Merial Feed Analyses Now Available For All Breeds

GENERAL — Analyses for residual feed intake (RFI) are now available from IGENITY® for both Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds of cattle. These analyses have been independently researched in the United States, Canada and Australia, and are third-party validated.

3 April 2009

3 minute read

An independently conducted head-to-head study at the University of Guelph also proved the analysis for RFI from IGENITY for Bos taurus cattle is more predictive of an animal’s genetic potential for this trait than analyses from all other DNA technology providers.

“These analyses from IGENITY are the most thoroughly researched, predictive and powerful feed efficiency DNA analyses currently available for Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle,” says Dr. Stewart Bauck, executive director, research and development, IGENITY. “In addition to validating both RFI analyses from IGENITY, the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC) found the RFI analysis for Bos indicus cattle to be the only one available to accurately predict feed efficiency in this type of cattle.”

Only IGENITY provides individual RFI analysis for both Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle, as well as offering the only DNA analysis available for average daily gain (ADG). Dr. Bauck says this means producers can use IGENITY to help evaluate efficiency and growth in animals at any age.

“It is essential that producers consider both feed efficiency and growth when they are evaluating cattle and making selection, management and marketing decisions,” he says. “Having efficient cattle is only profitable if they also grow and perform on pasture and in the feedyard.”

Dr. Bauck says the analyses for RFI and ADG from IGENITY will help producers identify breeding cattle that will be more efficient as young animals and as older animals, as well as produce efficient progeny while maintaining an acceptable body condition score — without negatively affecting fertility. Feedyard managers also can use the profile to help purchase cattle that will be more efficient and gain faster during the feeding phase.

“Now, producers from all segments and breed types can feel confident that applying the inside information from IGENITY will yield accurate results to help make more confident decisions,” he says.

RFI, also called net feed efficiency, describes how an animal’s feed intake differs from its expected feed intake based on its maintenance and growth requirements. Low RFI is more desirable than high RFI, since a low-RFI animal will either eat less with the same gains or gain more from the same amount of feed.

Producers can choose to use a combination radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and tissue collection device, making DNA collection and electronic identification possible in one simple step. IGENITY also offers user-friendly information management software programs and expert one-on-one help to assist producers in turning this inside information into actionable knowledge.

“We understand that while the amount of information available from IGENITY provides producers a powerful tool to make more confident decisions, it also can be slightly overwhelming,” Dr. Bauck says. “This is why we have a team of advisers and new management software to help producers develop a customized approach to applying the inside information from the IGENITY profile in a way that is easy to use and that best fits their individual needs.”