Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model
Incoming feeder calf production potential can be predicted based on phenotypic appearance, and nutrient supply can be optimized to match each animal’s specific production profile. Tailoring the supply, quality, and quantity of nutrients to the requirements for maximum profit could further support th...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Andreas H. R. Hentzen Dietmar E. Holm |
| author_facet | Andreas H. R. Hentzen Dietmar E. Holm |
| author_sort | Andreas H. R. Hentzen |
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| description | Incoming feeder calf production potential can be predicted based on phenotypic appearance, and nutrient supply can be optimized to match each animal’s specific production profile. Tailoring the supply, quality, and quantity of nutrients to the requirements for maximum profit could further support the economic pillar of sustainable livestock farming. Feeder calves (n = 104) were categorized into the production profiles (PP 1; PP 2; PP 3). Within each PP category, the allocated pens were subsequently randomized into three diets (high-, medium-, and low-production diets). Economic important traits were measured, and a deterministic model was created to evaluate economic implications. There was a significant interaction between the incoming feeder calf production profile and diet on the profit margin, with the PP 2 calves being most profitable when fed on the medium-production diet (profit margin = 4.81%). This was in stark contrast of the profit made by PP 2 calves fed on the low- or high-production diets (profit margin = 0.21% and −2.97%, respectively). PP 3 calves made a loss on all diets; however, this loss was reduced by 14% when fed on the low- compared to the medium-production diet (profit margin = −1.45% and −1.68%, respectively). PP 1 calves were profitable on all three diets although the margin was highest on the medium-production diet. In conclusion, the medium-production diet, representing the current industry norm in South Africa, is financially suitable for feeding calves with average production potential (PP 2), whereas the loss made by calves with low production potential (PP 3) can be reduced by adjusting the feed formulation for low production. More work is required to formulate diets that will maximize the profit made by calves with above average production potential (PP 1). |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-b0ebbec3b3c044ee910761e5e59228d02025-08-20T03:28:32ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011513190010.3390/ani15131900Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot ModelAndreas H. R. Hentzen0Dietmar E. Holm1Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South AfricaDepartment of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South AfricaIncoming feeder calf production potential can be predicted based on phenotypic appearance, and nutrient supply can be optimized to match each animal’s specific production profile. Tailoring the supply, quality, and quantity of nutrients to the requirements for maximum profit could further support the economic pillar of sustainable livestock farming. Feeder calves (n = 104) were categorized into the production profiles (PP 1; PP 2; PP 3). Within each PP category, the allocated pens were subsequently randomized into three diets (high-, medium-, and low-production diets). Economic important traits were measured, and a deterministic model was created to evaluate economic implications. There was a significant interaction between the incoming feeder calf production profile and diet on the profit margin, with the PP 2 calves being most profitable when fed on the medium-production diet (profit margin = 4.81%). This was in stark contrast of the profit made by PP 2 calves fed on the low- or high-production diets (profit margin = 0.21% and −2.97%, respectively). PP 3 calves made a loss on all diets; however, this loss was reduced by 14% when fed on the low- compared to the medium-production diet (profit margin = −1.45% and −1.68%, respectively). PP 1 calves were profitable on all three diets although the margin was highest on the medium-production diet. In conclusion, the medium-production diet, representing the current industry norm in South Africa, is financially suitable for feeding calves with average production potential (PP 2), whereas the loss made by calves with low production potential (PP 3) can be reduced by adjusting the feed formulation for low production. More work is required to formulate diets that will maximize the profit made by calves with above average production potential (PP 1).https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1900animal productionprecision livestock feedingphenotypic production traitsproduction profilingcattle feedloteconomic returns |
| spellingShingle | Andreas H. R. Hentzen Dietmar E. Holm Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model Animals animal production precision livestock feeding phenotypic production traits production profiling cattle feedlot economic returns |
| title | Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model |
| title_full | Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model |
| title_fullStr | Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model |
| title_short | Precision Feeding of Feedlot Calves Based on Phenotypic Production Profiles II. The Economic Value in a Feedlot Model |
| title_sort | precision feeding of feedlot calves based on phenotypic production profiles ii the economic value in a feedlot model |
| topic | animal production precision livestock feeding phenotypic production traits production profiling cattle feedlot economic returns |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1900 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andreashrhentzen precisionfeedingoffeedlotcalvesbasedonphenotypicproductionprofilesiitheeconomicvalueinafeedlotmodel AT dietmareholm precisionfeedingoffeedlotcalvesbasedonphenotypicproductionprofilesiitheeconomicvalueinafeedlotmodel |