Leaders in Feed Efficiency

What is Feed Efficiency?

Feed efficiency is simply an animal’s ability to convert the feed it eats into body weight, and ultimately carcass weight. This genetic trait is able to be scientifically identified and measured using a system pioneered by Genestar™ with results recorded as a ‘star rating’ (8 out of 8 being the best).

Traditional methods of a kilogram score showing how much less (or extra) an animal eats per day for average weight gain are also used successfully.

Maine-Anjou cattle have shown excellent results across the breed for the feed efficiency trait. It has made them highly desirable as feedlot cattle in the USA and makes them perfect for Australian conditions, where every blade of grass needs to be converted in a drought.

Carcass and feedlot trials

Tuelland Inc. have been involved in feedlotting Maine-Anjou cross cattle almost a decade. “The inherent disposition of the breed is second only to its ability to be profitable for the breeder and the feeder”.

AMAA feed trials (900 head) show conversions of 5.5-6.5 kg of dry matter to 1 kg of weight gain at daily gains averaging from 1.4 –1.7 kgs.

In a long experiment involving 215 cows from eight different breeds this studies objective was to determine productivity and feed requirements. Results showed Maine cows had the "lowest feed intake relative to weights of cow or calf and milk yield among the breeds they compared to." Also found, "pregnancy rate of cows favoured Maine cows."

Thirty years ago there was very little information about Maines, but time changed that quickly. Today as we move into the next century it's apparent that given Maines strong ability to make and save producers money, there's little question about their role of Maine-Anjou in the next century.