W2010: Integrated Approach to Enhance Efficiency of Feed Utilization in Beef Production Systems

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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Date of Annual Report: 09/16/2016

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/22/2014 - 07/23/2014
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2013 - 09/30/2014

Participants

Members Present: Mike Davis (Ohio State U), Roberto Sainz and James Oltjen (UC Davis), Stephanie Hansen (Iowa State U), Gordon Carstens (Texas A&M U), Rod Hill (U Idaho), Dan Shike (U Illinois), Jamie Matthews (U Kentucky), Bob Wettermann and Brit Boelmer (Oklahoma State U), Jennifer Thompson (Montana State U), Scott Lake (U Wyoming).

Guests Present: Allison Sunstrum, Camiel Huisma, Eliel Gonzalez.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Multi-State Project W2010

Molecular Mechanisms that Regulate Efficiency of Feed Utilization in Beef Cattle.

Annual Meeting 2014 – Minutes.

The W2010 Annual Meeting was held in Association with the Joint Animal Science Societies meeting in Kansas City, July 22 and July 23, 2014.

Tuesday, July 22.

The meeting was opened by the Chair, Dr Mike Davis at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Mike Davis (Ohio State U), Roberto Sainz and James Oltjen (UC Davis), Stephanie Hansen (Iowa State U), Gordon Carstens (Texas A&M U), Rod Hill (U Idaho), Dan Shike (U Illinois), Jamie Matthews (U Kentucky), Bob Wettermann and Brit Boelmer (Oklahoma State U), Jennifer Thompson (Montana State U), Scott Lake (U Wyoming).

Guests Present: Allison Sunstrum, Camiel Huisma, Eliel Gonzalez.

Agenda: Presentation of Station Reports.

Adjournment: 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 23.

The meeting was opened by Chair, Dr Mike Davis at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Mike Davis (Ohio State U), Roberto Sainz and James Oltjen (UC Davis), Gordon Carstens (Texas A&M U), Rod Hill (U Idaho), Jamie Matthews (U Kentucky), Bob Wettermann and Brit Boelmer (Oklahoma State U), Jennifer Thompson (Montana State U), Samoda Fernando (U Nebraska Lincoln), Philip Lancaster (U Florida), Allison Meyer (U Missouri).

Agenda:

Business Meeting: Rod Hill (U Idaho) was to move from Secretary to Chair for 2014-15, but announced that he was relocating to a position in Australia and could not continue. Nominations for both Chair and Secretary for 2014-15 were called. Allison Meyer (U Missouri), Chair and Samoda Fernando (U Nebraska Lincoln), Secretary were both unanimously elected.

The Business meeting was followed by presentation of the remaining station reports.

Adjournment: 10:00 p.m.

Accomplishments

W2010 Annual Report 2015 Accomplishments Short-term Outcomes: The main short-term outcome of the W2010 project is increased scientific knowledge of beef cattle feed efficiency in the scientific and industry communities. To this end, members of W2010 present their research findings at scientific meetings, train graduate students, work with bull test stations to determine RFI, work with feed companies to design diets that enhance efficiency of cattle fed forage and grain-based diets, work with breed associations to create efficiency-related EPDs, organize and present at producer-targeted extension meetings, and create producer-targeted publications to increase knowledge regarding feed efficiency.   Outputs: Data outputs from experiments conducted by members of W2010 are described below. Collaborative grant proposals have been submitted by committee members, including some large AFRI Integrated proposals. Other outputs of the W2010 group include a recently published book entitled “Feed Efficiency in the Beef Industry”, the writing and publication of which was led by Rod Hill. All of the chapters except one were authored or co-authored by members of W2010. Additionally, 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, 2 conference proceedings papers, 3 scientific abstracts, and 7 experiment station/extension reports have been published by this group on related topics in the past year (listed in Publications). Activities Iowa State University:   Objective 1:    To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI.   This work was conducted in collaboration between committee members from the University of Missouri and Iowa State University. Work in this year continued to focus on the contribution of diet digestibility to feed efficiency ranking of feedlot steers. Over 2 yr, 373 steers (in two groups) were fed for 70 d at the University of Missouri for a growing phase and then shipped to Iowa State University for the finishing phase. Steers were fed in GrowSafe bunks during both phases. At Missouri, steers were fed whole shell corn (G-Corn) or roughage-based (G-Rough) diets. Within each group, the 12 greatest and 12 least feed efficient steers from each growing diet (n = 96 total; 48 steers/group; 488 ± 5 kg) were selected for further evaluation. At Iowa State, steers were fed an average of 10 g titanium dioxide·steer-1·d-1 (TiO2) in receiving phase diets nutritionally similar to growing phase diets for 14 d, followed by a 2 d fecal collection to determine diet DM digestibility. For finishing, steers were transitioned to byproduct (F-Byp) or corn-based diets (F-Corn). Optaflexx (200 mg/d) was fed for 28 d prior to harvest and the TiO2 protocol was repeated immediately before introducing Optaflexx to determine diet DM digestibility during finishing. Data for the 96 steers were pooled, steers were ranked by growing phase G:F, and then classified as the 24 greatest (HFE) or 24 least (LFE) feed efficient steers from each GP diet. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with group applied as a fixed effect. There was a positive correlation for DM digestibility between growing and finishing phases for steers fed nutritionally similar diets during both feeding phases but a negative correlation for G:F between phases in steers that were grown on roughage and finished on corn. Growing period fiber digestion was markedly improved in steers ranked as highly feed efficient during the growing period, suggesting that improved ability to utilize the diet may contribute to better feed efficiency. Finishing G:F was greater in steers ranked as highly efficient during the growing period vs. those ranked as lowly efficient during the growing period, but there was no difference in growing or finishing DM digestion due to feed efficiency classification. There was a positive correlation for DM digestibility between feeding phases when steers were grown and finished on similar diets. Overall, FE was repeatable but was negatively correlated between phases when steers were roughage grown and corn finished, reinforcing the idea that cattle should be feed efficiency tested using diet types similar to the production environment of interest.   Montana State University:   Objectives and Relevant Research under each:   <ol> <li>To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization.</li> </ol>   The current study is evaluating individual animal variation in extreme high and extreme low RFI growing lambs. High and low RFI animals are identified after 42-d feeding trial. Use of a human triaxial pedometer for measuring activity level in sheep was evaluated (manuscript submitted). Differences in body composition for lambs divergent for RFI were found. More efficient lambs had heavier rumen and lung weights than inefficient lambs. A second study was conducted to evaluate the anabolic activity of progesterone in increasing feed utilization efficiency in mature ewes. Analysis of the resulting data is underway. <ol> <li>To discover physiological biomarkers and genetic markers for feed efficiency.</li> </ol>   A recent paper was published in which we evaluated the predictive power of blood metabolites measured by NMR on prediction of phenotypic variation in RFI in feedlot cattle. Collaborations with Texas A&M University are being carried out to confirm previous results with additional resolution. Ongoing Research:   <ol> <li>Hatch Projects – Investigating the underlying physiology of economically important traits in livestock genetic improvement</li> <li>Wildlife Genomics – Bighorn sheep population study, Argali sheep in Kyrgyzstan</li> <li>Feed Efficiency – Sheep RFI testing and physiological measurements in Fall 2014</li> <li>Relationship between progesterone concentration and feed efficiency in Fall and Winter 2014</li> <li>Funding for NSF, Wild Sheep Foundation, National Geographic for genotyping of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep</li> <li>Bair Ranch Foundation Funding for Candidate marker and gene identification in American Simmental Association Carcass Merit Project</li> <li>Bair Ranch Foundation Funding for Gene Expression Profiling in muscle of beef carcasses differing in quality grade.</li> </ol>   Recent Outputs: <ol> <li>Proceedings papers and presentations at WSASAS meeting, ASAS JAM, SSASAS, Stress Physiology Symposium, Montana State University College of Agriculture Research Report</li> <li>Approximately 1,800 DNA samples archived on Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Cattle, and Sheep</li> </ol>   The Ohio State University: Objective 1:    To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI.   A divergent selection experiment was initiated in 1989 to investigate the influence of changes in serum IGF-I concentration on economically important traits in Angus cattle. The selection experiment included 100 spring-calving (50 high line and 50 low line) cows located at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, Belle Valley, OH.   Beginning with the 2009 breeding season, the selection criterion in the IGF-I selection lines was changed from serum IGF-I concentration to ME EPD as provided by the Red Angus Association.  Females in the high line are mated to one of three high (undesirable) ME EPD bulls and cows and heifers in the low line are mated to one of three low (desirable) ME EPD bulls.  The first calves produced in this project at the Ohio station were born in the spring 2010 calving season.   Numbers of high and low line calves born in the spring 2010 through 2015 calving seasons were 26 and 19, 25 and 21, 9 and 10, 19 and 14, 26 and 13, and 25 and 13, respectively.  Number of calves born in 2012 was low due to a delayed shipment of semen.  Birth weight, weaning weight, preweaning relative growth rate, docility score at weaning, and serum IGF-I concentration at weaning were analyzed using PROC GLM in SAS.  The statistical model included the fixed effects of year-selection line, sex of calf, and age of dam, as well as the random effect of sire nested within year-line, and a covariate for age of calf at weaning for all dependent variables other than birth weight.  Sire nested within line was used as the error term in analysis of variance F tests for selection line.   The same Red Angus bulls were used to produce the 2010, 2011, and 2012 calf crops.  Average ME EPDs of the 3 high line and 3 low line sires were 12.7 and -8.0, respectively.  Average ME EPDs of the 3 sires of the high line calves and 3 sires of the low line calves born in 2013 and 2014 were 2.7 vs. 1.0 and -1.0 vs 1.0, respectively.  Average ME EPDs of the 2 high line sires of the calves born in 2015 was 8.0, whereas the average ME EPDs of the 2 sires of the low line calves born in the same year was 3.0.  In general, low accuracy sires were used to produce the 2013, 2014, and 2015 calf crops.  In several instances the ME EPDs of these bulls changed between when they were selected for breeding and the fall 2015 National Cattle Evaluation.   High line calves tended to have heavier birth weights than low line calves within each year (P = 0.08 for the effect of year-line).  Weaning weights were 6, 15, 5, 3, and 3 kg heavier for high line than for low line calves in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively (P = 0.50 for the effect of year-line).  Low line calves weighed 5 kg more than high line calves at weaning in 2015.  The effect of year-line on relative growth rate from birth to weaning was not significant (P = 0.31).  Low line calves (i.e., those sired by low or desirable ME EPD Red Angus bulls) born in 2010 averaged 344 + 13 ng/mL of serum IGF-I at weaning, whereas high line calves (i.e., those sired by high or undesirable ME EPD Red Angus bulls) born in the same year averaged 271 + 12 ng/mL.   This result was somewhat unexpected as most (but not all) previous studies have shown lower serum IGF-I concentration to be associated with more desirable feed efficiency.  Serum IGF-I concentrations for calves born in 2011 and 2013 were 24 and 15 ng/mL, respectively, greater in the high line calves than in the low line calves, results that were more in line with expectations, whereas IGF-I concentrations of calves born in 2012 were 11 ng/mL greater for low line than for high line calves.  Serum IGF-I concentrations of high and low line calves born in 2014 and 2015 were very similar.  Therefore, a consistent relationship between IGF-I concentration of progeny at weaning and ME EPD of their sires has not been observed thus far in this study.   Sex of calf was significant only for birth weight and weaning weight with bull calves on average weighing 1.9 and 13 kg more than heifer calves at birth and weaning, respectively.  As expected, means for age of dam differed significantly for birth weight and weaning weight.   Recording of BIF docility scores of calves at weaning was initiated in 2014.  Least squares means for docility scores of high vs. low line calves in 2014 and 2015 were 1.51 vs. 1.95 and 1.28 vs. 1.94, respectively, indicating that low line calves were slightly more restless in the squeeze chute (P = 0.16 for the effect of year-season).  Bull calves also tended to be more restless than heifer calves (P = 0.11).  