A recent study by the Agricultural Research Council has been conducted,to determine the non-genetic factors that have an effect on the feedlot performance of South African Brahman bulls. Most of the meat purchased on formal markets in South Africa is produced from cattle in a feedlot system. It has been found that a 1% improvement in feed efficiency has the same impact as a 3% increase in the rate of weight gain. Improvements in efficiency of beef production are vital for the long- term sustainability of the industry. The study analysed performance data from four centralised ARC testing stations, focusing on the results of Brahman bulls tested between 1982 and 2017.

Melville Ferreira - Senior Research Technician: Beef cattle at ARC Animal Production Dept.