost of fat and protein deposition in the rat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
SAS (2022) ‘SAS STAT software, version 9.4 of SAS OnDemand for academics.’ (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC, USA)
Taylor CS (1980) Genetic size-scaling rules in animal growth. Animal Science 30, 161–165.
| Genetic size-scaling rules in animal growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson JM, Parks JR, Perry D (1985a) Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight. 1. Food intake, food efficiency and growth. Animal Science 40, 55–70.
| Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight. 1. Food intake, food efficiency and growth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson JM, Butterfield RM, Perry D (1985b) Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight. 2. Chemical and dissectible body composition. Animal Science 40, 71–84.
| Food intake, growth and body composition in Australian Merino sheep selected for high and low weaning weight. 2. Chemical and dissectible body composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tyrrell HF, Reid JT (1965) Prediction of the energy value of cow’s milk. Journal of Dairy Science 48, 1215–1223.
| Prediction of the energy value of cow’s milk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walmsley BJ, Henzell AL, Barwick SA (2017) Genetic trends in the estimated feed intake of Angus cattle. In ‘Proceedings of the 22nd Conference of the association for the advancement of animal breeding and genetics’, Townsville, Qld, Australia. (Ed. L Porto-Neto) pp. 61–64. (The Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics). Available at http://www.aaabg.org/aaabghome/AAABGproceedings22book.pdf
Wright IA, Russel AJF (1984a) Partition of fat, body composition and body condition score in mature cows. Animal Science 38, 23–32.
| Partition of fat, body composition and body condition score in mature cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wright IA, Russel AJF (1984b) Estimation in vivo of the chemical composition of the bodies of mature cows. Animal Science 38, 33–44.
| Estimation in vivo of the chemical composition of the bodies of mature cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
