not to hijack another thread currently discussed on the forum, i would like to see what others think about an idea i've been kicking around concerning easy keepers. first of all, i raise all my own replacement heifers. they all have the conformation, disposition, frame size, etc. that i want - but they are not always easy keepers as i would like them to be. green springs bull test station has introduced RFI measurements at their facility of which i plan to take advantage of in the fall '08. what i would also like to do is an RFI test on replacement heifer prospects. it would seem to me that if an animal can effectively convert feed test rations into pounds of gain, that same animal should also excell in the pasture (easy keeper). although the cost for RFI testing heifers would initially be a set-back, the hope is that the future progeny of RFI tested Bulls & Cows would be genetically superior to what i am now raising and the dams would cost less to maintain, producing a future overall savings. any thoughts?
ROB
ROB