Relationship between Feed Efficiency Measures during the Heifer Development Stage and Measures Taken During First Lactation in Purebred Angus—Second Year Progress Report

摘要

Angus first-calf heifers were evaluated for feed intake utilizing the Feed Intake Monitoring System developed at ISU. Average dry matter intake for the feeding period was 3904 pounds with a 3100 pound difference in dry matter intakes from the lowest to the highest intake female in year one while in year two there was over a 1425 lb difference in dry matter intake. This quantified to low to high spread in daily dry matter intake was 17.5 to 46.6 pounds. Feed intake during first year lactations between negative and positive RFI groups appears small after two years of observation.