Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Members Not Attending: Grant Crawford, Minnesota; Denny Crews, Colorado; Robert Dailey and Eugene Felton, West Virginia; Michael Davis and Thomas Turner, Ohio; Robert Herd, Australia; Gary Hansen, North Carolina; Robert Myer, Florida; Jane Parish, Mississippi; Roberto Sainz, California; Thomas Welsh, Texas; Robert Wettemann, Oklahoma; Scott Whisnant, North Carolina. Members of W-2177 present: Jan Busboom and Mark Nelson, Washington State University; Chris Calkins, University of Nebraska; Scott Fausti, South Dakota State University; Rodney Kott and John Paterson, Montana State University; Joe Parcell, University of Missouri, Dustin Pendell, Colorado State University and Glynn Tonser, Kansas State University. Guests: Dr. David Johnston, University of New England/AGBU in Armidale, Australia and Dr. Kent Anderson, Pfizer Beef Genomics. The annual meeting of the W1010 research project was held May 31 and June 1, 2011 at Montana State University. This was a joint meeting with the W2177 research project. The meeting was held immediately prior to the 2011 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting and Research Symposium also on the campus of Montana State University. The meeting was opened by Dr. Monty Kerley of Missouri, W1010 chair, and Dr. Glynn Tonser of Kansas, W2177 chair. Dr. John Paterson welcomed both groups to Montana State and Bozeman. The meetings were held in the new Animal and Range Science Building for which sheep and cattle ranchers of Montana raised $10 million of the $16 million needed to build the new facilities. Each of the stations attending prepared a brief written report and presented this information to the group in attendance. It was beneficial for both W1010 and W2177 participants to share their research findings and recognize how their research work was interwoven. Additionally, two invited talks were presented by Dr. David Johnston (Australia) and Dr. Kent Anderson. Each was asked to speak on how genomics were playing a part in beef efficiency traits in Australia and America, respectively. Dr. Bret Hess, Administrative Advisor to W1010, spoke on the proposed USDA budget and AFRI grant status for FY12. He noted in both the President and House budgets that earmarks are being eliminated. The money generally spent on the earmarks is being moved to basically hold budgets of AFRI and Hatch level to a slight reduction. Extension funding will be reduced. Bottom line is there will probably be fewer grants and most will be multi-disciplinary. The take home message on grants is to not give up and for those that continue to plan, they will be rewarded. In the business meeting of W1010, it was discussed how we did not have the proposed producer symposium at BIF this year. This was the year for a reproductive seminar on the opening night of BIF and therefore, we could not have the time slot. So, Dan Faulkner will discuss with Dr. Jeremy Taylor the concept of a joint producer seminar on beef cattle efficiency for a future NCBA meeting. In 2012, according to our Plan of Work, we are to have a research symposium on RFI. Dr. Rod Hill will broach the subject of having an ASAS Board sponsored symposium at next years annual meeting. A committee of Rod Hill, Lisa Kriese-Anderson, and James Oltjen was named by Monty Kerley to steer this research symposium. It was decided to focus on beef cattle and look how RFI affects growing/finishing cattle, cow/calf sector, cattle behavior, and how RFI is being adapted by the industry. The next meeting of W1010 will be held in conjunction with ASAS in Phoenix, AZ July 15-19, 2012. Allison Meyer of Wyoming was elected secretary, but she will not move to the chair position in 2012.

There appears to be a positive phenotypic association for residual feed intake (RFI) in calves fed forage diets and then fed grain diets. In two separate studies, the reported phenotypic correlations between forage-fed RFI and grain-fed RFI were 0.35 in Angus-Simmental heifers and 0.56 in Angus bulls. In both studies, age of calf is confounded with diet. Steers were classified for RFI (L, M, H) and studied for eating behavior. Steers with low (desirable) RFI values ate 15% less and were more efficient (F:G ratio) than high RFI values. Low RFI steers also had less carcass backfat and percentage intrasmuscular fat as compared to high RFI value steers. Steers with divergent RFI had distinctive feeding behavior patterns, and results suggest that feeding behavior traits may be an effective indicator trait for RFI in growing beef cattle. Steers with low RFI values had fewer bunk visits and spent less total time at the bunk eating than high RFI valued steers. However, low RFI steers took over 4 minutes longer to eat a meal that high RFI steers, and ate a similar number of meals as high RFI steers. Heifers were fed MGA and ractopamine HCL and also classified for RFI (L, M, H). The low RFI heifers did eat less and were 15% more efficient