Only small age of dam effects on temperament of calves were observed (P = 0.14). University of California-Davis: Modeling analyses indicate that genetic progress in our beef cattle breeds during the past 30 yr has resulted in phenotypic predictions that fall short of actual performance. These real physiological changes can be accommodated by reparameterization of our models, so that they reflect the greater genetic potential of our modern cattle herd. Updated models are now available for use by nutritionists and other professionals to aid in management decision making.   In support of Objectives 3 and 4:   <ol start="3"> <li>To develop EPDs, informed by molecular studies in building multi-trait selection indices and decision-support tools to facilitate selection for improved FE in beef cattle.</li> </ol>   <ol start="4"> <li>To develop producer educational programs to enhance technology adoption by the beef industry.</li> </ol>   We have collected literature data for genetic and technological improvements in beef cattle production in order to develop improved models for high accuracy EPDs, for RFI, and other production traits. Models are being modified by identifying and quantifying parameters that reflect efficiency differences between animals, allowing estimation of system effects of selection or feeding animals of different efficiencies. University of Illinois: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between measures of feed efficiency in growing and mature animals, as well as across diet types. In Exp. 1, postweaning DMI, ADG, and backfat were evaluated on Angus and SimAngus heifers (n=623) over a 6-yr period. Heifers received similar forage-based diets, and individual DMI were recorded using the GrowSafe system. Residual feed intake (RFI), residual BW gain (RG), and residual intake and BW gain (RIG) were calculated. Heifers were classified into high, medium, or low RFI, RG, RIG, and DMI groups. The objective of this experiment was to determine the relationship between postweaning feed efficiency and intake in heifers, and subsequent cow performance and reproduction as 2-yr-old cows. As heifer RFI improved, cow forage DMI was reduced (P < 0.01). The RFI classification did not affect (P ≥ 0.07) reproductive traits; calf birth or weaning BW; cow BW, milk production, backfat, or BCS. Heifer DMI was highly correlated (P < 0.05) with cow forage intake. Heifers classified as low DMI were least frequently (P < 0.01) kept as replacements and were youngest (P = 0.04) at first calving. Calves from cows, classified as high DMI heifers, had the greatest (P < 0.01) birth BW; yet, there were no differences (P=0.60) in weaning BW. Intake classification had no effect (P ≥ 0.07) on cow BCS, backfat, or milk production. Cows, classified as low DMI heifers, weighed the least (P = 0.02) and had reduced (P < 0.01) hip heights at 60- and 240-d postpartum. Cows, classified as low DMI heifers, had reduced (P ≤ 0.01) DMI compared to cows within the high heifer DMI group. These data indicate that females classified as more efficient have reduced cow DMI without compromising production traits.   In Exp. 2, Charolais crossbred heifers and steers (n=628) were fed for two 70-d periods and DMI, ADG, and 12th rib fat thickness were recorded. Steers were fed grain-based diets during the growing and finishing periods to determine the effects of test period and timing on DMI and feed efficiency. Heifers were fed forage during the growing period and grain during the finishing period to test the effect of diet type on DMI and measures of feed efficiency. For each 70-d test period, individual DMI was recorded using the GrowSafe system. Residual feed intake was calculated for each test period. Total feeding period ADG (FP_ADG) was calculated for steers by regressing all weights taken from feedlot arrival to final BW, which was calculated by dividing HCW by a standard dressing percentage (63%). Dry matter intake and RFI were correlated (r=0.56; P<0.01, and 0.63; P<0.01, respectively) for the growing and finishing periods of grain-fed steers. Average daily gain was not repeatable (r=0.11; P=0.06) across both test periods for steers. However, growing and finishing ADG were correlated (r=0.58; P<0.01, and r=0.69; P<0.01, respectively) to FP_ADG. To assess the potential of shortening the intake test, DMI was analyzed in 7-d increments for grain-fed steers during the growing period. Regardless of test length, from 7 to 70 d, DMI was correlated (r≥0.87; P<0.01) with total DMI during the growing period. Heifer forage DMI was correlated (r=0.58; P<0.01) with grain DMI; and, heifer forage ADG was negatively correlated (r=-0.30; P<0.01) with grain ADG. Forage and grain RFI were moderately correlated (r=0.40; P<0.01) for heifers.   One outcome of this project was the training and professional development of a PhD student. The student not only had the experience of collecting and analyzing data but also had the opportunity to attend professional meetings and present the results to producers at field days.   We have collected feed intake and performance data on >600 replacement heifers and subsequently collected intake and performance data on ~400 of these females as 2-yr-old cows and ~150 as 5-yr-old cows. We have also collected feed intake on different diet types during the growing and finishing period of over 600 feedlot cattle.   We have conducted experiments to achieve better understanding of relationships of feed intake and efficiency across different diet types and different biological time points. We have presented the data at field days and conferences:   “Measuring & Improving Beef Cow Maternal Efficiency & Profitability” presented at the Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference, January 31, 2015 in Ottumwa, IA   University of Kentucky:   Objective 1:    To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI.   The Kentucky Station is contributing to Objective 1 by extracting RNA from animals demonstrating the extreme range of RFI performance (outlier animals; contributed by other stations) and conducting targeted and genomic expression profiles of selected tissues to determine the effect of RFI phenotype on known and elucidated regulatory and canonical gene networks.   Using a normally vs. sub-optimally growing beef steer model, we completed and compared transcriptomic, targeted mRNA, and targeted protein from liver tissue, using the commercial Bovine GeneChip (liver) and custom WT Btau 4.0 Array (pituitary) microarrays, RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses to compare the expression of genes critical to energy production, mitochondrial mass, amino acid and selenium (selenoprotein) metabolism. We found that sub-optimally growing steers had reduced expression of genes for selenoproteins, enzymes that support selenoprotein synthesis, and increased expression of genes responsible for proline, serine, and ATP synthesis, along with increased mitochondrial mass.   Using a growing heifer model, we found that the form (inorganic, organic, 1:1 blend of inorganic and organic) in which selenium is supplied in mineral-vitamin premixes of finishing diets greatly affects liver transcriptome profiles, with major differences including genes involved with selenoprotein expression, amino acid metabolism, and pathway regulation by neuropeptide Y and glucagon signaling.   We developed reagents for, and identified changes in expression of, mRNA and proteins likely to be responsible for putative changes in hepatic and pituitary metabolism in high vs. low RFI growing cattle.  We will continue our elaboration of bovine gene products (mRNA and protein) in pathways likely to be differentially-expressed in high vs. low RFI beef animals.   Opportunities for training and professional development were provided for four graduate and two undergraduate students from the University of Kentucky and University of Guelph.  The students received training in (and conducted) the experimental design, statistical analyses, bioinformatics analysis, and/or GEO database entry of targeted mRNA/protein and transcriptomic experiments.   University of Nebraska:   Towards achieving the first objective of understanding the biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization, we have sampled and genotyped ~ 750 animals. The animals used in this study were fed 3 different diets (50:50 Alfalfa hay: sweetbran mix, 58% corn silage, 30% distillers and 8% Alfalfa mix, and 70% corn silage and 30% Alfalfa hay mix). Additionally, the animals on the 50:50 Alfalfa hay:sweetbran mix were also evaluated under several other finishing diets with different fat sources. In addition to genotyping and phenotyping the microbiota, individual animal feed intake and performance data were also collected. The microbial community composition of these animals have been evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing of the V4 variable region with an average depth of 20,000 reads per sample and a minimum of 8,000 reads per sample. The microbial community composition was evaluated using custom pipelines developed in the Fernando lab. The microbial community composition was distinctly different between the 3 diets and clustered separately in the principal coordinate analysis. This was confirmed in the Bray Curtis dissimilarity matrix based PERMANOVA analysis. Phylum level differences were detected between the 3 diets where the diet containing wet distillers displayed decreased Bacteroidetes compared to the other two diets. Additionally, Proteobacteria were lower in the diet containing the 50:50 Alfalfa hay:sweetbran mix. In addition to evaluating diet dependent shifts in the rumen microbial community, we evaluated microbial community shifts within diet for high and low efficiency animals. To this end we compared the microbial community composition of the 25% most efficient and least efficient animals within the 58% corn silage, 30% distillers and 8% Alfalfa mix diet and 70% corn silage and 30% Alfalfa hay mix diet. In both diets, the most efficient animals contained greater abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to family Prevotellaceae. In low efficiency animals, OTUs belonging to family Lachnospiraceae were high. Additionally, in the 70% corn silage and 30% Alfalfa hay mix diet, several unclassified OTUs were significantly higher in high efficiency animals including BS11 and RFP12. These OTUs that are high in high efficiency animals may be candidate species to develop direct fed microbials. The microbial community of the animals on the 50:50 alfalfa hay:sweetbran mix, when fed different finishing diets containing different fat sources did not show significant microbial community composition differences between the diets. However, the finishing diets were significantly different from the common diet containing 50:50 Alfalfa hay:sweetbran mix.   Towards achieving objective 2 of discovering physiological biomarkers and genetic markers for feed efficiency phenotypes, we are currently performing the genotype by microbiota analysis. Therefore, no data are currently available for this objective. Short-term outcomes of the Nebraska project include training and professional development, which include a graduate student working on this project taking the short courses in genomic selection offered by Iowa State University. Additionally, the graduate student has attended regional workshops, including the Beef Improvement Federation annual meeting. In terms of outputs, we have generated genotypic data, performance data, and microbial community data for almost 750 animals. Specific duties have been carried out by individuals or teams using scientific methods to reveal new knowledge and develop new understanding.  We developed esophageal tubing methods that will be used to collect samples that are representative of the rumen microbiota and have a similar microbial community structure to samples collected via the rumen fistula.   University of Tennessee: The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture continues its research examining efficient forage utilization and enhanced reproductive efficiency.  Research goals are to discover new technologies and practices that improve livestock efficiency and sustainability of beef cattle production. Numerous peer-reviewed publications, lectures at invited national society symposia, and grants were produced as a result of these projects.   Within the last year, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) has made several strides to fulfill the objectives of the W2010 Multistate Research Project.  The W2010 has four major objectives focusing on feed efficiency in beef production systems.    <ol> <li>To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization.</li> <li>To discover physiological biomarkers and genetic markers for RFI.</li> <li>To develop EPDs, informed by molecular studies in building multi-trait selection indices and decision-support tools to facilitate selection for improved FE in beef cattle.</li> <li>To develop producer educational programs to enhance technology adoption by the beef industry.</li> </ol>   Researchers at this station actively and exclusively participate in objective 1.  As publications are the primary tangible result expected from the project, our research findings were publicized to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.  Some research findings were brought to classroom teaching. Graduate and undergraduate students were also involved in the research projects. The target audience includes producers, community, industry, commodity production groups, foundations, and other stakeholders involved in beef production. Two research publications, one invited research talk at a national meeting, and one invited review have been developed from this station in 2015 as a result of the W2010 multistate project. We continue to work on research pertaining to adaptive mechanisms that promote energy efficiency in grazing beef cows.  Specifically, we continue to progress with understanding molecular mechanisms involved in grazing cattle, growth, and productivity and their effects on feedlot performance.

