Achieving Maximum Cattle Efficiency

Some say that cattle have reached maximum efficiency. However, an Alltech researcher says they have not. Dr. Maurice Boland says nutrition at the beginning of the lifecycle for cattle plays a key role in efficiency.

Research shows animals undernourished during the early stages of pregnancy can lead to negative reproductive production a few years down the road. However, by feeding animals a high-energy diet in the last term of pregnancy, beef producers can achieve a higher growth rate. He says genetics also plays a role too.

Boland: "One of the things we're doing at Alltech is trying to feed animals so that they have the best chance of optimizing their genetic potential. By doing that what we are doing is trying enhance the health, the efficiency and ultimately to produce a better quality of meat that is more nutritious for the consumer."            

 

Through research around the world, Alltech has discovered the next generation of profitable feeding strategies. Dr. Boland says the research is finding ways to improve a producer's bottom line.

Boland: "The most important thing is that we are producing healthier animals. We are producing more efficient beef production systems. We're feeding those animals to optimize their genetic potential. So we're looking for a healthier animal optimizing its genetic potential so that it can grow at its maximum level of efficiency at the lowest cost. Ultimately what we're looking for is more profit for the farmer."