Limi's a little cheaper to feed

[Red Bull Breeder]

LIMOUSIN FEED CONVERSION…MORE THAN JUST WORDS

Over 460 bulls entered the annual sale at Midland Bull Test in Columbus, Montana from their second feeding group for 2008-2009. There were over 100 bulls that were also tested during the same period but did not enter into the sale. The information on the non-sale bulls is not included in this evaluation. Every bull was efficiency tested on the GrowSafe system. Ten breeds were represented in the second test group. Several of the breeds also included hybrid bulls. The data for those bulls are still included in the breed averages (for example the Gelbvieh-Angus cross bulls are included in the Gelbvieh averages).

The GrowSafe efficiency test runs for 70 days and during that period feed data is obtained on each individual animal. This is real individual data, not pen averages. The bulls are weighed before starting the GrowSafe test and are weighed upon completion of the test. So for that 70 day period the data that is collected is about as accurate as can be gathered.

What did that data show? It showed that Limousin was the #1 breed for feed conversion (converting pounds of Dry Matter Intake (DMI) to pounds of gain). Understand this is not factoring in the actual weights of the bulls. The weights of the bulls are factored into the RFI value, but the RFI data cannot be compared across breeds. The 365 day average weights of the different breeds ranged from 1113 pounds to 1258 pounds with Limousin averaging 1185 pounds (this includes Group 1 and Group 2 sale bulls). So the maintenance requirements for the larger bulls would require more feed intake than lighter bulls. Resources state that bulls at these weights with these average daily gains utilize about 50% of their feed input for maintenance.

Without any adjustments made based on actual weights, Limousin were 0.67 pounds more efficient at converting than the average of the ten breeds. To put that into perspective, it means that for the 70 day period the bulls were on test, the Limousin bulls cost $22.43 less to feed than the average of all the breeds. The Limousin breed was a whopping $46.16 cheaper to feed than Simmental, $36.02 cheaper to feed than Gelbvieh, $24.83 cheaper than Charolais, and $33.26 cheaper than Angus.

Clearly, feed efficiency alone doesn’t mean much. An efficient bull that doesn’t gain doesn’t have much to offer any program. So while the Limousin were not the leading average daily gainers, they were slightly above the ten breed average. The Limousin breed has now shown it can convert very efficiently while maintaining a respectable average daily gain.

Based on this data, we can shed some light on what we might expect from these bulls’ counterparts in a feedlot situation. First, we will assume that the feeder cattle would need to gain 500 pounds to reach an optimum finishing weight. Since each breed gains at a different rate, we must evaluate the cost of feeding them based on the total days it would take that breed to gain 500 pounds. While Limousin did not have the highest average daily gains, their superior efficiency adds more dollars to the bottom line. In fact, it would cost $529.20 to put 500 lbs of gain on Limousin calves versus $589.05 for the 10 breed average. That is a $59.85 per head savings in feed costs. In recent times, this could mean the difference between profit and loss for most cattle feeders.

It is understood this is a small sample. This is also not a detailed statistical analysis, but rather a ballpark look at the issue. It is one data point in a broader set of data that demonstrates the inherent efficiency of Limousin genetics. While many breeds may claim efficiency, the data will tell the ultimate story. The data in this case shows the Limousin breed IS the breed of feed conversion efficiency.


DATA FROM MIDLAND BULL TEST 2008-2009 TEST GROUP #2 SALE BULLS

Breed Head Efficiency Cost Cost ADG Days Feed Cost
lb feed/lb gain per day feed for RFI test during RFI test to gain 500lb for 500 lb gain
Angus 245 6.45 3.58 250.58 3.70 162.2 580.50
Red Angus 52 6.83 3.60 251.72 3.51 170.9 614.70
South Devon 40 6.02 3.24 226.92 3.59 167.1 541.80
Saler 70 6.49 3.28 229.65 3.37 178.0 584.10
Murray Grey 14 7.38 3.30 230.92 2.98 201.3 664.20
Charolais 12 6.25 3.46 242.16 3.69 162.6 562.50
Limousin 12 5.88 3.10 217.32 3.52 170.5 529.20
Simmental 14 6.99 3.76 263.49 3.59 167.1 629.10
Maine Anjou 2 6.76 3.31 231.39 3.26 184.0 608.40
Gelbvieh 6 6.40 3.62

 

[JHH]

What! no herefords on that test?

Seen some Limi-hereford cross calves the other day. They sure looked good. Sold good to.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

No Herefords JHH wish there had of been. When you cross the best at feed converison with the most efficient you should have bell ringers. Sure would have liked to have seen those calves.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

May be your neighbor needs to get him some better cows. I don't pull calves i raise cows that can have calves. You need to remember there is two sides to the calf a sire and a dam. Average birth weight on my calves bulls and heifer calves is 80 lb.

