Commercial Phenotyping
GrowSafe technology collects and analyzes data based on measures of feed disappearance for calculation of residual feed intake.
by Troy Smith, Angus Journal® field editor
BILOXI, Miss. (June 11, 2015) — The beef cattle industry’s interest in feed efficiency is not a new thing, but most cattle folk consider technologies for measuring the feed intake of individuals within a pen of cattle to be a recent development. Consequently, some 2015 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium attendees were surprised to learn that GrowSafe Systems Ltd. has been providing automated systems for measuring feed intake for 15 years.
Alison Sunstrum said GrowSafe has systems capable of measuring water intake of individual animals and, at the same time, measuring body weight. The data collection systems also monitor animal behaviors, including frequency and duration of feeding or watering events.
Alison Sunstrum, co-CEO of the Alberta-based company, spoke during a joint BIF committee breakout session, explaining how GrowSafe technology collects and analyzes data based on measures of feed disappearance from a trough for calculation of residual feed intake (RFI). She explained that RFI is thought to be an important trait for which breeders can apply selection pressure to achieve improved feed efficiency.
According to Sunstrum, GrowSafe equipment is currently in use at more than 120 locations in 23 states, seven provinces and numerous foreign countries. Forty percent of these locations are commercial performance-testing stations, while 60% of locations are privately owned farms and ranches. Every station’s technology is continuously upgraded and uniformly maintained.
Sunstrum said GrowSafe has systems capable of measuring water intake of individual animals and, at the same time, measuring body weight. The data collection systems also monitor animal behaviors, including frequency and duration of feeding or watering events.
“We’ve learned, for example, that animals that grow fast are less likely to feed at night. If they do feed at night, they feed very quickly,” said Sunstrum. “We also see evidence that afternoon feeders tend to grow fast and are efficient.”
Sunstrum said the ability to detect changes in behavior patterns may serve as early warnings of changes in an animal’s health status. Accordingly, there is potential to further develop GrowSafe systems to individually medicate ailing animals per individual specifications and without removing them from the feeding pen.
“Another goal is to develop systems capable of predicting, four weeks in advance of harvest, what animals’ hot carcass weights will be,” said Sunstrum. “That would help feeders pull growth-promoting feed additives at the most appropriate time.”
Sunstrum spoke during the joint session of the Cow Herd Efficiency and Adaptability Committee and the Live Animal, Carcass and End Product Committee.
The 2015 BIF Annual Convention was hosted by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Extension Service June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel in Biloxi. The Angus Journal and LiveAuctions.tv provide comprehensive online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com. Visit the Newsroom for summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio of the sessions; the Awards page for announcements of award winners; and the Photos page for photo galleries of the tour stops.
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of the Angus Journal®. Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.
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