354 Awardee Talk: Midwest Cattle Feeding Over the Past 40 Years

Abstract

Abstract The success of a cattle feeding region is dependent on many factors including resources and technology. Forty years ago, the once-dominant Midwest region had lost its competitive advantage in both areas. Today this industry has reinvented itself. This presentation reviews this journey and looks forward to new opportunities. There have been at least two disruptive technologies that affected cattle feeding, especially in this region over this time. The first is the convergence of microcomputer technology with the development of growth models based on the California Net Energy System. Decisions based on this new knowledge had a profound impact on feed conversion, growth and management. The second disruptive technology was the development of the ethanol industry and widespread availability of corn coproducts, especially high moisture corn coproducts. This development brought large quantities of a very high-quality feedstuff and inclusions in beef finishing diets became standard. Considerable research and education were needed to develop cost effective feeding programs with this new opportunity. Other changes have occurred across the cattle feeding industry over this time. Cattle size and carcass weights have continued a linear increase. Carcass quality and marbling has increased due to genetic selection, feeding endpoints and other factors. Improved growth technologies have continued to be developed and evaluated. Nutritional requirements of cattle for some nutrients have been fine-tuned but more work is needed. Disruptive technologies in the future may involve the convergence of precision livestock technology, smart sensors, artificial intelligence. Engineering developments and energy costs will affect the future of feed processing and delivery. Regardless of future technologies successful cattle feeding in the future will require access to feed resources, excellent nutrition and health management and strategies to manage risk.