than high RFI heifers. However, there were no carcass differences or phenotypic correlations with Insulin, IGF-1, Glucose or NEFA concentrations. The relationship between maintenance energy (ME) EPD and RFI EPD remains unclear. Further interpretation of this relationship is greatly in need of further data and analysis. As the project progress and more progeny are generated, this relationship will become clearer. Calves produced from high-high and low-low RFI parents resulted in similar weaning weights. However, calves from the low-low matings ate 9% less feed with 13% higher feed to gain ratios in the feedlot saving approximately $100 in feed costs over the high-high progeny. The phenotypic correlation between RFI measured in heifer calves and dry matter intake (DMI) of those same heifers as cows changes depending on production cycle (rp = 0.20 in lactating cows and rp = 0.29 in dry cows). The phenotypic correlation between heifer RFI and heifer residual gain (RADG) is -0.18. Heifer RFI is not phenotypically related to cow body weight or hip height suggesting selection on RFI will not phenotypically alter cow size. The phenotypic correlation between heifer RADG and cow body weight is 0.21. This suggests selection using RADG phenotypically will increase cow size. There is no phenotypic correlation between NRC DMI to individual cow DMI. This suggests NRC is useful for pen feeding, but presents challenges when balancing on an individual basis. Bonsmara females with low RFI as heifers consumed 23% less forage during mid-gestation than high-RFI females, demonstrating that RFI of growing heifers was favorably associated with subsequent cow efficiency. Results suggest that between-animal variation in RFI was related to differences in heart rate and feeding behavior patterns. Angus cows were classified as having low, average or high maintenance energy requirements. During early lactation with ad libitum roughage, high maintenance energy cows had higher IGF-1 concentrations than low energy maintenance cows. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine plasma concentrations were influenced by maintenance energy classification of cows. This suggests IGF-1 and thyroxine could be biomarkers for maintenance energy in cows. Ruminal temperature was not affected by maintenance energy classification of cows pre-calving (fed to maintain body weight) or during early lactation (fed ad libitum roughage). IGF-1 levels for calves produced from low maintenance energy EPD Red Angus Bulls and low IGF-1 selected cows were higher (341 ± 20 ng/mL) than for calves produced from high maintenance energy EPD Red Angus Bulls and high IGF-1 selected cows (270 ± 17 ng.mL). Birth and weaning weights were also higher in the progeny of high maintenance energy EPD Red Angus Bulls and high IGF-1 selected cows. More progeny will need to be produced to determine if this trend holds true. The meeting minutes attachment file is a compilation of station reports.

Ahola, J.K., Skow, T.A., Hunt, C.W. and Hill, R.A. 2011. Relationship Between Residual Feed Intake and End Product Palatability in Longissimus Steaks from Steers Sired by Angus Bulls Divergent for Intramuscular Fat Expected Progeny Difference. Professional Animal Scientist.27:109-115. Bilgin, O.C., N. Esenbuga, and M.E. Davis. 2010. Comparison of models for describing the lactation curve of Awassi, Morkaraman, and Tushin Sheep. Archiv Tierzucht 53:447-456. Davis, M.E., and R. C.M. Simmen. 2010. Estimates of inbreeding depression for serum insulin-like growth factor I concentrations, body weights, and body weight gains in Angus beef cattle divergently selected for serum insulin-like growth factor I concentration. J. Anim. Sci. 88:552-561. Smith, S.N., M.E. Davis, and S.C. Loerch. 2010. Residual feed intake of Angus beef cattle divergently selected for feed conversion ratio. Livest. Sci. 132:41-47. Hafla, A.N., P.A. Lancaster, G.E. Carstens, D.W. Forrest, J.T. Fox, T.D. A. Forbes, M.E. Davis, R.D. Randel, and J.W. Holloway. 2011. Relationships between feed efficiency traits, and scrotal circumference and semen-quality traits in yearling bulls. J. Anim. Sci. (Accepted) Huang, H., H.C. Hines, K.M. Irvin, K. Lee, and M.E. Davis. 2011. Response to divergent selection for insulin-like growth factor-I concentration and correlated responses in growth traits in Angus cattle. J. Anim. Sci. (in review) Mendes, E.D.M, G.E. Carstens, L.O. Tedeschi, Pinchak, W.E. and T.H. Friend. 2011. Technical note: Validation of a system for monitoring feeding behavior in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.2527/jas.2010-3489. Qin, Q., M.E. Davis, S.J. Moeller, and T.B. Turner. 2011. Comparison of four growth curve models for estimating mature weight and correlations between mature weight and postweaning serum IGF-I concentration in Angus cattle. Animal (in review) Non-Refereed Articles: Johnson, K.A., H. Neibergs, J.J. Michal, G.E. Carstens, M. Settles, A. Hafla, T.D.A. Forbes, J.W. Holloway and A. Brosh. 