MISP Feedlot Productivity Data Collection
There has been a general improvement in average daily gain and feed efficiency of the northern feedlot industry.
| Project start date: | 28 February 2018 |
| Project end date: | 30 November 2020 |
| Publication date: | 17 January 2023 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
Summary
Feedlot closeouts are essential to define the productivity and profitability of lots of grain-fed cattle. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (F:G), cost of gain ($/kg ADG) and hot standard carcase weight (HSCW) are traditional metrics of performance for the industry. Whilst they are simple metrics, how they are calculated across the Australian feedlot industry varies due to the diversity of market categories, digestive tract and tissue shrink from point of purchase to point of sale, weighing conditions, and resourcing of data management.
Standards for industry wide data collection have not been implemented to address this diversity.
The Meat Industry Strategic Plan (2020) outlines key performance indicators (KPIs) and imperatives around productivity and profitability for feedlots between the 2015-16 and 2019-20 financial years:
1. Cost of Gain ($/kg liveweight) is reduced by 1.5% in real terms.
2. Minimum whole of sector productivity growth above baseline levels of 1%.
This project will determine whole of industry progress in feedlot productivity over this time period.
Objectives
Determine progress of productivity of the Australian feedlot industry from 1 July 2015 to 31 July 2020 across a range of market categories:
1. Percent change in average daily gain and hot carcase weight gain.
2. Percent change in feed efficiency and efficiency of hot carcase weight gain.
3. Percent change in cost of gain and cost of hot carcase weight gain in real terms.
Maintain confidentiality of data to inform R&D priorities.
Key findings
- Across northern feedlots in the database, both average daily gain and feed efficiency of cattle improved over the 5 year period for both HGP and HGP free programs.
- The project could not obtain access to commercial cost of gain data (commercial in confidence) and hence is not reported.
Benefits to industry
The project has identified a general improvement in performance of the northern feedlot industry over the 5 year period.
MLA action
MLA has presented the results of this research to the Australian Lot Feeders' Association.
Future research
MLA is currently investing in projects to enhance cattle productivity including shade and shelter research, rumen hydrogen capture to improve feed efficiency and probiotic research.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Joe McMeniman |
