Effects of Silage-Based Diets and Cattle Efficiency Type on Performance, Profitability, and Predicted CH 4 Emission of Backgrounding Steers

Mohammad Khakbazan, Hushton C. Block, John Huang, Jeff J. Colyn, Vern S. Baron, John A. Basarab, Changxi Li and Chinyere Ekine-Dzivenu
Additional contact information
Mohammad Khakbazan: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Brandon Research and Development Centre, 2701 Grand Valley Rd, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y3, Canada
Hushton C. Block: AAFC, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
John Huang: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Brandon Research and Development Centre, 2701 Grand Valley Rd, Brandon, MB R7A 5Y3, Canada
Jeff J. Colyn: AAFC, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
Vern S. Baron: AAFC, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
John A. Basarab: Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 16 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
Changxi Li: AAFC, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
Chinyere Ekine-Dzivenu: Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 16 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Feed costs are the largest expense in commercial beef production. Increasing cattle ( Bos taurus ) feed efficiency should reduce feed costs and increase beef profitability. This study used data from two years of a backgrounding trial conducted in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. The evaluation looked at economic and predicted CH 4 emission impacts of diet quality and cattle efficiency type in backgrounding systems. The hypothesis was that diet quality from use of barley ( Hordeum vulgare c.v. Canmore) or triticale ( x Triticosecale c.v. Bunker) silage-based diets and cattle efficiency type defined by residual feed intake would interact to affect profitability and CH 4 emissions. Effects of diet and cattle efficiency type on profitability and CO 2 e emissions were assessed using statistical and stochastic risk simulation. The profitability of beef backgrounding was affected by cattle efficiency type and diet quality with higher quality barley silage also lowering CO 2 e emissions. The difference in certainty equivalent (CAD~30 steer −1 ) of efficient steers on barley silage and inefficient steers on barley silage or efficient or inefficient steers on triticale silage supports a beef backgrounding producer focus on diet quality and cattle efficiency type. This study did not address potential agronomic differences, including yield, which could provide nuance to forage choice.

Keywords: cattle performance; net revenue; risk analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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