April 15, 2011
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University animal scientists are on a team of researchers and extension specialists focusing on nutrition and genetics to improve cattle feeding efficiency.
The University of Missouri is leading the study, which is funded by a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
The study is integrating research to discover ways to increase feed efficiency and extension to pass on the information to beef producers. Dan Loy, Iowa State animal science professor and interim director of the Iowa Beef Center, is leading the extension effort.
Iowa State animal science faculty members Stephanie Hansen and Dorian Garrick are working on the research aspects. Hansen will focus on nutrient digestibility and contributions of the type of diet to efficiency of cattle production and greenhouse gas emissions. Garrick will work with the effort to determine genetic influences on feed efficiency.
Over the course of the five-year study, feed intake will be measured on nearly 8,000 animals representing eight breeds, said Garrick.
"About one-third of those animals will be analyzed for 700,000 DNA markers to identify genomic regions accounting for variation in feed efficiency. The study will include some validation of these markers," he said.
The extension component will include a collaboration with Midwestern seedstock breeders to predict the value of their herd sires using the results of the research.
The project is being led by Jerry Taylor, professor of genetics and animal sciences and the Wurdack Chair of Animal Genomics at the University of Missouri.