New developments for feed efficiency

A much larger experiment to evaluate the performance of cows with superior genetics for feed efficiency is being carried out in the new Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies’ Maternal Productivity Project.

It has already shown that females bred for differences in feed efficiency in NSW displayed the expected difference in efficiency after transport to a different environment in WA.

This year, more Trangie heifers will be sent to Vasse WA to increase the size of the experiment there and, in 2008, another experiment site with Trangie high and low-efficiency heifers will be established at Straun in South Australia.

Over the life of the Beef CRC the heifers will be evaluated for all economically important components of maternal productivity to provide answers on the value of breeding for improved feed efficiency to increasing the sustainability and profitability of their cow herd.

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