An evaluation of an individual cattle management model for use in Australian feedlots

Abstract

Predicting the optimal endpoint of beef cattle is key to improve both productivity and profitability in feedlots. This requires accurate predictions of animal growth and their body composition over time which could greatly vary between breeds, diet and nutrition, and environmental factors. Prediction models such as the Cattle Value Discovery System (CVDS) predicts economic and carcase endpoints using user-input data including live animal, carcase measurements, and environmental factors (Tedeschi et al. 2004). The study aimed to evaluate the CVDS model to predict performance and carcase outcomes of Australian feedlot steers under commercial conditions. It was hypothesised that (a) the model can predict animal growth and final body weight with medium to high accuracy, and (b) observed and modelled growth, final body weight, empty body fat (EBF) and carcase traits differ among cattle breeds.