2010. Differential expression of mitochondrial genes in liver from beef calves with divergent phenotypes for feed efficiency. In: G. Matteo Crovetto (Ed.), Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition. EAAP Pub. 127:7576. Crews, D.H., Jr., C.T. Pendley, G.E. Carstens, and E.D.M. Mendes. 2010. Genetic evaluation of feed intake and utilization traits in beef bulls. Proc. 9th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Leipzig, Germany. CD-ROM #0667. Hill, R.A., Kane, S.L., Ahola, J.K., Wulfhorst, J.D., Hough, R.L., Bolze Jr., R.P. and Keenan, L. (2010). Feed Efficiency Research and Outreach for the Beef Industry. National Research Initiative (USDA) Project Directors Meeting, July 15-16, Denver, CO. Hill, R.A., Kane, S.L., Ahola, J.K., Wulfhorst, J.D., Hough, R.L., Bolze Jr., R.P. and Keenan, L. (2011). Feed Efficiency Research and Outreach for the Beef Industry. National Research Initiative (USDA) Project Directors Meeting, April 18-19, Washington, D.C. Tedeschi, L.O., D.G. Fox, G.E. Carstens and C.L. Ferrell. 2010. The partial efficiency of use of metabolisable energy for growth in ruminants. Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition. EAAP Pub. 127:519-529. Thornton, K.J., Davis, L., Welch, C., Doumit, M., Hill, R.A. and Murdoch, G.K. (2010). Muscle Fiber Type is Altered by Selection of Sire for Maintenance Energy Proc., Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference, October 7-9, 2010, Vancouver, British Colombia Wulfhorst, J.D., Ahola, J.K., Kane, S.L., Keenan, L.D. and Hill, R.A. (2010). Factors affecting beef cattle producer perspectives on feed efficiency. Journal of Animal Science. 88: 3749-3758. Research Abstracts: Adcock, J. W., D. W. Shike, D. B. Faulkner, and K. M. Retallick. 2011. Utilizing heifer RFI to predict cow intake and efficiency. Midwestern section of American Society of Animal Science Abstract 81. (accessed: http://adsa.asas.org/midwest/2011/Midwest_Abstracts_2011-revised.pdf on 7/28/11). Bailey, J.C., G.E. Carstens, J.T. Walter, A.N. Hafla, E.D. Mendes, L.O. Tedeschi and R.K. Miller. 2011. Effects of residual feed intake classification and breed type on feed efficiency and feeding behavior traits in heifers fed a high-grain diet. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):366. Bailey, J.C., G.E. Carstens, J.W. Behrens, R.K. Miller, J.T. Walter, A.N. Hafla, L.O. Tedeschi and D.S. Hale. 2011. Temperament classification affects feed efficiency, feeding behavior and carcass value traits in heifers fed a high-grain diet. Proc. Plains Nutrition Council (Abstr.). Bailey, J.C., L.O. Tedeschi, E.D. Mendes and G.E. Carstens. 2011. Evaluation of bimodal distributions to determine meal criterion in heifers fed a high-grain diet. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):761. Hafla, A.N., G.E. Carstens, T.D.A. Forbes, J.C. Bailey and E.A. Dany. 2011. Heart rate and physical activity in growing Bonsmara heifers with divergent residual feed intake fed in confinement or on pasture. J. Anim. Sci. (In press). Hafla, A.N., G.E. Carstens, T.D.A. Forbes, J., C. Bailey, J.T. Walter, J.W. Holloway and J.G. Moreno. 2011. Relationship between postweaning RFI in heifers and intake and productivity of mid-gestation beef females. J. Anim. Sci. 89(E-Suppl. 1):416. McGee, M., Welch, C.M., Hall, J.B., Small, W. and Hill, R.A. (2011). Interactions of Residual Feed Intake and other Performance Parameters of Japanese Black (Wagyu) Bulls. Journal of Animal Science 89 (E Suppl. 2). Pye, T.A., B.H. Boehmer, and R.P. Wettemamnn. 2011. Maintenance energy requirements of gestating beef cows and plasma concentrations of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. J. Anim. Sci. (E-Suppl. 1)89:253-254 (accessed http://www.jtmtg.org/2011/abstracts/0251.PDF on 8/1/11). Soderquist, G.C., Welch, C.M., Murdoch, G.K., Ahola, J.K., Hall, J.B., Schneider, C. and Hill, R.A. (2011). Overview of IL-15/IL-15± Receptor and Their Role in Muscle Growth Related to Residual Feed Intake. Innovation Showcase. University of Idaho, April, 2011. (prize awarded). Walter, J.T., J.C. Bailey, G.E. Carstens, A.N. Hafla, E.D. Mendes and L.O. Tedeschi. 2011. Residual feed intake classification affects on feed efficiency and feeding behavior traits and net revenue in Angus-based composite steers. Proc. Plains Nutrition Council (Abstr.). Welch, C.M., Murdoch, G.K., Chapalamadugu, K., Thornton, K.J., Ahola, J.K., Hall, J.B. and Hill, R.A. (2011). Gene expression of Red Angus sired steers and heifers evaluated for residual feed intake Journal of Animal Science 89 (E- Suppl. 2). Thesis Qing, Q. 2010. Effect of Divergent Selection for Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) on Mature Weight and Growth Curves in Angus Cattle. M.S. Thesis. The Ohio State University, Columbus. Popular Press Published two articles for the Wyoming Roundup. Published on article for the University of Wyoming's Reflections publication. Published two articles for Hereford America.