BARNSCOOP
Well-known member
I would like to see examples of cattle that just by phenotype would most likely have a high fed conversion. Could you please explain what to look for and why?
cmf1":2lwya6qa said:From what I have learned and am still learning about phenotyping, I think you have to specify feed type.
It seems to me that an animal that converts grass well has different phenotype than that which converts grains, than that which converts a mixture, and so on.
Seems also that end use would dictate feed and phenotype, i.e., you could make efficient grass converter plump large on feed for butchering, but maybe not so good for gowing out herd replacements, and long term use?
I am really interested to see what other input you get on this post because to me it seems like a cornerstone for profitability.
cmf1":3phpsmcj said:Nova.
You have my interest up.
Do your long ears and humps convert grass, grain or both. And how do you define good conversion.
I've got some tigerstripes that are hit and miss with conversion but make some of the best babies around.
sure do thats one of their suit's,, but if your talking about the the f1 tigers momas body condition are fleshing ability, ive had the same thing in the past,,TexasBred":1eewanj2 said:cmf1":1eewanj2 said:Nova.
You have my interest up.
Do your long ears and humps convert grass, grain or both. And how do you define good conversion.
I've got some tigerstripes that are hit and miss with conversion but make some of the best babies around.
Bet they're converting something to lots of milk. ;-)
cmf1":2jfl4wnw said:I agree they are two different animals. (pun intended)
Feed conversion is nothing more than being able to convert feed to energy.
Feed efficiency is converting less feed to the more energy.
ie: one cow takes 15 pounds of feed to add one pound of animal
another cow takes 8 pounds of feed to add one pound of animal
What I'm looking for now are animals that can convert grass to energy while maitaining good condition.
I want to buy as little grain as possible from here on out. Too many stock market weasels in charge of the fluctuating prices. Grass price is easier for me to control.
While I am achieving that, I want to pay attention to which animals seem to do that most efficiently. I've heard that ultrasound can give RFI indications but I'm just getting started down this path so I'm not totaly sure how to decide the more efficient converters as yet.
But from what I understand and what I myself have seen, I believe that you can choose particular feed conversion phenotypically.
I'm willing to try because the upside looks much more profitable than grain and salebarns.
The downside would be grain and salebarns, what I've been doing anyway.
Brahman and Hereford are both known for their efficiency. This may be true as a general rule but as with any breed you have to be selective. I personally like to see cattle with heavy calves that still maintain their body condition. When you have weather conditions as we have now severe drought, cattle must be able to hustle what ever low quality forage that is available. I have found that these same cattle raise calves that do well when fed. My average is 2.83lbs. per day weaning weight. I cannot give you any figures on the calves in the feed lot but the buyers say they do well.cmf1":rv74apkk said:Nova.
You have my interest up.
Do your long ears and humps convert grass, grain or both. And how do you define good conversion.
I've got some tigerstripes that are hit and miss with conversion but make some of the best babies around.