Date: December 20, 2002
SELECTION FOR REDUCED CALVING DIFFICULTY
The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center developed closed genetic lines beginning in 1992 that were selected on reduced heifer calving difficulty score EPD and average yearling weight EPD along with control lines selected on average birth and yearling weight EPD. By 1998-99, 2- and 3-year-old select females produced calves 9.9 lb lighter at birth and had improved calving ease. There was no difference between select and control lines in weaning, yearling, and carcass weights. Select lines were slightly fatter and slightly higher marbling, but there was no difference in ribeye area or internal fat. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it too.
TB REGULATIONS
You may have heard that, starting Jan. 1, all Texas feeder cattle going out of state must be identified with an ear tag, and all heifers and bulls TB tested. This restriction will not occur. However, more stringent requirements could still be implemented in the future if a significant risk is shown. And breeding cattle going out of state are still subject to movement regulations.
EFFECTS OF EARLY WEANING
Florida researchers studied 3-year-old Brangus- and Braford-sired heifers. Some of their calves (EW) were weaned averaging 84 days of age on Jan. 23. Other calves (NW, normal weaned) were kept on their dams and weaned Aug. 1. On Jan. 23, cow BCS averaged 3.89. On Aug. 1, EW females weighed 1072 lb, were 6.25 BCS, had pregnancy rate of 89.5%, and calving interval of 391 days, compared to 988 lb, 4.50 BCS, 50.0%, and 412 days for NW cows. Early weaning of calves on young, thin cows can effectively improve BCS and reproduction.
CONSUMPTION OF MEAT, POULTRY, AND SEAFOOD
Per capita consumption of beef in the U. S. increased steadily about 10 lb per decade from the 1930s through the 1970s, just about doubling to a little over 80 lb. Then, consumption declined at about the same rate during the 80s and 90s and is predicted to be 60 lb next year. From the 30s to now, pork consumption has been remarkably stable, around 45 lb. Lamb and veal have dropped to less than 1 lb each. As you might imagine, chicken has gone from about 10 lb in the 30s to 56 lb and turkey from 1.5 lb to almost 14 lb. Seafood increased from about 10 lb to about 15 lb.
RESIDUAL FEED INTAKE
Some Australian work has generated interest in residual feed intake (RFI, actual intake minus expected intake). Texas A&M workers studied 169 steers fed for 77 days. High RFI ate 3.6 lb less per day, but there was no difference in gain, so they were more efficient. From ultrasonic estimates, high RFI were slightly leaner. The researchers speculated the difference in RFI might be due to maintenance requirements, feeding activity and behavior, or protein turnover. At this point, there is no indication in this work of whether there might be a genetic component to RFI.
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