Relationships between residual feed intake and feedlot performance, profitability, and carcass traits in Brahman cattle

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the feedlot performance, profitability and carcass traits of Brahman bulls classified according to the residual feed intake (RFI). Twenty-four bulls (19-month old, 370±34kg live weight) were housed in individual pens for 54 days and had the daily feed intake (observed dry matter intake, DMI obs ; DMI % live weight, LW) and average daily gain (ADG) measured. Ultrasound carcass evaluations were performed at the initial and final weighings, when measurements were taken of Longissimus dorsi area, ratio, Longissimus and Biceps femoris fat thickness. The animals were ranked and divided into high (>+0.5 standard deviation; SD), medium (between ±0.5 SD from the mean), and low (<-0.5 SD) RFI groups. Low-RFI animals had lower DMI obs (P<0.10) and DMI % LW (P<0.05). No significant differences in initial and final weight or ADG were noticed (P>0.05). Low-RFI animals showed lower weight gain cost and higher daily profit (P<0.05). Carcass traits were similar between groups, regardless of evaluation date (P>0.05). Selection for RFI lead to animals with lower feed intake without affecting weight gain or carcass traits, thereby providing increased profitability for beef cattle farming.Keywords: Bos indicus, feed conversion ratio, musculature, phenotype RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho, o lucro e as características de carcaça de tourinhos Brahman classificados de acordo com o consumo alimentar residual (CAR). Vinte e quatro tourinhos (19 meses de idade e 370±34kg de peso vivo) foram alojados em baias individuais por 54 dias para avaliação do consumo de alimentos (CMS obs ; CMS % peso vivo, PV) e ganho de peso diário (GMD). Avaliações de carcaça por ultrassonografia foram realizadas nas pesagens inicial e final, com mensurações da área do