Publications

Iowa State University Saatchi, M., J. E. Beever, J. E. Decker, D. B. Faulkner, H. C. Freetly, S. L. Hansen, H. Yampara-Iquise, K. A. Johnson, S. D. Kachman, M. S. Kerley, J. Kim, D. D. Loy, E. Marques, H. L. Neibergs, E. J. Pollak, R. D. Schnabel, C. M. Seabury, D. W. Shike, W. M. Snelling, M. L. Spangler, R. L. Weaber, D. J. Garrick, and J. F. Taylor. 2014. QTL, candidate genes, metabolic and signaling pathways associated with growth, metabolic mid-test weight, feed intake and feed efficiency in beef cattle. BMC Genomics. Under review.   Russell, J. R., N. O. Minton, W. J. Sexten, M. S. Kerley, and S. L. Hansen. 2014. Feedlot performance and diet digestibility of feed efficiency-ranked beef steers fed corn or roughage-based diets and finished with corn or byproduct-based diets. J. Anim. Sci. 92 (Suppl. 2) Abst 589.   Russell, J., E. Lundy, and S. Hansen. 2014. Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Feed Efficiency Sorted Cattle Fed Corn or Roughage-Based Diets and Finished with Corn or Byproduct-Based Diets. Iowa State University Animal Industry Report: 2864.   Montana State University Boles, J. A., K. S. Kohlbeck, M. C. Meyers, K. A. Perz, K. C. Davis, and J. Thomson. 2015.  The use of blood lactate concentration as an indicator of temperament and its impact on growth rate and tenderness of steaks from Simmental x Angus steers. Meat Sci. 103:68-74.   Lean, Ian, M. Lucy, J. McNamara, B. Bradford, E. Block, J. Thomson, J. Morton, P. Celi, A. Rabiee, J. Santos, W. Thatcher, and S. LeBlanch. 2015. Invited Review: Recommendations for reporting intervention studies on reproductive performance in dairy cattle: Improving design, analysis, and interpretation of research on reproduction. J. Dairy Sci. In Press.   Perz, K., J. Berardinelli, R. Shevitski, J. White, and J. Thomson. 2015. Use of human tri-axial pedometer for measurement of sheep activity. Animal Behavior Science. In review.   The Ohio State University Yilmaz, A., N. Mohamed, K. A. Patterson,Y. Tang, K. Shilo, M. A. Villalona-Calero, M. E. Davis, X. Zhou, W. Frankel, G. A. Otterson, and W. Zhao.  2014. Clinical and metabolic parameters in non-small cell lung carcinoma and colorectal cancer patients with and without KRAS mutations.  Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11, 8645-8660;doi:10.3390/ ijerph110908645   Yilmaz, A., N. Mohamed, K. A. Patterson, Y. Tang, K. Shilo, M. A. Villalona-Calero, M. E. Davis, X. Zhou, W. Frankel, G. A. Otterson, H. D. Beall, and W. Zhao.  2014.  Increased NQO1 but not c-MET and Survivin expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma with KRAS mutations.  Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11, 9491-9502; doi:10.3390/ijerph110909491 Chung, H. Y., Y. C. Choi, and M. E. Davis.  2015.  Associations between genetic variants in the promoter region of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene and blood serum IGF-1 concentrations in Hanwoo cattle.  Genet. Mol. Res. 14 (2): 3026-3035.   Hong, Joonki, Duwan Kim, Kyuho Cho, Soojin Sa, Sunho Choi, Younghwa Kim, Juncheol Park, Gilberto Silber Schmidt, Michael E. Davis, and Hoyoung Chung.  2015.  Effects of genetic variants for the swine FABP3, HMGA1, MC4R, IGF2, and FABP4 genes on fatty acid composition.  Meat Sci. 110:46-51.   Choi, Yoonjeong, Michael E. Davis, and Hoyoung Chung.  2015.  Effects of genetic variants in the promoter region of the bovine adiponectin (ADIPOQ) gene on marbling of Hanwoo beef cattle.  Meat Sci. 105:57-62.   Zhang, J., Y. Suh, Y. M. Choi, P. Chen, M. E. Davis, and K. Lee.  2015.  Differential expression of cell cycle regulators during hyperplastic and hypertrophic growth of broiler subcutaneous adipose tissue.  Lipids 50:965-976.   Zhang, J., J. Ahn, Y. Suh, S. Hwang, M. E. Davis, and K. Lee.  2015.  Identification of CTLA2A, DEFB29, WFDC15B, SERPINA1F and MUP19 as novel tissue-specific secretory factors in mouse. PLoS ONE 10(5): e0124962. doi:10.1371/journal.  pone.0124962.   University of California-Davis   Oltjen, J.W. 2014. Criterios para la correcta determinacion del punto de terminacion de los animales en el confinamiento: Ventajas y desventajas del confinamiento, desde el punto de vista del dueño del confinamiento y del dueño de los animales. Proceedings Praderas y Forrajes-XXII Congreso Internacional de Transferencia de Tecnología agropecuaria CEA 2014, Asunción, Paraguay 3-4 November 2014, pp. 41-52.   Oltjen, J. W., and S. A. Gunter. 2015. Managing the herbage utilization and intake by cattle grazing rangelands. Animal Production Science 55:397-410.   Sainz, R. D., and J. W. Oltjen. 2015. Incorporation of a variable maintenance coefficient into calculations of residual feed intake. Canadian Journal of Animal Science vol. 95, DOI: 10.4141/cjas-2015-501.11111111   University of Illinois   Cassady, C., J. Adcock, K. M. Retallick, and D. W. Shike. 2015.  Heifer intake and feed efficiency as indicators of cow intake and efficiency. Midwest Section of Animal Sciences Meeting. Des Moines, IA. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (E-Suppl. 2): 050.       University of Kentucky   Cerny, K. L., L. Anderson, W. R. Burris, M. Rhoads, J. C. Matthews, and P. J. Bridges. 2015. Form of supplemental selenium fed to cycling cows affects systemic concentrations of progesterone, but not estradiol. Theriogenology doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.10.022.   Liao, S. F., J. A. Boling and J. C. Matthews. 2015. Gene expression profiling indicates an increased capacity for proline, serine, and ATP synthesis and mitochondrial mass, by the liver of steers grazing high vs. low endophyte-infected tall fescue. J. Anim. Sci. 93:1-13. doi:10.2527/jas2015-9193.   Miles, E. D., B. W. McBride, Y. Yang, S. F. Liao, J. A. Boling, P. J. Bridges, and J. C. Matthews. 2015. Glutamine synthetase (GS) and alanine transaminase expression are decreased in livers of aged vs. young beef cows and GS can be up-regulated by 17β-estradiol implants. J. Anim. Sci. 93:4500-4509. doi 10.2527/jas2015-9294.   Cerny, K. L., S. Garbacik, C. Skees, W. R. Burris, J. C. Matthews, P. J. Bridges. 2015. Gestational form of selenium in free-choice mineral mixes affects transcriptome profiles of neonatal calf testis, including those of steroidogenic and spermatogenic pathways. Biological Trace Element Research doi:10.1007/s12011-01500386-4.   Steele, M. A., Schiestel C., O. AlZahal, L. Dionissopoulus, A. H. Laarman, J. C. Matthews, and B. W. McBride. 2015. The periparturient period is associated with structural and transcriptomic adaptations of rumen papillae in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 98:2583-2595. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-8640.   <ol start="2014"> <li>C. Matthews, and P. J. Bridges. 2014. NutriPhysioGenomics applications to identify adaptations of cattle to consumption of ergot alkaloids and inorganic versus organic forms of selenium: altered nutritional, physiological and health states? Animal Production Science 54:1594-1604. doi.org/10.1071/AN14274.</li> </ol>   Gene Expression Omnibus (microarray datasets) deposited by James C. Matthews GSE62570 - Affymetrix WT Btau 4.0 Array (version 1) Gene Chip experiment (16 microarrays) associated with “Pituitary Gene Expression Profiles of Growing Beef Steers Grazing High versus Low Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Grass”.  James C. Matthews (PI). Released October 23, 2014.    University of Nebraska   Allison L. Knoell, Christopher L. Anderson, Anna Pesta, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein, and Samodha C. Fernando.  2015.  Effect of diet on the rumen microbial community composition of growing cattle and the role it plays in methane emissions.  Nebraska 2015 Beef Cattle Report.   Anna C. Pesta, Andrea K. Watson, Robert G. Bondurant, Samodha C. Fernando, and Galen E. Erickson. 2015.  Effects of Dietary Fat Source and Monensin on Methane Emissions, VFA Profile, and Performance of Finishing Steers.  Nebraska 2015 Beef Cattle Report. Allison L. Knoell, Christopher L. Anderson, Anna Pesta, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein, Samodha C. Fernando.  2015. Understanding interactions between diet, methane emissions and microbial community composition in growing and finishing beef cattle. Midwest Animal Science Meeting Des Moines, IA (March 16-18, 2015)   University of Tennessee   Barbero, R. P., Malheiros, E. B., Araújo, T. L. R., Nave, R. L. G., Mulliniks, J. T., Berchielli, T. T., Ruggieri, A. C., and Reis, R, A. 2015. Combining Marandu grass grazing height and supplementation level to optimize growth and productivity of yearling bulls. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 209, pp.110-118.   Mulliniks, J. T., Sawyer, J. E., Harrelson, F. W., Mathis, C. P., Cox, S. H., Löest, C. A. and Petersen, M. K., 2015. Effect of late gestation bodyweight change and condition score on progeny feedlot performance. Animal Production Science.   Petersen, M. K., Mueller, C. J., Mulliniks, J. T., Roberts, A. J., DelCurto, T. and Waterman, R. C., 2014. Beef Species Symposium: Potential limitations of NRC in predicting energetic requirements of beef females within western US grazing systems. J. Anim. Sci. 92(7), pp.2800-2808.   Barbero, R., Nave, R. L. G., and Mulliniks, J. T. 2014. Effect of forage species on the rumen microbial population to estimate methane production. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting.

Impact Statements

Feed constitutes a major input to beef production, and is, in fact, the largest single expense in most commercial beef production enterprises. Efficiency of feed utilization is, therefore, an obvious candidate for improvement in order to reduce cost of beef production. Studies conducted under the umbrella of W2010 will aid in the development of national and international genetic evaluation programs for improved feed efficiency. This, in turn, will allow beef cattle breeders to use high efficiency cattle in their herds to reduce the feed cost of production and improve profitability.

Date of Annual Report: 09/19/2016

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 07/21/2016 - 07/22/2016
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2015 - 09/30/2016

Participants

Members Present – Michael Davis (Ohio State U), Phillip Meyer (U Tennesse), Stephanie Hansen (Iowa State U), Roberto Sainz (UC Davis), Samodha Fernando (U Nebraska), James Oltjen (UC Davis) and Jennifer Thompson (Montana State U).

Guests Present - Casey Dykier (graduate student - UC Davis), Emily Andreini (graduate student - - UC Davis)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Multi-State Project W2010

Molecular Mechanisms that Regulate Efficiency of Feed Utilization in Beef Cattle.

Annual Meeting 2016 – Minutes.

Minutes for July 21^st 2016, W2010 multistate group meeting held at Salt Lake City, Utah.

The meeting was opened by Dr. Michael Davis at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present – Michael Davis (Ohio State U), Phillip Meyer (U Tennesse), Stephanie Hansen (Iowa State U), Roberto Sainz (UC Davis), Samodha Fernando (U Nebraska), James Oltjen (UC Davis) and Jennifer Thompson (Montana State U).

Guests Present - Casey Dykier (graduate student - UC Davis), Emily Andreini (graduate student - - UC Davis),

Agenda:

Business Meeting:

New Officers – Since the W2010 group did not meet last year, Michael Davis called the meeting to order and asked for any volunteers for the position of President and Secretary for 2017. Dr. Stephanie Hansen volunteered to take the President position for 2017 and was unanimously elected. For the secretary position, Dr. Roberto Sainz volunteered and was unanimously elected.

Feed efficiency symposium – The members discussed about having a feed efficiency symposium in 2017. Dr. Michael Davis reported that he already put in an application to have the symposium at the 2017 Midwest Animal science meetings. He had also contacted the beef, swine and dairy feed efficiency grant recipients to work together on this symposium. It was decided to have a join symposium with the feed efficiency grant recipients.

The Business meeting was followed by presentation of the station reports.

California – Roberto Sainz

Iowa – Stephanie Hansen

Montana – Jennifer Thomson

Nebraska – Samodha Fernando

Ohio – Mike Davis

Tennessee – Phillip Meyer

Adjournment: 10:00 p.m.