 

[angus9259]

May be your neighbor needs to get him some better cows. I don't pull calves i raise cows that can have calves. You need to remember there is two sides to the calf a sire and a dam. Average birth weight on my calves bulls and heifer calves is 80 lb.

My ABS rep had 8 straws of ROMN Tank Truck in her tank. His first crop averaged 73 lbs - interesting but far from "high accuracy" at this point. He is homo for F94L and polled. I'm tempted to try him on some angus heifers. Thanks for the info on feed efficiencies. Any idea how they sold?

 

[haase]

Good post RBB, Bob Hough was talking about feed efficiency in the limousin breed on cattleman to cattleman being a well kept secret, but it wont be for long. I think Bob is going to be a good addition to Nalf.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Angus9259 I would say the Romn Tank bull would work just fine for you a trial run with the limflex calves. You should get some fine calves. JHH is the one who saw the limixhereford calves,he said they sold good. The six straws of the Tank bull should be enough to let you if you want to do more.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

There is a bunch of us that think Bob is a great addition to Nalf hasse. Laura's Lean Beef and Meyers Natural Angus has a new program out that sounds good. Have not got all the info on it yet but they are looking hard for red calves that fit either program.

 

[Willow Springs]

We have known for years that the higher lean meat yield cattle had better feed conversion. We raised Blonde d'Aquitaine in the 80's and 90's and our bulls routinely beat every other breed for feed conversion at the bull tests. Limo's are in the same category. Lower fat, less organ mass, higher cutability. That leads to better feed conversion and better RFI. It is also one of the reasons that the British cattle make better range cows; more fat, more organ mass (specifically rumen volume). Would have been simpler to just use the breeds for what they were for instead of trying to make them all the same as each other.

 

[MO_cows]

12 head on one test doesn't change the world but similar results from other tests to go with it will be compelling. Congrat's to the Limi breeders, I'll bet it makes you feel good.

 

[haase]

12 head,where did you get that from?

 

[angus9259]

We have known for years that the higher lean meat yield cattle had better feed conversion. We raised Blonde d'Aquitaine in the 80's and 90's and our bulls routinely beat every other breed for feed conversion at the bull tests. Limo's are in the same category. Lower fat, less organ mass, higher cutability. That leads to better feed conversion and better RFI. It is also one of the reasons that the British cattle make better range cows; more fat, more organ mass (specifically rumen volume). Would have been simpler to just use the breeds for what they were for instead of trying to make them all the same as each other.

Interesting argument. Both the NALF and Simi organizations are promoting the idea of crossbreeding with Angus. It seems you would disagree with cross breeding to "take advantage of both" so to speak?

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Mo_cows Limi breeders have known for years that Limis convert feed as good as any and better than most. Lots of studies to prove that, this is just a new one i ran across.
Willow springs i would have to agree with you on trying to make them all the same. But while there is a lot of limis that still don't have the guts they need, there is abunch that does.

 

[alacattleman]

I am not trying to bash limi's mind you as his are probably not the norm and he is an idiot that became a millionaire at 21 cuz his daddy was rich. Never worked a day in his life, never messes with the cows, has a 80 year old herdsman that pulls all the calves and gets paid nothing.

bet the herdsman is his daddy

 

[alacattleman]

does the old man have a anchor tied too his ass?

 

[Willow Springs]

Interesting argument. Both the NALF and Simi organizations are promoting the idea of crossbreeding with Angus. It seems you would disagree with cross breeding to "take advantage of both" so to speak?

That is exactly my point. Run British cows and breed them continental. Don't try to make Angus terminal as well as maternal, and vice versa. We have terminal breeds to do that, and then we also get the hybrid vigour advantage. Of course they have to be a bit of both traits in all animals, but I don't think we need to swing the pendulum too far.

 

[novatech]

People in the south have been using terminal Angus bulls on Brahman cross cattle for years with very good results. Don't see why it would not work with Limi's

 

[alacattleman]

does the old man have a anchor tied too his ass?

No,

He is thinking about quitting. He has no formal education and could not find work elsewhere. Hes a good ole boy but why he takes this fellers crap is beyond me. He must be getting payed to darn good. Heck he built a house here a couple years ago that was 150,000 dollars so he must be doing alright. I offered him a job but he turned me down.

a few post back you said he got nothing

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

tncattle467 did you even look at the first post on this thread??

 

[Cattleman200]

has a 80 year old herdsman that pulls all the calves and gets paid nothing.

He is thinking about quitting. He has no formal education and could not find work elsewhere. Hes a good ole boy but why he takes this fellers crap is beyond me. He must be getting payed to darn good. Heck he built a house here a couple years ago that was 150,000 dollars so he must be doing alright. I offered him a job but he turned me down.
Which one is it or are you making all this up?

Circle H Ranch