Comparing the use of dry matter intake and residual feed intake to improve feed efficiency in Holstein cattle

Abstract

The inclusion of feed efficiency into breeding objectives for dairy cattle has been a topic of discussion for many years. As feed costs rise and the environmental impacts of agriculture are increasingly scrutinized, improving the efficiency at which dairy cows convert feed to milk is becoming more important. There are many ways to define feed efficiency, with much discussion surrounding optimal traits and strategies. The objective of this research was to compare the effects of holding dry matter intake constant while selecting to increase production versus selecting on residual feed intake, both of which can be considered potential mechanisms for improving feed efficiency in dairy cattle.

A subset of traits genetically evaluated in Canada were chosen to represent various aspects of the current breeding program. These traits included first parity measures for: 305-day fat yield, 305-day protein yield, body condition score, stature, age at first service (heifer), days from first service to conception, clinical ketosis, and displaced abomasum. Different breeding goals were considered using a deterministic modeling program. The inclusion of either dry matter intake or residual feed intake in the index was analyzed considering two methods. One scenario of the current breeding goal, where no selection pressure was applied on either dry matter intake or residual feed intake, and selection based on the indirect response was evaluated. The other method applied selection pressure to either hold dry matter intake constant or reduce residual feed intake, and the direct response to selection was evaluated. Annual genetic gain and monetary genetic gain were assessed for both scenarios.

When no selection pressure was applied, both traits had an unfavourable response to selection, whereas with direct selection pressure, the response was favourable for both traits. Selecting to hold dry matter intake constant while selecting to increase production had a similar response to selection for improving feed efficiency compared to selecting on residual feed intake. This could indicate that both dry matter intake and residual feed intake would be effective at improving the efficiency at which cows utilize their feed for milk production.