Sorting Gate Shorts
Feed efficiency in focus
November 19, 2025
What traits catch your attention as you open a hot-off-the-press sale book this season? For some, especially those of you considering backgrounding your calves or retaining ownership, it might be the American Angus Association’s feedlot value ($F) dollar value index ($Value).
If it’s feed efficiency you’re interested in, dry-matter intake (DMI), residual average daily gain (RADG) and residual feed intake (RFI) — when available — could be helpful to notice, too.
With nearly 40,000 records from more than 800 U.S. herds, the Angus DMI dataset provides a strong foundation for evaluating feed efficiency.
Fig. 1: Distribution of dry-matter intake records across United States
Fig. 2 illustrates how different sources of information affect the accuracy levels of DMI expected progeny differences (EPDs). The comparison includes four groups of animals, ranging from those with no records to those with full genomic and phenotypic data.
Fig. 2: Distribution of DMI EPD accuracy given different amounts of information
The takeaway is clear: Accuracy improves as more information is added, with the highest average accuracy (0.361) seen in animals that have both genomic data and direct DMI records.
This reinforces a key message for breeders producing herd bulls and the buyers purchasing those bulls: While genomics are powerful, they’re not a substitute for phenotypes. Direct feed intake records provide the strongest signal for improving feed efficiency evaluations. While more expensive to collect than birthweights or weaning weights, investing in intake data collection not only boosts EPD accuracy, but also strengthens selection decisions that drive long-term profitability.
Read more about how dry-matter intake helps guide Angus breeding decisions in the Angus Journal®’s November 2025 “By The Numbers” column.
Editors note: Pedro Ramos is a geneticist with Angus Genetics Inc.
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA Vol. 17, No. 11-B
Topics: EPDs , Management , Selection , Sire Evaluation
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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