Video of research on cow efficiency - must see

[djinwa]

Okay, in June I started a thread asking if anyone measures how much their cow eats so they know how efficient she is producing so many pounds of calf. Not much response.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=77921

Anyway, ran across this video showing research they are undergoing where they measure cow's feed intake. He says it hasn't been done before. He must have read my thread.

In one example showed significant differences between two cows in pounds of feed per pounds of calf weaned.

Which can lead to better selection and more profit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6hSQMz8hyo

 

[Brute 23]

That is a great study. I always nod and smile when people tell me how much their great white calves brought at the barn. Thats all fine and dandy but unless you tell me what it could you to produce those pounds its just wizzin in the wind. ;-)

I purposely go after hardy cattle that may have too much ear and may not have enought white because I believe the lower input effects the equation more than the slightly higher, potential, pounds gained.

 

[djinwa]

I haven't been able to get on the site for a few days.

Sure thought there'd be more interest in this.

Like you say, Brute, seems most only care how big their calves are, but not the cost of getting them.

Kind of like people who only tell you how much they won at the casino, but not their losses.

 

[Brute 23]

Idk either... thought this was one of the better posts to come across the board in a while. :???:

 

[WarEagle73]

I'm interested to see what else comes out of this study. What they show in the video is just proof of what has been known for years, smaller cattle tend to be more efficient. Now if they can show that some cattle are more efficient than others that are the same weight, frame and body type then they might be on to something. Either way its a great study that will give scientific proof that extension agents and universities can use to prove why we shouldn't be running 1600 elephant sized cows.

 

[CottageFarm]

Idk either... thought this was one of the better posts to come across the board in a while. :???:

Several others thought so too, but it digressed...
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=78881

 

[3waycross]

Is there an echo in here?

 

[Brute 23]

:lol2: Maybe one of these days I'll have time to read ALL the sections.

 

[Anonymous]

In the AI class last week there was talk that one of the semen suppliers was working on a feed effiencency epd. Probably abs since they were co sponsors.
I found it interesting that effiency was even being considered as an epd simply because the heritability of feed efficiency is so low from what the experts can tell.

 

[djinwa]

Idk either... thought this was one of the better posts to come across the board in a while. :???:

Several others thought so too, but it digressed...
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=78881

Oops, my bad. I, too need to get to all the forums. Guess I didn't see it as a health/nutrition issue, but then maybe it's not a beginner issue.