Simulation of net return using days to finish estimated breeding values in beef production
Date
2003
Authors
Cleveland, M.
Enns, R.
Umberger, W.
Golden, B.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
2003 Joint Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association and American Society of Animal Sciences Annual Meetings : Abstracts [electronic resource]: 86p.
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
American Society of Animal Sciences. Meeting (2003 : Phoenix, Arizona)
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine if sire genotype and choice of finish endpoint for progeny interact to affect net return. A model was developed to determine the distribution of progeny for three carcass traits, carcass weight (CW), backfat thickness (BF) and marbling score (MS), when feeding to a CW, BF or MS endpoint. Days to finish carcass weight (DCW), backfat thickness (DBF) and marbling score (DMS) estimated breeding values (EBV) were used to simulate feeding costs, grid revenue, and net return. Three sire days to finish genotypes, high (H), medium (M) and low (L), as indicated by EBV, were considered for each trait. An H EBV suggests above average days to finish, while an L EBV indicates a shorter than average time on feed. All possible combinations of EBV resulted in 27 distinct sire genotypes for days to finish. Assuming an average of 130 days to each endpoint, results showed that progeny from sires with H EBV for days to finish needed an average of 142 days to reach a constant CW, and 148 days to reach constant BF and MS endpoints, while progeny from L EBV sires needed an average of only 118 days or less to reach each endpoint. The results from the model indicated that considerable re-ranking occurred among sires for net return, suggesting an interaction between genotype and finish endpoint. Re-ranking resulted in changes of up to 20 positions at alternative endpoints for some sire genotypes. Net return was calculated using average yardage costs and grid revenue. When feeding to a constant CW or BF, the LHL sire (first character indicates the DCW, second, the DBF, and third, the DMS EBV) realized the highest return, while the LLL sire was most profitable at the BF endpoint. Progeny from sires with H EBV for DMS, when fed to the MS endpoint, were overall least profitable. With the inclusion of more precise costs of production, this type of model has the potential to become a selection and management tool using days to finish genetic predictions to assist producers in maximizing profitability.