Cattle producers should prioritize cows selectively to improve feed conversion rate. And some already are, such as Hayse Farms in Redding, Iowa. Producer Pete Hayes says cows are getting smaller due to the ongoing selection of bulls and heifers that are more efficient converters of feed into weight gain. Replacement heifers for his 1,000-head herd are tested for feed efficiency at a nearby feedlot.
Twenty minutes north, Joe Werner prioritizes feed conversion on his purebred cowherd and feedlot in Diagonal, Iowa. He says one animal eats at a time for feed conversion testing. Werner tests sale bulls and identifies them with an ear chip. He says they’ve seen feed efficiency scores as low as 3.5:1, with an average of around 6:1.
Featured
-
Vilsack Advocates for Struggling Farmers in 2023 Farm Bill, Lawmakers Focus on Safety NetMarch 20, 2023
-
Wisconsin Battles Milk Hauling RegulationMarch 20, 2023
-
Beef Markets Strong in First QuarterMarch 20, 2023
-
Black Sea Grain Agreement Reached, Details UnclearMarch 21, 2023
-
Rain Falls too Late to Salvage Argentinian Soybean CropMarch 21, 2023