What does this research mean for the field?

Relying solely on the residual feed intake (RFI) index is inadequate for selecting efficient heifers in forage-based systems because it frequently classifies animals with unacceptable growth rates as efficient, a limitation that can be resolved by incorporating an average daily gain threshold. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to assess forage utilization efficiency in Angus replacement heifers using various metrics.

April 4, 2026Journal of Animal Science

Evaluating Forage-Based Feed Efficiency Metrics in Angus Replacement Heifers

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This research aims to assess forage utilization efficiency in Angus replacement heifers using various metrics.
Conducted a two-year study with 109 Angus heifers at Oklahoma State University.
Utilized individual feed intake monitoring systems to measure forage intake.
Applied multiple regression analysis to determine residual feed intake (RFI).
Grouped heifers based on efficiency classification using K-means clustering.
Evaluated growth performance with linear mixed models in R.
RFI-efficient heifers consumed less forage (6.19 kg/d) compared to moderate (6.87 kg/d) and inefficient (7.67 kg/d) groups (P < 0.01).
No differences in body weight or hip height across efficiency groups (P > 0.13).
Average daily gain showed a tendency to differ among efficiency groups (P = 0.07).
Incorporating ADG threshold (RFIgain) led to disqualifying 22% and 35% of originally classified efficient heifers in Years 1 and 2, respectively.
Intake differences persisted among groups post-adjustment (P < 0.01).

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Implication

Study evaluates forage utilization efficiency metrics in Angus replacement heifers, suggesting improvements for selection.

Cite This Study

Tomson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d0af9a659487ece0fa58df https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skag057.091

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Evaluating Forage-Based Feed Efficiency Metrics in Angus Replacement Heifers

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Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Evaluating Forage-Based Feed Efficiency Metrics in Angus Replacement Heifers

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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