Accomplishments

W2010 Annual Report 2016 Summary Over the last year the W2010 project has contributed greatly towards enhancing the efficiency of feed utilization and increasing scientific knowledge of beef cattle feed efficiency. The worked performed by the W2010 multistate research group has been presented at national and regional scientific meetings. Additionally, graduate student training and partnerships with the industry has been a main focus of the group. The multidisciplinary group has focused their research on efficiency, the interactions between diet and microbiota composition in the feed efficiency phenotype and Genome wide association studies. More detailed information on each area is described in individual station reports. Outputs: Data outputs from experiments conducted by members of W2010 are described below. Committee members have submitted collaborative grant proposals. Several new collaborations have been established among the new members. Additional outputs of the W2010 group include, the planning of a feed efficiency symposium for 2017. Additionally, 16 peer-reviewed journal articles, 17 conference proceedings papers, 10 scientific abstracts, 4 experiment station/extension reports and 1 thesis dissertation have been published by this group on related topics during the past year  (listed in Publications). The group has also mentored graduate and undergraduate students and have provided opportunities for undergraduate research. As a result University of California-Davis graduate student Katherine C. Dykier presented the paper “Performance and net energy in high and low RFI beef cattle on restricted intake” at the California Animal Nutrition Conference in May, 2016 and won first prize for best graduate student paper and Iowa State graduate student Russell, J. R., won 2nd place in the Ph.D. poster competition for his paper “Influence of growing phase feed efficiency classification on finishing phase growth performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers fed different diet types”.   Activities:   University of California-Davis:  The California performed An extensive performance trial was recently concluded, in which 98 calves were fed individually and their intake, diet selection, gain, body composition, metabolic rate and microbiota were examined. Analyses are ongoing. This project has provided opportunities for training of 2 graduate and 12 undergraduate student assistants. Students participated in experimental design, care and handling of animals, sample collection and processing, and data analyses. Results of this research have been presented to stakeholders through Cooperative Extension workgroup meetings and cattle producer workshops. Experimental data analyzed to date indicate that compared to less efficient animals, more efficient cattle tend to a) deposit less fat and more lean tissue; b) have lower maintenance energy requirements; and c) possess less metabolic plasticity when subjected to a restricted feeding regime.     Iowa State University:  The Iowa experiment station conducted an experiment to understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI.   Feed efficiency (FE) can vary between individuals but sources of variation are not well characterized. Oxidative stress is among the biological mechanisms believed to contribute to variation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between FE, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stress in feedlot steers representing phenotypic extremes for FE. Crossbred beef steers (n = 181) fed 70d growing phase (GP) wholeshell corn–based (GCorn) or rye baleage and soybean hull–based (GRough) diets in GrowSafe bunks at the University of Missouri were shipped to Iowa State University where the 12 most feed efficient (HFE) and 12 least feed efficient (LFE) steers from each diet (n = 48; 467 kg [SD 51]) were selected for evaluation. Steers received diets similar to GP diets, and 3 d after arrival, blood was sampled to evaluate antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers for the GP following transit. Steers were transitioned to finishing phase (FP) cracked cornbased (FCorn) or dried distillers’ grains and soybean hull–based (FByp) diets, and on FP d 97, blood samples for the FP were collected. Data for the GP were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial, and data for the FP were analyzed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial using PROC MIXED of SAS. No GP diet × FP diet, FP diet × FE group, or 3way interactions were noted (P ≥ 0.11) for FP measures. Steers fed the G-Rough diet had greater (P = 0.04) GP plasma protein carbonyl concentrations. During the GP, HFE steers had greater (P ≤ 0.04) protein carbonyl and ratio of oxidized:reduced blood lysate glutathione concentrations than LFE steers. There were GP diet × FE group interactions (P ≤ 0.03) during the GP and FP. During the GP, total blood lysate superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was greater (P ≤ 0.03) in G-Rough/LFE steers than in G-Rough/ HFE and GCorn/LFE steers; GCorn/HFE steers were intermediate. The GRough/LFE steers had greater (P < 0.04) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity than other groups and greater (P = 0.03) plasma malondialdehyde concentrations than GCorn/LFE steers. During the FP, the GRough/LFE steers had greater (P ≤ 0.04) GPX activity than GRough/HFE and GCorn/LFE steers; GCorn/HFE steers were intermediate. The FByp diet had greater (P < 0.01) protein carbonyl than the FCorn diet, and no other FP diet effects were noted (P ≥ 0.3) for any FP measures. The GP diet and FE groups had stronger relationships with antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers measured for the GP than for the FP. Overall, antioxidant activity may play a role in FE as LFE steers, driven largely by GRough/LFE steers, had greater SOD activity and GPX activity than HFE steers, potentially using a greater proportion of energy otherwise available for tissue accretion.   A 5yr study was conducted using 985 crossbred steers (464 kg [SD 32]) fed in 6 separate, replicated groups to determine the influence of growing phase (GP) feed efficiency (FE) classification and diet type on finishing phase (FP) FE of steers. During the GP at the University of Missouri, steers were fed either a whole shell corn–based diet (GCorn; 528 steers) or a roughagebased diet (GRough; 457 steers) using GrowSafe feed bunks to measure DMI for 69 to 89 d. At the end of the GP, steers were ranked by residual feed intake (RFI) within diet, shipped to Iowa State University, and blocked into FP pens (5 to 6 steers/pen) by GP diet and RFI rank (upper, middle, or lower one third). Steers were transitioned to either FP cracked corn– or byproductbased diets and fed until 1.27 cm backfat was reached. After completion of the sixth group, average GP G:F within GP diet was calculated for each FP pen (168 total pens) using GP initial BW as a covariate (GCorn: 0.207 [SD 0.038]; GRough: 0.185 [SD 0.036]). Pens were classified as highly feed efficient (HFE; >0.5 SD from the G:F mean; 58 pens), mid feed efficient (MFE; ±0.5 SD from the G:F mean; 60 pens), or lowly feed efficient (LFE;   Findings: More work is needed to support these findings, but our initial work suggests that the type of diet fed to cattle during the feed efficiency assessment may influence which cattle are being selected as high versus low feed efficiency. This may be more important in roughage-based diets where gut fill and voluntary feed intake are large drivers of feed efficiency than in grain-based diets where chemostatic feedback dominates.    Impacts: Biological factors affecting feed efficiency in cattle are not fully understood and these data suggest that antioxidant capacity may contribute to differences in feed efficiency among cattle. The large feed efficiency trial conducted over multiple years suggests that feed efficiency is repeatable across growing and finishing phases and that differences in diet type may influence how cattle are ranked as feed efficient compared to others.   Work Planned for Next Year: Research in the coming year will focus on the impact of trace mineral status of cattle and subsequent influence on feed efficiency, with a particular emphasis on zinc nutrition.     Montana State University:   Montana State University conducted the following studies that fit the objectives of the W2010 multistate project: <ol> <li>To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization.</li> </ol> Current study evaluating individual animal variation in extreme high and extreme low RFI growing lambs. High and low RFI animals are identified after 42 day feeding trial. Evaluated the use of a human triaxial pedometer for measuring activity level in sheep (Manuscript submitted). Found differences in body composition for lambs divergent for RFI. More efficient lambs had heavier rumen and lung weights than inefficient lambs. Currently evaluating rumen microbiome, rumen histology, NMR serum metabolites and liver, muscle, and adipose gene expression related to divergent RFI class in growing lambs. <ol> <li>To discover physiological biomarkers and genetic markers for feed efficiency.</li> </ol> Collaboration with attached reference evaluating predictive power of blood metabolites measured by NMR on prediction of phenotypic variation in RFI in feedlot cattle with Texas A & M to confirm previous results with additional resolution. (result of this group) Ongoing Research: <ol> <li>Hatch Projects – Investigating the underlying physiology of economically important traits in livestock genetic improvement</li> <li>Wildlife Genomics – Bighorn sheep population study, Argali sheep in Kyrgyzstan</li> <li>Feed Efficiency – Sheep study analysis underway</li> <li>Funding for NSF, Wild Sheep Foundation, National Geographic for genotyping of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep</li> <li>Bair Ranch Foundation Funding for Candidate marker and gene identification in American Simmental Association Carcass Merit Project</li> <li>Bair Ranch Foundation Funding for Gene Expression Profiling in muscle of beef carcasses differing in quality grade.</li> </ol>   Recent Outputs: <ol> <li>Proceedings papers and presentations at WSASAS meeting, ASAS JAM, Montana State University College of Agriculture Research Report</li> <li>Approximately 2200 DNA samples archived on Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Cattle, and Sheep</li> <li>Submission of 2016 proposal to AFRI-NIFA Foundational Program A1231: High Throughput Metabolomics to Identify Beef Cattle Metabolic Phenotypes with Resistance to Nutritional Stress </li> </ol> Ohio State University: Following studies were conducted at Ohio State University as part of the W2010 project. Objective 1:  To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI.   Data were collected at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, from 1953 through 1980 from identical and fraternal twin beef and dairy females born in 1953, 1954, 1959, 1964, and 1969, and from crossbred females born as singles in 1974, and their progeny. Numbers of dams that weaned at least 1 calf and were included in the first analysis were 37, 45, and 56 in the 1964, 1969, and 1974 data sets, respectively. Respective numbers of dams that weaned 3 calves and were included in a second analysis were 6, 8, 8, 22, 33, and 33 in the 1953, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1974 experiments.    Individual feed consumption was measured at 28-d intervals from the time females were placed on the experiment until 3 calves were weaned or the dams had reached 5 yr of age.  Residual feed intake (RFI) and residual gain (RG) of the heifers that subsequently became the dams in this study were determined based on ADG and DMI from 240 d of age to first calving.  Various measures of cow efficiency were calculated on either a life cycle or actual lifetime basis using ratios of progeny and dam weight outputs to progeny and dam feed inputs.  As expected, residual feed intake was phenotypically independent of ADG and metabolic midweight (MWW), whereas the correlation between RFI and DMI was positive and highly significant (r = 0.59; P < 0.0001).  Feed intake was 9.5% less in low RFI heifers than in high RFI heifers and 8.3% less in medium RFI heifers compared to high RFI heifers.  Residual gain was highly correlated with ADG (r = 0.67; P < 0.0001) and had near 0 correlations with DMI and MWW.  Correlations of DMI, ADG, and MWW with cow efficiency ratios ranged from -0.20 to -0.51 and were generally highly significant, indicating that heifers that ate less, gained less weight, and had smaller MWW from 240 d of age to first calving had superior cow efficiency ratios.  RFI was not significantly correlated with age at puberty or age at calving.  Significant differences among the low, medium, and high RFI groups were not observed for any of the cow efficiency component traits.  RFI was not correlated with milk production during any of the 3 lactations. Results indicated that selection for increased RG would tend to result in earlier ages at puberty and calving along with increased milk production, but would also result in taller and heavier cows.  The RFI and RG of heifers exhibited small favorable correlations with subsequent cow efficiency ratios, indicating that heifers with superior RFI and RG became slightly more efficient cows.   Application of Findings: Results of this study do not indicate any serious antagonisms of postweaning heifer RFI with subsequent cow and progeny performance traits or with life cycle or actual lifetime cow efficiency.   The findings also suggest that selection for increased RG would tend to result in earlier ages at puberty and calving, along with increased milk production, but would also result in taller and heavier cows.   Impacts:Feed constitutes a major input to beef production, and is, in fact, the largest single expense in most commercial beef production enterprises.  Efficiency of feed utilization is, therefore, an obvious candidate for improvement in order to reduce cost of beef production.  Studies conducted under the umbrella of W2010 will aid in the development of national and international genetic evaluation programs for improved feed efficiency.  This, in turn, will allow beef cattle breeders to use high efficiency cattle in their herds to reduce the feed cost of production and improve profitability.   Future Work: A divergent selection experiment was initiated in 1989 to investigate the influence of changes in serum IGF-I concentration on economically important traits in purebred Angus beef cattle. The selection experiment included 100 spring-calving (50 high line and 50 low line) cows located at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, Belle Valley, OH.   Beginning with the 2009 breeding season, the selection criterion in the IGF-I selection lines was changed from serum IGF-I concentration to ME EPD as provided by the Red Angus Association of America.  Females in the high line are mated to high (undesirable) ME EPD bulls and cows and heifers in the low line are mated to low (desirable) ME EPD bulls.  The first calves produced in this project at the Ohio station were born in the spring 2010 calving season.  The selection experiment is ongoing.     Texas A&M University:  The following studies were carried out at Texas A&M University to meet the objectives of the W2010 multistate project: Objective 1:  To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI. A study was conducted to examine the associations between RFI, and metabolomic profiles and feeding behavior to identify potential biomarkers for RFI in feedlot cattle. Performance, dry matter intake (DMI) and feeding behavior traits were measured for 70 d in Angus crossbred steers using a GrowSafe system. Steers were classified into low (n = 52), medium (n = 64), and high (n = 52) RFI groups based on ± 0.5 SD from the mean RFI of 0.00 (SD = 0.82). Low RFI steers consumed 17% less (P < 0.0001) DMI (9.05 vs 10.89 ± 0.14 kg/d) and had 18% lesser (P < 0.0001) F:G (5.05 vs 6.11 ± 0.10) than high RFI steers, but ADG was not different (1.78 ± 0.04). Steers with low RFI generated $95 per head more (P < 0.001) profit compared to high-RFI steers even though carcass value was not affected by RFI classification. Blood samples were collected from steers with lowest RFI (n = 25) and highest RFI (n = 24) on day 70 of the trial, and serum metabolite concentrations analyzed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Partial least squares (PLS; MetaboAnalyst) were used to examine associations between RFI, and metabolites and feeding behavior traits. Of the 12 feeding behavior traits evaluated, 4 traits had variable of importance in projection score (VIP) that were > 1.0, which included head-down (HD) duration, bunk visit (BV) duration, non-feeding interval (NFI) duration, and head-down to meal duration ratio (HD:MD). The first 2 components of PLS accounted for 54% of between-animal variance in RFI. Steers with low RFI had longer (P < 0.001) NFI duration (less time at the bunk), 45% lower HD duration, 35% lower BV duration, and 32% lower HD:MD ratio than high RFI steers. Of the 44 metabolites detected by 1H-NMR, 5 metabolites had VIP scores > 2, which included glycine, betaine, tyrosine, valine, and leucine. The first 2 components of PLS accounted for 34% of between-animal variance in RFI. Steers with low RFI had higher (P < 0.001) concentrations of glycine, and lower (P < 0.06) concentrations of betaine, tyrosine, valine, and leucine than high-RFI steers. These preliminary results reveal that metabolomic profiling and feeding behavior may provide opportunities to identify biomarkers that are predictive of RFI in beef cattle. Further research is warranted to examine the repeatability and robustness of these biomarkers for prediction of RFI phenotypes in beef cattle. Findings: There is now considerable evidence that genetic variation exists in growing beef cattle for feed intake unaccounted for by differences in weight and growth rate, defined as residual feed intake (RFI), thereby providing opportunities to improve profitability of beef production systems through reductions in feed inputs, with minimal influences on growth or mature size. The expense of measuring feed intake has limited implementation of selection programs that target this trait. This project seeks to develop technologies to improve the genetic merit of beef cattle for feed efficiency in order to reduce production costs, mitigate environmental effects of beef production systems and improve the competitive position of beef producers. Residual feed intake is a trait that reflects inherent inter-animal variation in biologically relevant processes that are related to feed efficiency like nutrient digestibility. These studies seek to better understand the biological basis for genetic variation in RFI, and to determine if physiological biomarkers associated with RFI may be useful indicator traits for RFI.   Impacts: This project seeks to develop technologies to improve the genetic merit of beef cattle for feed efficiency in order to reduce production costs, mitigate environmental effects of beef production systems and improve the competitive position of beef producers. Results from these studies indicate that RFI is not phenotypically associated with SC or semen-quality traits. Further, these results suggest that between-animal variation in feeding activity is closely associated with phenotypic variation in RFI providing evidence that these behavioral traits may be useful indicator traits for RFI in beef cattle.   University of Illinois:  Following studies were conducted at University of Illinois aimed at identifying the relationship of feed intake and feed efficiency across different diet types and biological time points. The results of these experiments will facilitate the identification and selection of females at a young age that will be more efficient cows. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between measures of feed efficiency in growing and mature animals, as well as across diet types. In Exp. 1, Post-weaning DMI, ADG, and backfat were evaluated on Angus and SimAngus heifers (n=623) over a 6-yr period. Heifers received similar forage-based diets, and individual DMI were recorded using the GrowSafe system. Residual feed intake (RFI), residual BW gain (RG), and residual intake and BW gain (RIG) were calculated. Heifers were classified into high, medium, or low RFI, RG, RIG, and DMI groups. The objective of this experiment was to determine the relationship between post-weaning feed efficiency and intake in heifers, and subsequent cow performance and reproduction as 2-yr-old cows. As heifer RFI improved, cow forage DMI was reduced (P < 0.01). The RFI classification did not affect (P ≥ 0.07) reproductive traits; calf birth or weaning BW; cow BW, milk production, backfat, or BCS. Heifer DMI was highly correlated (P < 0.05) to cow forage intake. Heifers classified as low DMI were least frequently (P < 0.01) kept as replacements and were youngest (P = 0.04) at first calving. Calves from cows, classified as high DMI heifers, had the greatest (P < 0.01) birth BW; yet, there were no differences (P=0.60) in weaning BW. Intake classification had no effect (P ≥ 0.07) on cow BCS, backfat, or milk production. Cows, classified as low DMI heifers, weighed the least (P = 0.02) and had reduced (P < 0.01) hip heights at 60- and 240-d postpartum. Cows, classified as low DMI heifers, had reduced (P ≤ 0.01) DMI compared to cows within the high heifer DMI group. These data indicate that females classified as more efficient have reduced cow DMI without compromising production traits. In Exp. 2, Charolais crossbred heifers and steers (n=628) were fed for two 70d periods and DMI, ADG, and 12th rib fat thickness were recorded. Steers were fed grain-based diets during the growing and finishing periods to determine the effects of test period and timing on DMI and feed efficiency. Heifers were fed forage during the growing period and grain during the finishing period to test the effect of diet type on DMI and measures of feed efficiency. For each 70d test period, individual DMI was recorded using the GrowSafe system. Residual feed intake was calculated for each test period. Total feeding period ADG (FP_ADG) was calculated for steers by regressing all weights taken from feedlot arrival to final BW, which was calculated by dividing HCW by a standard dressing percentage (63%). Dry matter intake and RFI were correlated (r=0.56; P<0.01, and 0.63; P<0.01, respectively) for the growing and finishing periods of grain-fed steers. Average daily gain was not repeatable (r=0.11; P=0.06) across both test periods for steers. However, growing and finishing ADG were correlated (r=0.58; P<0.01, and r=0.69; P<0.01, respectively) to FP_ADG. To assess the potential of shortening the intake test, DMI was analyzed in 7d increments for grain-fed steers during the growing period. Regardless of test length, from 7 to 70d, DMI was correlated (r≥0.87; P<0.01) to total DMI during the growing period. Heifer forage DMI was correlated (r=0.58; P<0.01) to grain DMI; and, heifer forage ADG was negatively correlated (r=-0.30; P<0.01) to grain ADG. Forage and grain RFI were moderately correlated (r=0.40; P<0.01) for heifers. Short-term Outcomes: One outcome of this project is the training and professional development of a PhD student. The student has not only had the experience of collecting and analyzing data but has also had the opportunity to attend professional meetings and present the results at field days to producers. Outputs: We have collected feed intake and performance data on >600 replacement heifers and subsequently collected intake and performance data on ~400 of these females as 2-yr-old cows and ~150 as 5-yr-old cows. We have also collected feed intake on different diet types during the growing and finishing period of over 600 feedlot cattle. Two manuscripts are currently in review. Activities: We have conducted experiments to achieve better understanding of relationships of feed intake and efficiency across different diet types and different biological time points. We have presented data at field days and conferences:  “Beef Cow Feed Efficiency” presented at the California Cattleman’s Association Annual Meeting, November 20, 2015 in Reno, NV “Effects of timing and duration of test period and diet type on intake and feed efficiency in Charolais-sired cattle” presented at the Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting, June 15, 2016 in Manhattan, KS   University of Kentucky At University of Kentucky research has been performed to understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization as quantified by traits such as RFI. KY Station will contribute to the achievement of Objective 1 by extracting RNA from animal’s demonstrating the extreme range of residual feed intake (RFI) performance (outlier animals; contributed by other stations) and conducting targeted and genomic expression profiles of selected tissues to determine the effect of RFI phenotype on known and elucidated regulatory and canonical gene networks.   What was accomplished: Improvement of feeding regimens for production animals has been hindered by a lack of fundamental knowledge about how the capacity to regulate nutrient absorption across cell membranes (a process mediated by “membrane transporters”) affects the function of metabolizing enzymes. The experimental hypothesis tested was that the expression pattern of hepatic glutamate transporter activity would shift as growing steers developed from growing to finishing production stages, in order to support increased hepatic glutamine synthetase activity and glutathione content in liver, Longissimus dorsi, and 12th-13th rib adipose tissues. Steers phenotypes were developed were developed and characterized, tissues harvested and fractionated, and biochemical activities and metabolite contents analyzed. The impacts of the above novel accomplishments and findings include the increased fundamental understandings that (1) hepatic canalicular and sinusoidal plasma membrane glutamate transport capacities, (2) total hepatic glutamine synthesis activity, and (3) glutathione content of Longissimus dorsi, and 12th-13th rib adipose tissues differentially shift as steers develop from growing (lean) to finishing (finished) production stages. These findings identify potential metabolic targets during critical developmental phases of fattening cattle, and that are of interest/applicable to both the production animal and biomedical communities.   Conclusion: We developed protocols for, and identified changes in expression of, glutamate transporter and utilizing enzyme activities likely to be associated with putative changes in hepatic metabolism in high versus low RFI growing cattle. Opportunities for Training and Professional Development: Graduate (3), and undergraduate (2) students, from the University of Kentucky and University of Guelph received training in (and conducted) the experimental design, statistical analyses, and bioinformatics analysis of targeted mRNA/protein and transcriptomic experiments. Dissemination of Results: Publication in peer-reviewed manuscripts and presentation at producer field days. Participants: Individuals: James Matthews (PI), Kwangwon Son (technician), Jing Huang (Ph.D. student), Qing Li (Ph.D. student), Yang Jia (Ph.D. student), Doreeyda Calcoa (B.S. student), Darcie Meimer (B.S. student). Partner Organizations: Alltech Biotechnology, Inc.; Agricultural Research Service - Forage and Animal Production Research Unit, Lexington, KY. Target Audiences: Cattleman associations; production- and biotechnology-based agriculture industries and academic representatives; biomedical and pharmaceutical community representatives. Outputs: The identification of treatment-affected pathway genes and proteins have identified biomarkers for future studies, as well as adding knowledge to the fundamental physiology of these gene products.   Impacts: Feed constitutes a major input to beef production, and is, in fact, the largest single expense in most commercial beef production enterprises. Efficiency of feed utilization is, therefore, an obvious candidate for improvement in order to reduce cost of beef production. Studies conducted under the umbrella of W2010 will aid in the development of national and international genetic evaluation programs for improved feed efficiency. This, in turn, will allow beef cattle breeders to use high efficiency cattle in their herds to reduce the feed cost of production and improve profitability.   Plans for the Next Year:  We will continue our elaboration of bovine gene products (mRNA and protein) in pathways likely to be differentially-expressed in high versus low RFI beef animals. We will also continue elaboration of gene products (mRNA and protein) and protein activities responsible for (primarily) alpha-keto acid and nitrogen metabolism in liver and other bovine tissues to facilitate their characterization in high and low RFI beef animals, identified by other W2010 participants.     University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture continues its research to investigate gut microbiome influences on beef cattle feed efficiency, as well as the effect of feed additives on gas and methane production and methanogen abundances.  Within the last year, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) has made several strides to fulfill the objectives of the W2010 Multistate Research Project.  The W2010 has four major objectives focusing on feed efficiency in beef production systems.  <ol> <li>To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization.</li> <li>To discover physiological biomarkers and genetic markers for RFI.</li> <li>To develop EPDs, informed by molecular studies in building multi-trait selection indices and decision-support tools to facilitate selection for improved FE in beef cattle.</li> <li>To develop producer educational programs to enhance technology adoption by the beef industry.</li> </ol>   Both researchers at this station actively and exclusively participate in objective one.  Within 2016, much basic research has been conducted to initially examine the microbial populations and associated changes within the gut as a function of varying feed efficiency phenotypes.  Novel associations were identified between the jejunal bacterial communities and feed efficiency in steers.  Specifically, these association were identified within specific microbial taxa and operational taxonomic units (OTU). Methods to these studies were also reevaluated and published as method manuscripts in order to facilitate novel research.  As methane production contributes to overall energy efficiency, especially in grazing beef cows, studies funded in 2015 were initiated to examine methane mitigation strategies, focusing on biochar supplementation utilizing in vitro studies. As publications are the primary tangible result expected from the project, our research findings were publicized to the academic community through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.  Some research findings were brought to classroom teaching. Graduate and undergraduate students were also involved in the research projects. The target audience includes producers, community, industry, commodity production groups, foundations, and other stakeholders involved in beef production. Outputs: Three research publications, three invited research talks at national meetings, and one invited review have been developed from this station in 2016 as a result of the W2010 multistate project.  Activities: We continue to work on research pertaining to adaptive mechanisms that promote energy efficiency in grazing beef cows and nutrition and host interactions with the ruminal and lower GIT microbial communities.  Specifically, we continue to progress with characterizing and understanding microbial influences in the rumen as a function of feed efficiency, methane production, and growth strategies. A graduate textbook entitled, “Beef Biotechnology”, is being developed among members of this multistate project and edited by Drs. Phillip R. Myer and Ky G. Pohler at the University of Tennessee Institute Of Agriculture. This textbook is being developed to address updates in animal science, scientific methods, and production in American beef systems. Its delivery is expected in 2018. Milestones: In order to develop a joint funding proposal including all participants who wish to contribute, as delineated in the project, two grant proposals were submitted to the USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Foundational Program, within the Animal Health and Production and Animal Products - Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation program area. These consisted of scientists from both the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and USDA-ARS-USMARC. Impact: Microbial community profiles of the jejunum from steers differing in feed efficiency Previously, associations between the bovine ruminal microbiome and feed efficiency have been reported, but few studies have examined the relationship between the microbial communities in distal portions of the GIT and feed efficiency. Within the jejunum, important functions include the enzymatic breakdown of nutrients and their absorption. This study was able to identify specific associations at the bacterial 16S-level with feed efficiency, ADG, and ADFI in the jejunum of steers. The majority of the taxa and OTU identified as associating with changes in feed efficiency in this study were related to the known fermentative and metabolic activities in the cattle jejunum, based on the putative microbial functions, and may also play a role in affecting downstream associations with the digesta and microbial communities in the distal GIT. Evaluation of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using two next generation sequencing technologies for phylogenetic analysis of the rumen bacterial community in steers. In this study, sequencing methods and technologies were scrutinized and examined to best determine the highly diverse steer rumen microbial communities and the impact of technology selection on resultant phylogenetic profiles.  The impact of this research allows insight and application to better conduct accurate community analyses for rumen microbiome studies. Two grants were awarded from industry sources to address feed efficiency and nutrition within beef cattle, entitled: <ul> <li>Effect of Biochar on Forage Digestibility, Methane Production, and Methanogens ($23,982) 12/07/15 – 8/31/2016</li> <li>Rumen protozoal community composition from growing steers differing in RFI ($228,617) 7/25/16 - 7/24/17</li> </ul> These projects will carry into 2017, with outputs and products delivered in the same year.     University of Nebraska Research at University of Nebraska is continuing to investigate the Genotype X microbiota interactions in the feed efficiency phenotype. Additionally, they are also investigating the microbial community composition in high and low efficiency animals to identify phenotypic traits in the Microbiome that affects feed efficiency. They are collaborating with USMARC (US Meat Animal Research Center) on this effort. To this effect, We have phenotyped over 600 animals for rumen microbial community composition. Additionally, all animals have been genotyped using the 50K SNP assays to develop a subset of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that can be used for selection and for QTL detection. Thus far, the GWAS analysis is underway. Additionally, we are focusing on identifying features of the microbiome that influences the feed efficiency phenotype. To this effect, we are using a sub set of data from USMARC looking at both steers and heifers. Data used in this study were collected from a cohort of heifers (n = 146) during 2009 and a cohort of steers (n = 141) during 2014. Animals came from a population of cattle that has been developed to have high percentages of the following breeds: Angus, Beefmaster, Brahman, Brangus, Braunveih, Charolais, Chiangus, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou, MARC II, MARC III, Red Angus, Red Angus × Simmental, Romosinuano, Salers, Santa Gertrudis, Shorthorn, and Simmental. Heifers were fed for 84 d a ration (dry matter basis) comprised of 70% corn silage and 30% alfalfa hay and steers were fed for 78 d a ration (dry matter basis) comprised of 57.6% dry-rolled corn, 30% wet distillers grains with solubles, 8% alfalfa hay, and 4.4% vitamin and mineral supplement. For each cohort, individual intake was measured using an Insentec feeding system (Marknesse, The Netherlands) and total body weight gain (BWG) was measured at the end of the feeding period for three consecutive d. In addition, a rumen sample was collected for all animals via esophageal tubing on the last day of the feeding period. Average daily dry matter intake (DMI) and BWG were calculated for each animal within cohort. Then, a linear model with breed fractions as covariates was fitted for both DMI and BWG and residuals were extracted. This was done to account for the inherent differences in DMI and BWG across breeds (Schenkel et al., 2011). Residuals of average daily BWG were regressed on residuals of average daily DMI for both steers and heifers. Based on the regressed data, four animals from each Cartesian quadrant (n=16/cohort) were sampled. This approach generated a 2 × 2 factorial design with DMI and BWG at two levels (high and low) (Fig 1).   Data processing and bacterial community analysis: Assembly of contigs and subsequent quality filtering that included removal of sequences with ambiguous bases, incorrect length, or improper assemble were done using MOTHUR v.1.36.1 (Schloss et al., 2009). Quality filtered sequences were then clustered into OTUs using the UPARSE pipeline (USEARCH v7.0.1090) (Edgar, 2013). Clustering steps included dereplication, sorting by size (descending and not retaining singletons), filtering of chimeras using UCHIME (Edgar et al., 2011) with ChimeraSlayer gold.fa as the reference database, and mapping sequences to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at a 97% identity threshold. Representative OTU sequences were assigned taxonomy using QIIME v.1.9.1 (Caporaso et al., 2010) with the MOTHUR method, which uses a naive bayes classifier similar to the RDP Classifier (Wang et al., 2007), and with the Greengenes database (McDonald et al., 2012) as reference sequences. Representative OTU sequences were aligned against the SILVA reference alignment database v123. OTU sequences that did not align correctly were removed to ensure all sequences overlapped the V4 region. Statistics: The OTU table was rarefied across samples to the lowest sample depth to 9,010 reads for the heifer cohort and 12455 for the steer cohort using QIIME based on the Mersenne Twister pseudorandom number generator. All statistical analyses were performed at an even depth across samples. Alpha metrics Chao1 and Shannon index were used to evaluate species richness and diversity across feed efficiency groups within cohort. Core bacterial community composition differences were evaluated using the weighted UniFrac distance matrix as an input for a permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). The weighted UniFrac distance matrix was also used in the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) to assess clustering between samples. To identify specific OTUs differences across feed efficiency phenotypes, the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used. Results and Outputs: Species richness (Chao1; t-test, P ≥ 0.72) and diversity (Shannon; t-test, P ≥ 0.46) did not differ across feed efficiency groups for both cohorts. Rarefaction curves displayed adequate sampling depth for both heifers and steers. In addition, bacterial communities of heifers and steers were characterized at 94% and 98%; respectively, based on Good’s coverage estimator. Overall, efficiency groups did not influence alpha diversity metrics.  For both heifers (PERMANOVA, P = 0.63) and steers (PERMANOVA, P = 0.12), samples did not clustered based on feed efficiency group in the PCoA plot. This meant that overall bacterial community composition was similar regardless of feed efficiency phenotype. However, at the OTU level, 65 OTUs across feed efficiency groups for heifers and 14 OTUs across feed efficiency groups for steers were found to differ (P < 0.05). Main differential OTUs belonged to the Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae families for heifers and the Lachnospiraceae and Prevotellaceae families for steers. Future work: Associations will be assessed between differential OTUs and feed efficiency phenotypes. Then a model will be built to predict feed efficiency phenotype from microbial features. Impact: Determining the underlying mechanisms of individual differences in the efficiency of feed utilization and improving our understanding of effects of selection for efficiency, management suggestions for producers, potential targets for improving efficiency, and ability to identify a biomarker.   Biological factors affecting feed efficiency in cattle are not fully understood and may include nutritional implications such as nutrient digestibility and utilization by the animal.   This project seeks to develop technologies to improve the genetic merit of beef cattle for feed efficiency in order to reduce production costs, mitigate environmental effects of beef production systems, and improve the competitive position of beef producers. Results from these studies indicate that RFI is not phenotypically associated with scrotal circumference or semen-quality traits. Further, these results suggest that between-animal variation in feeding activity is closely associated with phenotypic variation in RFI, providing evidence that these behavioral traits may be useful indicator traits for RFI in beef cattle. Identification of biomarkers for maintenance energy requirements will allow identification and selection of more efficient animals and therefore improve efficiency of production.   Feed constitutes a major input to beef production, and is, in fact, the largest single expense in most commercial beef production enterprises.  Efficiency of feed utilization is, therefore, an obvious candidate for improvement in order to reduce cost of beef production.  Studies conducted under the umbrella of W2010 will aid in the development of methods to manipulate the rumen microbial community to increase performance and to identify genetic factors that help structure microbial communities. This, in turn, will allow beef cattle breeders to use high efficiency cattle in their herds to reduce the feed cost of production and improve profitability.

