Work from our colleagues at Agscent and US-based researchers suggests that the beef industry can increase productivity and limit climate impacts with a new suite of tools and data collected in the paddock.
Dr Troy Rowan, a geneticist at the University of Tennessee, is working in genomics and measurement technology to better understand food efficiency in forage-based systems. His end goal is to provide a suite of tools that allows producers to breed cattle adapted to their specific local environment, driving up productivity and reducing emissions in the process.
Dr Rowan views methane emissions and CO2 from individual animals as reliable indicators of metabolism and feed efficiency.
Adjacent research suggests that cattle with a lower residual feed intake (RFI) produce 15-25% less methane. Work at the University of Colorado shows that variations of 30% or more are visible in animals of the same breed and diet.
He says visual assessment and basic measurements used to select breeding stock (in US production systems), such as size, are limited. And if the industry can effectively assess metabolism and feed conversion efficiency, the result will be a significant reduction in feed costs and improved environmental impacts.
This is important work for the sector. Our customers are starting to look at our emissions (see article here), but if we can reduce emissions and create efficiencies, that’s a win-win for the industry.
Read the full article here – Unlocking cow efficiency to increase productivity with climate benefits.