Feed intake measurement of cattle in the Tullimba R&D Feedlot BIN Project – Angus 2017/18

Summary

​This report covers the 589 Angus steers from 5 Cohorts of Steers that had feed intake and weight gain recorded on them in UNE’s Tullimba feedlot in the 2016/17 period. All data has been delivered to BreedPlan. This final report in cludes a summary of the final cohort (Cohort 5) and a summary of all cohorts.

Cohort 5: 92 Angus steers that began feed intake testing at Tullimba on 10/03/2017. They finished in the feedlot on 29/05/2017. To date cattle have generally performed well and have averaged around 15.1 kg/day feed intake for the 77 days. Trial average weight gain has been 1.995 kg/day weight gain (range 1.14 - 2.74 kg/day) during the 70 day test period after adaptation to the feeders. Retrieval of valid daily feed intake data will allow robust estimates of RFI and EBVs. Feed intake and live weight data from manual weighing is being reported to the breeder groups fortnightly and have been supplied to BreedPlan via Jim Cook.

All Cohorts: 589 Angus steers that began feed intake testing at Tullimba on 04/11/2016. The final cohort finished in the feedlot on 29/05/2017. Cattle have generally performed well and have averaged around 13.9 kg/day feed intake. Trial average weight gain has been 1.46 kg/day weight gain (range 0.49 - 2.79 kg/day) during the test period after adaptation to the feeders. Retrieval of valid daily feed intake data will allow robust estimates of RFI and EBVs. Feed intake and live weight data from manual weighing is being reported to the breeder groups fortnightly and have been supplied to BreedPlan via Jim Cook.