Adaptability T. G. Jenkins US-MARC Clay Center, NE

1. Adaptability T. G. Jenkins US-MARC Clay Center, NE NBCEC

2. Topic NBCEC Brown Bagger series winter 2004 Workshop on Adaptability March 5-6, 2004 Noble Foundation, Ardmore OK Participants: Speakers invited to provide background on “adaptation” from non-animal production disciplines. J. Derr F. Provenza R. Browning, Jr. Producers representing diverse cattle production environment Southeast, Midwest Northern Plains, Northwest Southwest NBCEC

3. Working Discussion Points: Adaptability is a concept describing the reproductive success of favored individuals in a defined environment Phenotypic Genetic Adaptability is an ERT ? Suite of indicator traits that differ or receive different weightings across herds/regions Genetic evaluations conducted on indicator traits within herd/region NBCEC

4. Adaptability enhanced through improving animal’s fitness* for a defined production environment Forage selectivity Parasite tolerance Endophyte tolerance Heat tolerance Water requirements Nutrient requirements *fitness could be considered ability to express fecundity potential NBCEC

5. Simulate the Effect of Enhancing Productivity in Cow Herd by Improving Economically Relevant Trait: Adaptability NBCEC

6. Mean Potentials Birth weight Mature Weight Peak milk yield lb lb lb 73 1384 23 NBCEC

7. Management program Desired inventory 150 pregnant females January 1 Spring calving Fall weaning (200 d) 60 d breeding season Graze average pasture March 1 through weaning Graze residual November 1 through March 1 15 lb/cow/day of hay 1 lb/cow/day protein supplement Cull all open cows every fall All cows remove end of their 10th years of age All calves sold at weaning (replacement heifers excluded) $114.5/hwt average price NBCEC

8. Four Scenarios Identification Feed program Replacement rate Fitness LFert1030 as described 30/year - * Management change FedLFert1030 extend to breeding 30/year - LFert1037 as described 37/year - Genetic change HFert1030 as described 30/year + *Unable to meet target of 150 pregnant females January 1 inventory NBCEC

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10. Cows Over 5 Years of Age Calved Every Year LFert1030 FedLFert1030 LFert1037 HFert1030 36.0 % 38.2 % 35.0% 45.8% LFERT1030 normal practice FedLFert1030 increased energy supplementation prior to breeding LFert1037 increase number of replacement heifers each year HFert1030 adapted females NBCEC

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12. Mean Calving Distribution Day of calving LFert1030 FedLFert1030 LFert1037 HFert1030 1-21 d 48 49 46 58 22-42 d 21 22 21 20 43-62 d 15 18 19 13 >62 d 16 11 14 9 LFERT1030 normal practice FedLFert1030 increased energy supplementation prior to breeding LFert1037 increase number of replacement heifers each year HFert1030 adapted females NBCEC

13. Comparison of Predicted Five Year Productivity Means LFert1030 FedLFert1030* LFert1037* HFert1030* # sold lb sold # sold lb sold # sold lb sold # sold lb sold 96 42090 6 3300 9 3976 14 7683 *As deviation from LFERT1030 LFERT1030 normal practice FedLFert1030 increased energy supplementation prior to breeding LFert1037 increase number of replacement heifers each year HFert1030 adapted females NBCEC

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15. Comparison of Predicted Five Year Average Revenue and Feed Cost LFert1030 FedLFert1030* LFert1037* HFert1030* Revenue $ 48090 3780 4552 8797 Feed Costs $ 11286 5503 1839 1608 R-FC 36804 (1649) 2713 7189 * As deviation from LFERT1030 LFERT1030 normal practice FedLFert1030 increased energy supplementation prior to breeding LFert1037 increase number of replacement heifers each year HFert1030 adapted females NBCEC

16. Workshop on Adaptability NBCEC

17. Desired End Points: “White” paper providing definitive statement about: adaptability for beef production phenotypic vs. genetic Identification of potential indicator traits Potential structure for genetic evaluation with defined environment for those involved in the production of beef cattle NBCEC

18. Kansas City MO October 29-30, 2004 Sponsored by BIF NBCEC