Publications

Publications University of Califonia-Davis Dykier, K. C., and R. D. Sainz. 2016. Performance and net energy in high and low RFI beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci 94 (E-Suppl. 5): 7. Dykier, K. C., and R. D. Sainz. 2016. Performance and net energy in High and Low RFI beef cattle on restricted intake. J. Anim. Sci 94 (E-Suppl. 5): 115. Werth, S. J., J. W. Oltjen, E. Kebreab, and F. M. Mitloehner. 2016. A life cycle assessment of a beef feedlot finishing ration supply chain in California. J. Anim. Sci 94 (E-Suppl. 5): 568.   Iowa State Russell, J. R., and S. L. Hansen. 2015. Influence of Feed Efficiency Ranking on Diet Digestibility and Performance of Beef Steers. Iowa State University Animal Industry Report:2960. Russell, J., E. Lundy, S. L. Hansen.  2016. Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Feed Efficiency Classified Cattle Fed Corn or Roughage-Based Diets and Finished with Corn or Byproduct-Based Diets. Iowa State University Animal Industry Report. Russell, J. R., E. L. Lundy, N. O. Minton, W. J. Sexten, M. Kerley and S. L. Hansen. 2016. Influence of growing phase feed efficiency classification on finishing phase growth performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers fed different diet types. J. Anim. Sci. 94 (Suppl. 3) (Abstr.) 2nd place PhD poster competition. Russell, J. R., W. J. Sexten, M. S. Kerley, and S. L. Hansen. 2015. Relationship between antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress and feed efficiency in beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 93 (Suppl. 3):334. (Abstr.) Russell, J. R., N. O. Minton, W. Sexten, M. Kerley, S. L. Hansen. 2016. Influence of feed efficiency classification on diet digestibility and growth performance of beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. First look. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9949. Russell, J. R., E. L. Lundy, N. O. Minton, W. J. Sexten, M. S. Kerley, S. L. Hansen, and National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. 2016. Influence of growing phase feed efficiency classification on finishing phase growth performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers fed different diet types. J. Anim. Sci. 94:1610–1619.  doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-0267 Russell, J. R., N. O. Minton, W. J. Sexten, M. S. Kerley, S. L. Hansen, and National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. 2016. Influence of feed efficiency classification on diet digestibility and growth performance of beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. (in press). doi:10.2527/jas.2015-9949. Russell, J. R., W. J. Sexten, M. S. Kerley, and S. L. Hansen. 2016. Relationship between antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress, and feed efficiency in beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. (in press) doi:10.2527/jas.2016-0271. Russell, J. R. 2015. Feed efficiency in beef cattle: relationship with digestibility, antioxidant activity, oxidative stress, growth performance and carcass characteristics. Ph.D. Diss. Iowa State Univ., Ames.  Russell, J. R. 2015. Update on the feed efficiency project. Iowa State University Beef Nutrition Research Showcase. October. Ames, IA. Hansen, S. L. and D. L. Loy. 2015. Update on the feed efficiency project. NCCC-308 Regional Feedlot Committee Report. May. Scottsbluff, NE.                           Montana State University Lean, Ian, M. Lucy, J. McNamara, B. Bradford, E. Block, J. Thomson, J. Morton, P. Celi, A. Rabiee, J. Santos, W. Thatcher, S. LeBlanch. 2016. Invited Review: Recommendations for reporting intervention studies on reproductive performance in dairy cattle: Improving design, analysis, and interpretation of research on reproduction. Journal of Dairy Science. 99:1-17 Thomson, J. M. 2016. Impacts of Environment on Gene Expression and Epigenetic Modification in Grazing Animals. J Anim Sci. Accepted for publication M.D. Miller, G. E. Carstens, J. M. Thomson, J. G. Berardinelli, M.R. Herrygers, J. White, L. O. Tedeschi, P. K. Riggs. 2016. Associations between RFI, and metabolite profiles and feeding behavior traits in feedlot cattle. J. Anim Sci. 94 (E-suppl 5):1491 M.R. Herrygers, J. M. Thomson, K. A. Perz, K. B. Herrygers, K. Metcalf, M. Knerr, P. Merta, J. G. Berardinelli. 2016. Long-term progesterone influence on feed efficiency, body composition, non-esterified fatty acids and metabolic hormones in mature Rambouillet ewes. Proc. West. Sec. Am Soc. Anim. Sci. Vol. 68 <ol start="2016"> <li>A. Perz. J. G. Berardinelli, R. A. Shevitshi, J. W. White, J. M. Thomson. 2016. Use of a human tri-axial pedometer for measurement of sheep activity. Proc. West. Sec. Am Soc. Anim. Sci. Vol. 68</li> <li>F. Williams, J. A. Boles, M. R. Herrygers, J. G. Berardinelli, M. C. Meyers, J. M. Thomson. 2016. Relationship between current temperament measures and physiological responses to handling of feedlot cattle. Proc. West. Sec. Am Soc. Anim. Sci. Vol. 68</li> <li>A. Perz, J. G. Berardinelli, L. N. Park, R. K. Pollard, C. M. Page, W. C. Stewart, J. M Thomson. 2016. Repeatability of residual feed intake and indices of body composition in growing Columbia ewes fed the same diet. J. Anim Sci. 94 (E-suppl 5):777</li> </ol>   Ohio State University Davis, M. E., P. A. Lancaster, J. J. Rutledge, and L. V. Cundiff.  2016.  Life cycle efficiency of beef production:  VIII. Relationship between residual feed intake of heifers and subsequent cow efficiency ratios.  J. Anim. Sci. (in review).   Texas A&M University Carstens, G.E. How between-animal variation in feed efficiency and carcass-quality traits impacts profit of feedlot steers. Proc. of XVIII Symposium on Feedlot Cattle. Monterrey, Mexico. Pp. 20-25. <table> <tbody> <tr> <td width="774"> Jackson, K.S., G.E. Carstens, L.O. Tedeschi, and W.E. Pinchak. 2016. Changes in feeding behavior patterns and dry matter intake prior to clinical symptoms associated with bovine respiratory disease in growing bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 94:1644-1652. Jenks, M.L., G.E. Carstens, A.G. Cupples, J.E. Sawyer, W.E. Pinchak, K.S. Barling and E. Chevaux. 2015. Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii supplementation during the receiving period on growth efficiency, and behavioral and health responses in newly-weaned beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 93(E-Suppl. S3):606. Jackson, K.S., G.E. Carstens, A.G. Cupples, D.S. Hale, M.L. Jenks, J.R. Johnson, and R.K. Miller. 2105. Impact of between-animal variation in performance, carcass-quality and feed efficiency on profitability of Brangus steers. J. Anim. Sci. 93(E-Suppl. 2):21. Lancaster, P.A., G. E. Carstens, L.O. Tedeschi, T.P. Vining, N. DiLorenzo, and G.C. Lamb. 2015. Relationships between feed efficiency traits and indicators of energy expenditure in growing cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 93(E-Suppl. S3):835. Miller, M.D., G. E. Carstens, J. M. Thomson, J. G. Berardinelli, M. R. Herrygers, J. White, L. O. Tedeschi, and P. K. Riggs. 2016. Associations between residual feed intake and metabolite profles and feeding behavior traits in feedlot cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 94(E-Suppl. 5):711.   </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> University of Illinois Cassady, C., T. L. Felix, D. W. Shike. 2016. Effects of diet type and feeding phase on intake and feed efficiency of beef cattle. Midwest Section of Animal Sciences Meeting. Des Moines, IA. J. Anim. Sci. 94 (E-Suppl. 2): 379 Shike, D.W., C. J. Cassady, T. L. Felix, and J. E. Beever. 2016. Effects of timing and duration of test period and diet type on intake and feed efficiency in Charolais-sired cattle. Proc. 2016 Beef Improvement Federation: Research Symposium & Annual Meeting. Manhattan, KS p. 57-64.   University of Kentucky Liao, S. F., J. A. Boling, and J. C. Matthews. 2015. Gene Expression Profiling Indicates an Increased Capacity for Proline, Serine, and ATP Synthesis and Mitochondrial Mass, by the Liver of Steers Grazing High vs. Low Endophyte-infected Tall Fescue. Journal of Animal Science 93:5659-5671. doi:10.2527/jas2015-9193.   University of Tennessee Myer, P.R., Wells, J.E., Smith, T.P.L., Kuehn, L.A. and Freetly, H.C., 2016. Microbial community profiles of the jejunum from steers differing in feed efficiency. Journal of Animal Science, 94(1), pp.327-338. doi:10.2527/jas2015-9839. Myer, P., M. Kim, H. C. Freetly, and T. P. L. Smith.  2016.  Evaluation of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using two next generation sequencing technologies for phylogenetic analysis of the rumen bacterial community in steers. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 127:132–140. doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2016.06.004 Myer, P., M. Kim, H. C. Freetly, and T. P. L. Smith.  2016.  Metagenomic and near full-length 16S rRNA sequence data in support of the phylogenetic analysis of the rumen bacterial community in steers.  Data in Brief, 8:1048-1053. doi:10.1016/j.dib.2016.07.027 Mulliniks, J.T., Rius, A.G., Edwards, M.A., Edwards, S.R., Hobbs, J.D. and Nave, R.L.G., 2015. FORAGES AND PASTURES SYMPOSIUM: Improving efficiency of production in pasture-and range-based beef and dairy systems. Journal of Animal Science, 93(6):2609-2615. doi:10.2527/jas.2014-8595 Abstracts from scientific or discipline meetings; papers from conference proceedings Myer, P., M. Kim, H. C. Freetly, and T. P. L. Smith.  2016.  Evaluation of 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing Using Two Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies for Phylogenetic Analysis of the Rumen Bacterial Community in Steers.  Microbe 2016; American Society for Microbiology General Meeting, Boston, MA. <ol start="2016"> <li>C. Freetly, and P. Myer. 2016. Feed efficiency and the microbiota of the alimentary tract.  Proceedings of the Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting and Symposium, June 14-17, 2016, Manhattan, KS. p. 65-74.  (invited)</li> </ol> Myer, P., J. E. Wells, T. P. L. Smith, L. A. Kuehn, and H. C. Freetly.  2016.  Gut bacterial communities and their association with production parameters in beef cattle.  Journal of Animal Science, 94(Supplement 2)183-184.  (invited) Myer, P., J. E. Wells, T. P. L. Smith, L. A. Kuehn, and H. C. Freetly.  2016.  Analysis of the gut microbiome in beef cattle and its association with feed intake, growth, and efficiency.  Journal of Animal Science, 94 (E-Supplement 5) 211-212.  (invited)   University of Nebraska Paz, HA, Anderson, CL, Muller, MJ, Kononoff, PJ, and Fernando SC. 2016. Rumen Bacterial Community Composition in Holstein and Jersey Cows Is Different under Same Dietary Condition and Is Not Affected by Sampling Method. Frontiers in Microbiology <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.01206">http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.01206</a> Christopher L. Anderson, Galen E. Erickson, Jim C. MacDonald, and Samodha C. Fernando. 2016. Rumen bacterial communities can be adapted faster to high concentrate diets than currently implemented feedlot programs. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 120 (3): 588-599 doi: 10.1111/jam.13039 Ramirez-Ramirez, Hugo; Harvatine, Kevin; Castillo Lopez, E; Fernando, SC; Aluthge, N; Jenkins, Chad; Anderson, Christopher; Kononoff, Paul.. 2015. Reduced fat dried distillers grains with solubles reduces the risk for milk fat depression and supports milk production and ruminal fermentation in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 99 (3): 1912-1928 Abstracts Sanjay Antony-Babu, Jennifer Clarke and Samodha C. Fernando. 2016. Metagenomics reveals larger role of syntrophic eubacteria in rumen methane production. International Society of Microbial Ecology, Montreal, Canada. August 21st to 26th Tom, W.T., Judy, J.J., Kononoff, P.J., Fernando, S. C. (2016, July). 16S rRNA Bacterial sequences suggest dietary intervention can be used to change microbial community structure to reduce methane emission in Holstein dairy cattle. Joint Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science (WSASAS), and the Canadian Society of Animal Science (CSAS), Salt Lake City, UT Judy, J.J., Brown-Brandi, T., Fernando, S. C., Kononoff, P.J. (2016, July). Manipulation of lactating dairy cows diets using reduced-fat distillers grains, corn oil and calcium sulfate to reduce methane production measured by indirect calorimetry. Joint Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), The American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science (WSASAS), and the Canadian Society of Animal Science (CSAS), Salt Lake City, UT Alterations of the rumen bacterial and archaeal communites in growing and Finishing beef cattle and its effects on methane emissions. Allison L. Knoell1, Christopher L. Anderson, Anna Pesta, Galen Erickson, Terry Klopfenstein, Samodha C. Fernando (2016). Midwest Animal Science Meeting Des Moines, IA (March 12-16   Effect of protein supplementation of low-quality forage diets on enteric methane production of beef steers. A.L. Shreck, N. D. Aluthge, J.S. Jennings, S.C. Fernando, and N.A. Cole (2015). Joint Annual Science Meeting held by the American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science and Canadian Society of Animal Science, Orlando, FL (July 12-16) Greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen cycling from beef production systems: Effects of climate, season, production system, and diet. Galen E. Erickson, Samodha C. Fernando, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Andrea K. Watson, James C. MacDonald, Anna C. Pesta, Allison L. Knoell, and Henry Paz (2015). Joint Annual Science Meeting held by the American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science and Canadian Society of Animal Science, Orlando, FL (July 12-16)

