Strategies to improve the efficiency of beef cattle production

Abstract

Globally, there are approximately 1 billion beef cattle and compared to poultry and swine, beef cattle have the poorest conversion efficiency of feed to meat. However, these metrics fail to consider that beef cattle produce high quality protein from feeds that are unsuitable for other livestock species. Strategies to improve the efficiency of beef cattle are focusing on operational and breeding management, host genetics, functional efficiency of rumen and respiratory microbiomes, and the structure and composition of feed. These strategies must also consider the health and immunity of the herd as well as the need for beef cattle to thrive in a changing environment. Genotyping can identify hybrid vigor with positive consequences for animal health, productivity and environmental adaptability. The role of microbiome-host interactions play a key role in the efficient nutrient digestion and host health. Microbial markers and gene expression patterns within the rumen microbiome are being used to identify hosts that are efficient at fibre digestion. Plant breeding and processing are optimizing the feed value of both forages and concentrates. Strategies to improve the efficiency of cattle production are a prerequisite for the sustainable intensification needed to satisfy the future demand for beef.

Phytogenic Additives Can Modulate Rumen Microbiome to Mediate Fermentation Kinetics and Methanogenesis Through Exploiting Diet–Microbe Interaction

“…The host diet has a major influence on the relative abundance and diversity of the rumen microbiome. However, genetic manipulation of rumen microbiota is also possible through different techniques as host genetics influences some heritable microbial traits (81)(82)(83). In this regard, recent biological techniques such as transgenesis are getting attention for improving the efficiency of animal production and reducing environmental impacts (84).…”

The Molecular Bases Study of the Inherited Diseases for the Health Maintenance of the Beef Cattle

“…Moreover, genetic selection for improved animal health has the potential to complement genetic gains associated with selection for improved productivity traits. Unlike traditional prevention and treatment strategies for diseases, the genetic gain is cumulative and can persist over generations [ 1 ]. Therefore, improving the health and immunity of cattle will facilitate an increase in beef production efficiency through a reduction in morbidities and mortalities of animals.…”

“…One of the most important strategic objectives is to increase the consumption of meat products, in particular beef, as the main source of essential amino acids. In this regard, the efforts of specialists of the beef cattle industry are constantly directed at finding ways to increase the productivity of animals, and the use for this purpose of breeding material of specialized meat cattle breeds is very promising [ 1 ]. However, we must not forget that the manifestation of the properties of high productivity associated with the intense functioning of all organs and systems of the body that can be a prerequisite for the accumulation of genetic cargo in the form of mutant alleles associated with the manifestation of hereditary diseases [ 2 ].…”

Genetics and nutrition impacts on herd productivity in the Northern Australian beef cattle production cycle

“…Residual feed intake (RFI) is a moderately heritable trait that expresses the difference between actual feed consumed and predicted feed intake based on maintenance and growth; the lower the RFI value the more efficient the animal is ( Heida et al., 2021 ; Johnson et al., 2019 ; ( Terry et al., 2021 ). Wang et al.…”