Beef

Genome-Wide Association Study of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle

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Abstract

Feed costs comprise the majority of beef production costs and feed intake has long been recognized as an economically relevant trait for beef cattle. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a function of feed intake and performance and reflects whether animals eat more or less than expected for a given level of production. The objectives of this study were to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with feedlot RFI in 4 different beef cattle populations. A total of 13 significant QTL over 10 different chromosomes were detected. The identified QTL had no overlap across 4 beef cattle populations reflecting different genetic makeup of RFI across different beef populations. Further genotyping and statistical analyses are needed to find the casual mutations. Once found, knowledge of such mutations would create new opportunities for the selection of more efficient animals.

Keywords: Animal Science

How to Cite:

Saatchi, M., Garrick, D. J. & Taylor, J., (2014) “Genome-Wide Association Study of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 11(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-1141