Researchers at the University of Missouri may someday be able to help ranchers identify cattle that mysteriously have the ability to gain weight while eating less. By breeding herds of these otherwise ordinary animals, farmers may be able to decrease one of their significant business costs.
Cattle ⋅ Page 4
Taking a bite out of cattle feed costs
MU Southwest Center researchers identify genetics that make a more efficient cow
Escalating feed and fertilizer prices have eroded profitability in the beef industry nationwide. With over 54,000 beef operations and the second largest beef herd in the U.S., Missouri stands to lose a lot. Researchers at University of Missouri’s Southwest Center near Mt. Vernon, Mo., have found how many pounds a cow gains per pound of feed consumed varies between animals.