Feed represents the largest variable input cost of production, accounting for 51 percent of total production costs, according to the USDA, and is related to enteric methane emissions. This means the greatest potential to improve profitability and environmental sustainability is to improve the ability of dairy cattle to efficiently convert feed into consumer products.
Efficient feed conversion by dairy cattle has a direct impact on the animal’s carbon footprint. With the dairy industry being under intense scrutiny for its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, the industry must recognize the urgency to develop and implement innovative technologies to prepare for potential regulations in the future. STgenetics has seen the huge opportunity to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of dairy production by increasing the feed conversion efficiency of dairy cattle. The EcoFeed® index by STgenetics is an integrated approach to genetic selection based on progeny testing of females to identify sires that produce progeny who consume less feed while maintaining production compared to their herd mates to increase profitability and global sustainability..
How do we define feed conversion efficiency? The EcoFeed® program utilizes a measure of feed conversion efficiency known as residual feed intake (RFI). RFI is a measure that quantifies the variation in feed intake beyond that needed to support maintenance and performance requirements. RFI can be used in multi-trait selection indexes to simultaneously improve both feed conversion efficiency and other economically relevant traits, as it is independent of body size and production. This makes RFI an ideal trait for the EcoFeed® index as STgenetics® strives to create a future in which dairy cattle produce more outputs with fewer inputs, providing farmers with the economic and environmental sustainability necessary for long term success. What does the feed efficiency trait from the Holstein association measure? The feed efficiency trait from the Holstein Association is a measure of potential net profit a farmer may receive from an increase in production. This trait is calculated from the following information:
(Dollar Value of milk produced) – (Feed costs of extra milk) – (Extra maintenance costs)
FE = (-.0187 x Milk) + (1.28 x Fat) + (1.95 x Protein) – (12.4 x BWC)
* Updates to the Total Performance Index® (TPI®) and Type Composites August 2017
This trait is not based on actual measurement of feed consumption, and it does not address the metabolic feed efficiency of animals as maintenance costs are driven by body size. The EcoFeed® index captures the metabolic efficiency of animals by capturing the variation in actual feed intake beyond that needed to support maintenance requirements, being independent of body size and performance; therefore, Feed Efficiency (FE) as calculated by the Holstein Association is uncorrelated with STgenetics® EcoFeed® index (r = 0.07).
How can you use EcoFeed® in your breeding decisions? EcoFeed® is an excellent trait to include in your selection criteria for dairy bulls as well as females on your farm. A list of bulls with high EcoFeed® scores can be found at stgen.com and females can receive an EcoFeed® score when they are genomically tested through Genetic Visions-ST™. To incorporate EcoFeed® into your selection program, you can simply identify bulls and females with high EcoFeed® values who also exhibit desirable characteristics for other economically relevant traits as determined by your current production goals. Subscribe to our Dairy Stream podcast to hear from STgenetics research scientist Jocelyn Johnson about how genetics can impact your on-farm feed bill. This episode will air on Sept. 22.
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