Which Procedure Increases Feed Efficiency?

Feed efficiency measures how well an animal converts feed into products like weight gain, milk, or eggs, and is important for both economic and environmental reasons. Since feed is the largest expense in livestock production, improving efficiency enhances profitability. More efficient animals also require fewer resources and produce less waste, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural system. Improving feed efficiency involves a comprehensive strategy addressing multiple aspects of production.

Feed Processing Techniques

Processing feed improves its digestibility, allowing animals to extract more nutrients. Simple mechanical methods like grinding and rolling reduce the particle size of grains, which increases the surface area for digestive enzymes to work on. Achieving an optimal particle size is important, as feed ground too finely can lead to digestive problems in animals like cattle.

Pelleting compacts feed ingredients into a uniform pellet, which offers several advantages. It prevents animals from sorting through food for preferred ingredients, ensuring they consume a balanced ration with every bite. This consistency supports steady growth and performance, and the process also reduces feed waste from feeders.

Steam flaking is an advanced technique for grains like corn and sorghum fed to cattle. This procedure uses high-moisture steam to cook the grain before it is passed through large rollers, flattening it into a flake. The heat and moisture cause the starch within the grain to gelatinize, breaking down its complex structure. This gelatinization makes the starch more available for digestion, increasing the energy an animal can derive from the feed.

Utilizing Feed Additives

Certain substances can be incorporated into feed rations to enhance efficiency by modifying an animal’s digestion or metabolism. The application of these additives is specific to the animal species and the composition of its diet.

Ionophores are a category of additives used in ruminant diets. These compounds, such as monensin, alter the microbial population within the rumen by selectively inhibiting certain bacteria. This shift in fermentation favors the production of more energy-dense byproducts, meaning the animal captures more energy from its feed while reducing waste products like methane gas.

In swine and poultry production, supplemental enzymes like phytase are often added to diets. Many plant-based ingredients contain phytic acid, which binds phosphorus and makes it unavailable to the animal. Phytase breaks down this compound, releasing the bound phosphorus for absorption. This improves nutrient uptake, reduces the need for supplemental phosphorus, and minimizes the amount excreted into the environment.

Probiotics and prebiotics improve gut function by helping maintain a balanced population of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. A stable gut microbiome is better equipped to break down feedstuffs and absorb nutrients. This support for gut health contributes to improved feed efficiency by ensuring the digestive system functions optimally.

Genetic Selection Strategies

Long-term genetic selection can improve feed efficiency by systematically breeding animals that are naturally better at converting feed into products. This approach creates permanent and cumulative gains within a herd or flock, as desirable traits are passed down through generations.

A primary tool for this selection has been the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), which measures the feed consumed per unit of weight gain. While effective, FCR has limitations, as selecting only for this trait can lead to larger adult animals that require more feed for maintenance. This prompted the development of more sophisticated metrics.

A more precise measure is Residual Feed Intake (RFI), calculated as the difference between an animal’s actual and expected feed intake based on its body weight and rate of gain. Animals with a low or negative RFI are more efficient because they consume less feed than predicted for their production level. Since RFI is independent of body size, it allows for selecting efficient animals without unintentionally increasing their mature weight.

Genomics has further advanced these selection strategies. Scientists have identified specific DNA markers associated with feed efficiency traits. These genomic tests allow producers to identify animals with superior genetics for efficiency at a young age, long before their feed intake can be measured. This technology accelerates genetic improvement by making selection more accurate.

Optimizing Husbandry and Management

For an animal to reach its genetic potential, its environment and daily care must be properly managed. For instance, consistent management of feeders plays a direct role. Keeping feed fresh and available encourages steady consumption and prevents overeating after a period of absence, which can upset digestion.

Access to clean, fresh water is necessary for good husbandry. Water is involved in nearly every metabolic process, including digestion and the regulation of feed intake. Dehydration can suppress an animal’s appetite and hinder its ability to process nutrients, reducing overall efficiency.

Reducing environmental stress is an important management goal. Animals exposed to stressors like extreme temperatures, overcrowding, or aggressive handling must divert energy away from growth and toward coping mechanisms. This energy expenditure directly detracts from feed efficiency, so providing comfortable, low-stress conditions is beneficial.

A robust animal health program supports high feed efficiency. Healthy animals utilize nutrients for growth or production, while animals fighting diseases or parasites redirect nutrients to their immune response. Proactive health management, including vaccinations and parasite control, ensures that nutrients from feed are not wasted on combating illness.