SIRE BREED DIFFERENCES FOR NET FEED INTAKE IN FEEDLOT FINISHED BEEF CATTLE

摘要

Individual daily feed intake and live weights were measured on 469 beef cattle representing 9 sire breeds joined to Brahman cows. The aim of this study was to estimate sire-breed differences for daily feed intake and net feed intake (NFI; a measure offeed efficiency). Progeny of European and British breed sires were heavier at the start of the feed test, had higher growth rates and consumed more feed compared to progeny from Brahman and Belmont Red sires. Progeny from Brahman and European sire breeds had significantly lower NFI compared to progeny of Angus, Shorthorn and Belmont Red sire breeds. Hereford and Santa Gertrudis sired progeny had significantly lower NFI compared to Angus and Shorthorn sire breeds.