Award details

15AGRITECHCAT3 Evaluating a potential proxy test for Feed Conversion Efficiency in beef cattle.

Reference	BB/N004795/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Richard Dewhurst
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	SRUC
Department	Research
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	70,252
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/09/2015
End date	31/05/2017
Duration	21 months

Abstract

Summary

The project targets the large feed costs savings that could be achieved by selection for feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in the UK beef industry. It will deliver a new tool to identify feed efficient cattle - without the need for expensive recording of feed intake and growth rates. The cost of recording has been the main factor limiting the incorporation of FCE into ruminant breeding programmes. The project will also provide preliminary information about genetic variation and correlations - to help with incorporation of the new tool into breeding programmes. The scientific basis for the project is the relationship between FCE and the phenomenon of N isotopic fractionation. N isotopic fractionation has been measured using blood samples in previous work, and is low when FCE is high. This project will explore a new approach to measure N isotopic fractionation using hair samples. Hair samples are attractive because they accumulate information from an extended period of time and are easy to obtain from cattle undergoing on-farm recording for other traits. Commercially, this is both an opportunity for breeders to produce more valuable stock (sales of bulls, semen and embryos) and for all beef producers to reduce feeding costs. The early-stage project will gather key information needed to make decisions about the choice of proxy tool and the way that it will be used in breeding programmes: (i) Verification of the relationship between the proxy (Delta-15N) based on plasma or hair samples and N-use efficiency. (ii) Evaluation of the suitability of hair as a representative sample for measuring Delta-15N. (iii) Investigation of the relationship between proxy measurements and other farm-recorded traits. (iv) Preliminary analysis of genetic variation in FCE based on the proxy (Delta-15N). We will use samples of plasma and hair taken at the end of the recording period of groups of cattle (n=100 in total) on a full feed conversion efficiency protocol (60-day recording of feed intake, live-weight, and body composition (by ultrasound scanning)) as part of another study. Hair samples will be sectioned to ensure that the portion to be analysed was produced during the recording period (the basal 4.5 cm representing growth in the last two months; Zazzo et al. 2007). Samples of plasma, hair and feed will be analysed for Delta-15N and relationships between Delta-15N and FCE explored, with and without inclusion of information about body composition. We will (i) investigate the relationship between the hair 15N proxy measurement and other farm-recorded traits (400-day weights and ultrasound scans) and (ii) conduct a preliminary analysis of genetic variation in FCE based on the proxy, using 2,000 pedigree Aberdeen Angus animals (approx. 100-150 herds) currently being recorded through the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society (AACS) on-farm recording scheme.

Impact Summary

The project will deliver knowledge and experience to implement a proxy for feed conversion efficiency (FCE) based on 15N analysis of hair samples taken from contemporary groups of growing cattle. The test will address the urgent need for tools to reduce production (particularly feed) costs in UK beef production and allow the UK to compete more effectively in the global beef cattle breeding industry, where a number of countries (notably Australia and Canada) have well-established testing facilities for FCE. UK beef production (885,000 tonnes per annum represents just over 1% of global beef production. Global demand for beef is increasing as world population expands and people in developing countries seek more meat in their diets (FAO projections of 1.2% annual growth until 2050). So, there are good market opportunities both for beef and for beef genetics - provided that the major challenge to reduce production costs can be addressed. Without such as stepchange, the steady decline of the UK beef breeding and production industries will continue. The UK has realised the need to breed for FCE much later than leading beef breeding countries, with major negative implications for the relative efficiency of its beef production as well as the international competitiveness of its beef breeding industry. We believe that the low-cost FCE proxy approach proposed for this project will allow UK beef breeders to leapfrog countries that have adopted the expensive testing station approach to FCE breeding, and provide a sustainable approach that can be implemented over many decades. The FCE proxy will be used to develop testing schemes for FCE, alongside existing on-farm recording. It is anticipated that these schemes will be used by pedigree breeders, breed societies and other breeding organisations to develop and provide Breeding Values for FCE. The project will provide the base of knowledge and experience for implementation of the new analysis in breeding programmes, initially within the Aberdeen Angus breed. Once the format of the test and its implementation are clear (outcomes from the current project), we will seek additional partners (using licence agreements) to develop the necessary sampling and analytical services and capture the larger market with other breeds. A potential further development would be to link the analysis to DNA analysis based on DNA extracted from the opposite end of the same hair sample (i.e. hair follicles) - either to verify pedigree information or to explore genomic associations. This is highly complementary to existing activity of the AACS, which is taking ear tissue samples from all pedigree calves for future genotyping in a partnership with Caisley Eartags). The potential £200+ million reduction in feed costs for the UK beef industry (~ 2 million cattle x £100 potential saving per animal) defines the potential financial benefits that could be delivered to UK beef industry in its broadest sense. Savings in feed costs of up to £100 per animal could be achieved (this is the difference between the current top 20% and bottom 20% of animals) and this would represent £10,000 extra net margin for a unit finishing 100 cattle. In fact QMS (2014) data show average net losses for forage-based finishing of 100 cattle in Scotland in the range (-) £1,200 to (-) £4,800, so this would bring many more producers to make a profit before subsidy. In addition to the increased viability of beef enterprises, this provides a strong driver for farmers to invest in the breeding and evaluation industry, providing for: 1. Leading breeders marketing bulls and semen from High Feed Efficiency bulls, as well as High Feed Efficiency embryos, within the UK and internationally. 2. Development of a commercial sampling and testing service - either through enhancement of existing BreedPlan recording services or through establishment of a new company. 3. Growth in membership and engagement with breed societies.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Agri-Tech Catalyst (ATC) [2013-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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