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 05/23/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/13/2017 - 03/13/2017
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2017 - 09/30/2017

Participants

Stephanie Hansen, Iowa State Univ.;
Jim Oltjen, University of California, Davis;
Daniel Shike, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana;
Mike Davis, The Ohio State University;
Samodha Fernando, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Omaha, Nebraska

March 13, 2017

President: Stephanie Hansen

Secretary: Roberto D. Sainz (Jim Oltjen took on-site notes)

Meeting called to order by Dr. Hansen at 8 am, with introductions. Attending were Stephanie Hansen (Iowa), Daniel Shike (Illinois), Mike Davis (Ohio), Jim Oltjen (California), and Samodha Fernando (Nebraska).

Presentations were made by Drs. Shike, Davis, Oltjen, and Fernando. Residual Feed intake and efficiency, basic models using quail, and microbial effects and interactions with trace minerals were discussed.

In a business meeting, discussion about W-2010 terminating September 30, 2018, followed. Due to low attendance at committee meetings, and recognition that beef efficiency work is now being incorporated in many research projects and even other regional committee’s objectives, it was suggested that for now no plans for continuing the project be made. Current W-2010 members should be encouraged to join other regional research committees.

Administrative Advisor Bret Hess called in, and said that if several committee members wanted to renew, a draft renewal would be due to him by the end of 2017. Plans for the 2018 meeting were discussed, and tentative plans are for jointly meeting with WCGALP in Auckland February 11-16, 2018.

Dr. Shike was elected secretary for next year, and Dr. Sainz moves from secretary to president. So that the 2017 report can be submitted by Dr. Hansen within 60 days written reports from all committee members are due to Dr. Hansen by May 1, 2017 (she will email out guidelines later this week). Dr. Sainz will plan next year’s meeting.

Dr. Hansen discussed her studies on oxidative stress in both low and high RFI animals. Also genetic markers for these are being investigated. She also said that much of her current research is on trace mineral nutrition.

The meeting closed before noon.

Accomplishments

SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES General: Again in 2017 members of the W2010 committee achieved goals that address enhancement of feed efficiency, advancing knowledge regarding mechanisms by which cattle feed efficiency is affected. The meeting was held in conjunction with the Midwest ASAS meeting, as this meeting is typically attended by many members of the committee. This year, 5 committee members met to discuss novel approaches improve feed efficiency in beef cattle. One important discussion point at the meeting was that the field of feed efficiency has expanded significantly in recent years, and many academics engaged in this area of research are involved with other committees more specific to their disciplines. Written station reports were submitted by 7 members (CA, IA, IL, KY, MO, MT, OH, TN). Our current report demonstrates the overall outcomes, outputs, activities, milestones and impacts as a group. Overall, the W2010 multistate group continues to maintain active research programs, in areas ranging from microbiome to oxidative stress, and repeatability of feed efficiency ranking. Members are focused on sharing results at national and regional meetings, through meetings targeted at both academic peers and beef cattle producers through extension efforts. Outputs The reporting period for this report is shorter than normal, as the gap between when the last report was submitted and this one is around 9 months. Committee members from 7 states made several presentations to stakeholders in state, regional, national or international meetings. The presentations included webinars, cattle producer meetings, and scientific meetings across the US. Findings associated with W2010 Objectives were presented. In 2016-17, members of the committee published 13 refereed journal articles, 9 papers in proceedings, 5 abstracts on project objectives.   These outputs were communicated to academia, beef producers, feed industries, pharmaceutical industries, and consulting nutritionists. Activities/Accomplishments Objective 1: To understand biological sources of variation in efficiency of feed utilization. Kentucky contributed to the achievement of Objective 1 by extracting RNA from animal’s demonstrating the extreme range of residual feed intake (RFI) performance (outlier animals; contributed by other stations) and conducting targeted and genomic expression profiles of selected tissues to determine the effect of RFI phenotype on known and elucidated regulatory and canonical gene networks. The experimental goal was to determine if the expression pattern of hepatic transcriptome would shift in unselected RFI steers as steers developed from growing (predominately lean accretion) to finishing (predominately adipose accretion) production stages, as a baseline understanding for RFI-selected steers. Although the expression of S10010 and INHBA was not altered, expression of 6 other genes reported to be markers for differential residual feed intake phenotypes (AHSG, GHR, GSTM1, PCDH19, S100A10, SERPINI2, SOD3) actually was altered 30 to 570% as steers develop from growing to finished phenotypes. We also found physiologically important changes in finished vs. growing steer hepatic capacities for: (1) nitrogen metabolism: increased capacities for ammonia, arginine, and urea production and shunting of amino acid carbons into pyruvate; (2) carbohydrate metabolism: increased capacity for glycogen synthesis and decreased glycolytic capacity; (3) lipid metabolism: increased capacity for fatty acid b-oxidation and lipid storage but decreased capacity for fatty acid activation and desaturation; and (4) decreased redox capacity and inflammatory responses, with X receptor/retinoid X receptor activation as the most probable mechanism coordinating lipid metabolism and immune response events. These findings identify potential metabolic targets during critical developmental phases of fattening cattle, and that are of interest/applicable to both the production animal and biomedical communities. Kentucky members developed protocols for, and identified changes in expression of, hepatic transcriptome profiles likely to be associated with putative changes in hepatic metabolism in high versus low RFI growing cattle. From Tennessee, both researchers at this station actively and exclusively participate in objective one. Within 2017, much basic research has been conducted to initially examine the microbial populations and associated changes within the gut as a function of varying feed efficiency phenotypes. As methane production contributes to overall energy efficiency, especially in grazing beef cows, funded studies were initiated to examine methane mitigation strategies, focusing on biochar supplementation utilizing in vitro studies. Several peer-reviewed manuscripts are expected in the coming year, encompassing both research and methods development. In Missouri, a multi-year project was initiated using spring-calving (N=350) and fall-calving (N=100) registered Hereford cows managed in 13 contemporary groups on 1,200-ha ranch in southern Missouri. Body weight and body condition score at weaning, and body condition score at calving were measured on spring-calving cows in 2016. Birth date and weight, and weaning date and weight were measured on spring-born calves in 2016. Body condition score at calving was measured on fall-calving cows, and birth date and weight were measured on fall-born calves in 2016. Forage samples were collected monthly for each contemporary group. Additionally, samples of hay and winter supplemental feed were collected. Montana conducted a study evaluating individual animal variation in extreme high and extreme low RFI growing lambs. High and low RFI animals are identified after 42 day feeding trial. Found differences in body composition for lambs divergent for RFI. More efficient lambs had heavier rumen and lung weights than inefficient lambs, also the microbial profiles of different regions of the GI tract differ (manuscript submitted and accepted). Currently evaluating rumen histology, NMR serum metabolites and liver, muscle, and adipose gene expression related to divergent RFI class in growing lambs. Ohio examined retrospective data, collected at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, from 1953 through 1980 from identical and fraternal twin beef and dairy females born in 1953, 1954, 1959, 1964, and 1969, and from crossbred females born as singles in 1974, and their progeny. Numbers of dams that weaned at least 1 calf and were included in the first analysis were 37, 45, and 56 in the 1964, 1969, and 1974 data sets, respectively. Respective numbers of dams that weaned 3 calves and were included in a second analysis were 6, 8, 8, 22, 33, and 33 in the 1953, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, and 1974 experiments.  Individual feed consumption was measured at 28-d intervals from the time females were placed on the experiment until 3 calves were weaned or the dams had reached 5 yr of age.  Residual feed intake (RFI) and residual gain (RG) of the heifers that subsequently became the dams in this study were determined based on ADG and DMI from 240 d of age to first calving.  Various measures of cow efficiency were calculated on either a life cycle or actual lifetime basis using ratios of progeny and dam weight outputs to progeny and dam feed inputs.  As expected, RFI was phenotypically independent of ADG and metabolic midweight (MMW), whereas the correlation between RFI and DMI was positive and highly significant (r = 0.67; P < 0.0001).  Residual gain was highly correlated with ADG (r = 0.75; P < 0.0001) and had near 0 correlations with DMI and MMW.  Correlations of RFI with cow efficiency ratios that included harvest weight, carcass weight, or weight of trimmed wholesale cuts as measures of output ranged from –0.05 (P > 0.10) to -0.17 (P < 0.10), indicating that heifers with better (i.e., more negative) RFI values tended to become slightly more efficient cows.  Correlations of RG with life cycle and actual lifetime cow efficiency ratios ranged from 0.08 (P > 0.10) to 0.23 (P < 0.05), demonstrating that heifers with better (i.e., more positive) values for RG were somewhat more efficient as cows.  Correlations of DMI and MMW with life cycle cow efficiency ratios that did not include cow salvage value as output ranged from -0.15 (P < 0.10) to -0.22 (P < 0.01).  Correlations of DMI and MMW with actual lifetime cow efficiency ratios ranged from -0.20 (P < 0.05) to -0.36 (P < 0.001).  Therefore, smaller heifers that ate less from 240 d of age to first calving had superior cow efficiency ratios.  RFI and RG were generally not significantly correlated with dam weight at weaning of first, second, or third calf, harvest weights, carcass weights, or trimmed wholesale cut weights of progeny, feed consumption of the dam, or preweaning and postweaning feed consumption of the progeny.  Correlations of RFI with carcass grade, backfat thickness, marbling score, and kidney fat of progeny ranged from 0.11 (P > 0.10) to 0.20 (P < 0.05), indicating that heifers with superior RFI would tend to produce leaner offspring. In Illinois, 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between measures of feed efficiency in growing and mature animals, as well as across diet types. In Exp. 1, Post-weaning DMI, ADG, and backfat were evaluated on Angus and SimAngus heifers (n=623) over a 6-yr period. Heifers received similar forage-based diets, and individual DMI were recorded using the GrowSafe system. Residual feed intake (RFI), residual BW gain (RG), and residual intake and BW gain (RIG) were calculated. Heifers were classified into high, medium, or low RFI, RG, RIG, and DMI groups. The objective of this experiment was to determine the relationship between post-weaning feed efficiency and intake in heifers, and subsequent cow performance and reproduction as 2-yr-old cows. As heifer RFI improved, cow forage DMI was reduced (P < 0.01). The RFI classification did not affect (P ≥ 0.07) reproductive traits; calf birth or weaning BW; cow BW, milk production, backfat, or BCS. Heifer DMI was highly correlated (P < 0.05) to cow forage intake. Heifers classified as low DMI were least frequently (P < 0.01) kept as replacements and were youngest (P = 0.04) at first calving. Calves from cows, classified as high DMI heifers, had the greatest (P < 0.01) birth BW; yet, there were no differences (P=0.60) in weaning BW. Intake classification had no effect (P ≥ 0.07) on cow BCS, backfat, or milk production. Cows, classified as low DMI heifers, weighed the least (P = 0.02) and had reduced (P < 0.01) hip heights at 60- and 240-d postpartum. Cows, classified as low DMI heifers, had reduced (P ≤ 0.01) DMI compared to cows within the high heifer DMI group. These data indicate that females classified as more efficient have reduced cow DMI without compromising production traits. In Exp. 2, Charolais crossbred heifers and steers (n=628) were fed for two 70d periods and DMI, ADG, and 12th rib fat thickness were recorded. Steers were fed grain-based diets during the growing and finishing periods to determine the effects of test period and timing on DMI and feed efficiency. Heifers were fed forage during the growing period and grain during the finishing period to test the effect of diet type on DMI and measures of feed efficiency. For each 70d test period, individual DMI was recorded using the GrowSafe system. Residual feed intake was calculated for each test period. Total feeding period ADG (FP_ADG) was calculated for steers by regressing all weights taken from feedlot arrival to final BW, which was calculated by dividing HCW by a standard dressing percentage (63%). Dry matter intake and RFI were correlated (r=0.56; P<0.01, and 0.63; P<0.01, respectively) for the growing and finishing periods of grain-fed steers. Average daily gain was not repeatable (r=0.11; P=0.06) across both test periods for steers. However, growing and finishing ADG were correlated (r=0.58; P<0.01, and r=0.69; P<0.01, respectively) to FP_ADG. To assess the potential of shortening the intake test, DMI was analyzed in 7d increments for grain-fed steers during the growing period. Regardless of test length, from 7 to 70d, DMI was correlated (r≥0.87; P<0.01) to total DMI during the growing period. Heifer forage DMI was correlated (r=0.58; P<0.01) to grain DMI; and, heifer forage ADG was negatively correlated (r=-0.30; P<0.01) to grain ADG. Forage and grain RFI were moderately correlated (r=0.40; P<0.01) for heifers. In Iowa, a study was conducted evaluating the effects of trace mineral repletion on cattle performance. Steers fed high sulfur diets had decreased trace mineral status, and when status was repleted cattle with improving trace mineral status had better feed efficiency. This supports previous work in poultry and beef cattle suggesting minerals may be quite important in battling oxidative stress and subsequently improve cattle feed efficiency.   Objective 2: To discover physiological biomarkers and genetic markers for feed efficiency. Montana, along with collaborators, worked towards evaluating predictive power of blood metabolites measured by NMR on prediction of phenotypic variation in RFI in feedlot cattle with Texas A & M to confirm previous results with additional resolution. (result of this group) Objective 3: To develop EPDs, informed by molecular studies in building multi-trait selection indices and decision-support tools to facilitate selection for improved feed efficiency in beef cattle. California investigated the genetic and technological improvements needed in beef cattle production in order to integrate the data from populations of beef cattle to develop improved models for high accuracy EPDs for RFI and other production traits. Objective 4: To develop producer educational programs to enhance technology adoption by the beef industry. Members of the committee from University of Illinois and Iowa State University contributed data and program development ideas to the extension efforts of the USDA beef feed efficiency project  in this, its final year. This included presentations of research findings at meetings such as BIF, but also included development of fact sheets and other extension programs to enhance adoption of feed efficiency improvement strategies, both genetically and nutritionally. MILESTONES In Ohio, a divergent selection experiment was initiated in 1989 to investigate the influence of changes in serum IGF-I concentration on economically important traits in purebred Angus beef cattle. The selection experiment included 100 spring-calving (50 high line and 50 low line) cows located at the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, Belle Valley, OH. Beginning with the 2009 breeding season, the selection criterion in the IGF-I selection lines was changed from serum IGF-I concentration to ME EPD as provided by the Red Angus Association of America.  Females in the high line are mated to high (undesirable) ME EPD bulls and cows and heifers in the low line are mated to low (desirable) ME EPD bulls.  The first calves produced in this project at the Ohio station were born in the spring 2010 calving season.  The selection experiment is ongoing. Many collaborative relationships between members of this committee are well established, and newer members continue this tradition. For example, in order to develop a joint funding proposal including all participants who wish to contribute, as delineated in the project, two grant proposals are in preparation to the USDA-NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program, Foundational Program, within the Animal Health and Production and Animal Products - Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation program area. Another proposal was submitted to NSF – Dimensions of Biodiversity. Proposals submitted or in preparation consisted of scientists from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, The University of Tennessee, USDA-ARS-USMARC, and NIMBioS (National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis).

