Reducing Feed Efficiency Test Length of Beef Cattle and Sheep to Improve Industry Adoption

Feed-efficient animals are vital for livestock producers, as feed costs account for over two-thirds of beef and sheep operation production expenses. Traditional methods like Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) provide group averages, limiting genetic selection potential. In contrast, Residual Feed Intake (RFI) offers an accurate evaluation of individual animal efficiency by measuring the difference between actual and expected feed consumption based on body weight and average daily gain. This study analysed historical feed efficiency data from 245 sheep, and 4842 beef cattle across 3 and 85 contemporary groups, respectively to determine optimal test durations. Results indicated testing periods for sheep could be reduced from 53 to 38 days in ram lambs and from 65 to 42 days in ewe lambs. In beef cattle, test duration could be shortened from 50 to 42 days. Shortened durations could significantly lower costs, enhance equipment utilization, and promote industry adoption of feed efficiency profiling. Key considerations for effective testing include contemporary grouping, animal type, feeding behaviours, and biosecurity protocols. The study demonstrated that more frequent body weight measurements and reduced dry matter intake (DMI) test periods can support accurate RFI calculations, ultimately enabling livestock producers to select genetically efficient animals and improve overall herd performance.