Publications

Cassady, C. J., T. L. Felix, J. E. Beever, D. W. Shike, and National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. 2016. Effects of timing and duration of test period and diet type on intake and feed efficiency of Charolais-sired cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 94:4748-4758.  Doi:10.2527/jas2016-0633 Davis, M. E., P. A. Lancaster, J. J. Rutledge, and L. V. Cundiff.  2016.  Life cycle efficiency of beef production:  VIII. Relationship between residual feed intake of heifers and subsequent cow efficiency ratios.  J. Anim. Sci. 94:4860–4871.  doi:10.2527/jas2016-0690. Davis, ME, PA Lancaster, JJ Rutledge, LV Cundiff. 2016. Life cycle efficiency of beef production: VIII. Relationship between residual feed intake of heifers and subsequent cow efficiency ratios. J. Anim. Sci. 94:4860. Edwards, S.E., Hobbs, J.D., and Mulliniks, J.T. 2017. High milk production decreases cow-calf productivity within a highly available feed resource environment. Translational Animal Science, 1(1), pp.54-59. doi:10.2527/tas2016.0006. Jackson, J. J., M. D. Lindemann, J. A. Boling, and J. C. Matthews. 2015. Summer-long Grazing of High versus Low Endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum)-infected Tall Fescue by Growing Beef Steers Results in Distinct Temporal Blood Analyte Response Patterns, with Poor Correlation to Serum Prolactin Levels. Frontiers in Veterinary Science doi:10.3389/fvets.2015.00077. Lean, Ian, M. Lucy, J. McNamara, B. Bradford, E. Block, J. Thomson, J. Morton, P. Celi, A. Rabiee, J. Santos, W. Thatcher, S. LeBlanc. 2016. Invited Review: Recommendations for reporting intervention studies on reproductive performance in dairy cattle: Improving design, analysis, and interpretation of research on reproduction. Journal of Dairy Science. 99:1-17 Matthews, J. C., J. Huang, and G. Rentfrow. 2016. High-affinity Glutamate Transporter and Glutamine Synthetase Content in Longissimus Dorsi and Adipose Tissues of Growing Angus Steers Differs Among Suckling, Weanling, Backgrounding, and Finishing Production Stages. Journal of Animal Science 94:1267-75. doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9901. McFarlane, Z. D., Myer, P. R., Cope, E. R., Evans, N. D., Bone, C., Biss, B. E., and Mulliniks, J. T.  2017.  Effect of biochar type and size on in vitro rumen fermentation of orchardgrass hay.  Agricultural Sciences. doi: 10.4236/as.2017.84023 Miles, E. D., B. W. McBride, J. A. Boling, P. J. Bridges, and J.C. Matthews. Effect of 17β-estradiol administration on hepatic glutamine synthetase, β-catenin, and GPR30 in young and aged beef cows. Accepted by Canadian Journal of Animal Sciences as manuscript CJAS1-2016-0002.R2. Myer, P. R., Wells, J.E., Smith, T.P.L., Kuehn, L.A., and Freetly, H.C. 2017. Analysis of the gut bacterial communities in beef cattle and their association with feed intake, growth, and efficiency.  Journal of Animal Science. doi: 10.2527/jas2016.1059. In-press Perea, K., K. Perz, S. K. Olivo, A. Williams, M. Lachman, S. L. Ishaq, J. Thomson, C. J. Yeoman. 2017. Feed efficiency phenotypes in lambs involve changes in ruminal, colonic, and small intestine-located microbiota. J. Anim Sci. In Press Old, C.A., J.W. Oltjen, J.R. Miller, N. Ohanesian, R.G. Hinders, W. Vogt and D.A. Sapienza. 2016. Reliability of in vivo, in vitro, in silico, and near infrared estimates of pure stand alfalfa hay quality: Component degradability and metabolizability of energy. The Professional Animal Scientist 32: 470-483. Thomson, J. M. 2016. Impacts of Environment on Gene Expression and Epigenetic Modification in Grazing Animals. J Anim Sci. 94(S6):63–73 Proceedings and Technical Reports: Garrott, Robert A., Kelly M. Proffitt, Jay J. Rotella, Jim Berardinelli, Jennifer Thomson, Elizabeth P. Flesch, Carson J. Butler, Ethan Lula, and Rashelle Lambert. “The Role of Disease, Habitat, Individual Condition, and Herd Attributes on Bighorn Sheep Recruitment and Population Dynamics in Montana.” Annual Report. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Grant. Montana: Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Montana State University, February 15, 2017. Hansen, S. L., J. R. Russell, N. O. Minton, W. J. Sexten, M. S. Kerley, E. L. Lundy, E. K. Niedermayer, and National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. 2016. Effects of diet digestibility on feed efficiency and impact of diet type and feeding phase on repeatability of feed efficiency phenotype. Proceedings of the Beef Improvement Federation Conference. Manhattan, KS. Pgs. 75-89. Oltjen, J.W., R.D. Sainz, L.G. Barioni and S.R. Medeiros. 2016. Rate of protein growth and energy for maintenance parameter changes in the Davis Growth Model. In: Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition (J. Skomial and H. Lapierre, Eds.) pp. 69-70. European Assoc. for Anim. Prod. Publ. No. 137. Perea, K., K. Perz, S. K. Olivo, A. Williams, M. Lachman, S. L. Ishaq, J. Thomson, C. J. Yeoman. 2017. Feed efficiency phenotypes in lambs involve changes in ruminal, colonic, and small intestine-located microbiota. Poster Presentation. Montana Nutrition Conference Perea, K., K. Perz, S. K. Olivo, A. Williams, M. Lachman, S. L. Ishaq, J. Thomson, C. J. Yeoman. 2017. Feed efficiency phenotypes in lambs involve changes in ruminal, colonic, and small intestine-located microbiota. Poster Presentation and Proceedings 2017 Congress on Gastrointestinal Function Sainz, R.D., K.C. Dykier, F.M. Mitloehner and J.W. Oltjen. 2016. Performance and body composition in high and low RFI beef cattle. In: Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition (J. Skomial and H. Lapierre, Eds.) pp. 101-102. European Assoc. for Anim. Prod. Publ. No. 137. Sainz, R.D., K.C. Dykier, F.M. Mitloehner and J.W. Oltjen. 2016. Energy metabolism in high and low RFI beef cattle. In: Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition (J. Skomial and H. Lapierre, Eds.) pp. 103-104. European Assoc. for Anim. Prod. Publ. No. 137. Shike, D.W., C. J. Cassady, T. L. Felix, and J. E. Beever. 2016. Effects of timing and duration of test period and diet type on intake and feed efficiency in Charolais-sired cattle. Proc. 2016 Beef Improvement Federation: Research Symposium & Annual Meeting. Manhattan, KS p. 57-64. Weaber, R. L., J. E. Beever, H. C. Freetly, D. J. Garrick, S. L. Hansen, K. A. Johnson, M. S. Kerley, D. D. Loy, E. Marques, H. L. Neibergs, E. J. Pollak, R. D. Schnabel, C. M. Seabury, D. W. Shike, M. L. Spangler, and J. F. Taylor. 2016.  Results of survey of stakeholders regarding knowledge of and attitudes towards feed efficiency and genetic improvement concepts.  Proceedings of the Beef Improvement Federation Conference. Manhattan, KS. Pgs. 90-94. Abstracts: Clemmons, B.A., Mulliniks, J.T., Donohoe, D.R., and Myer, P.R. 2016. Host animal genetic influence in rumen microbial community establishment in cows. UTIA Animal Science Graduate Student Poster Competition, UT Beef and Forage Center Graduate Research and Poster Symposium, UT Beef and Forage Center Annual Research and Recommendation Meeting, Dec 2016, Knoxville, TN. McFarlane, Z.D., Barbero, R.P., Oakes, R.N., and Mulliniks, J.T. 2017. Effect of forage species and supplement type on rumen kinetics and serum metabolites in developing beef heifers grazing winter forage. American Society of Animal Science Annual Conference. Salt Lake City, UT. Melchior, E.A., Hales, K.E., and Myer, P.R. 2017. The Effects of Feeding Monensin on Rumen Methanogenesis to a Group of Bred Heifers in a Drylot. Invited Talk. Microbe 2017. New Orleans, LA. Melchior, E.A., Hales, K.E., and Myer, P.R. 2017. The Effects of Feeding Monensin on Rumen Methanogenesis to a Group of Bred Heifers in a Drylot. Poster Presentation. Microbe 2017. New Orleans, LA. Melchior, E.A., Mulliniks, J.T., Batesm G.E., Smith, J., and Myer, P.R. 2016. The effect of endophyte infected tall fescue and isoflavones on rumen microbial populations and beef cattle production in Tennessee. UTIA Animal Science Graduate Student Poster Competition, UT Beef and Forage Center Graduate Research and Poster Symposium, UT Beef and Forage Center Annual Research and Recommendation Meeting, Dec 2016, Knoxville, TN.

Impact Statements

Additionally, work by this committee is aimed at identifying the relationship of feed intake and feed efficiency across different diet types and biological time points. The results of these experiments will facilitate the identification and selection of females at a young age that will be more efficient cows.