Tail hair the key to predicting cattle efficiency – University of Queensland research

The Australian study used tail hair to measure the nitrogen levels of Brahman steers. Photo / Supplied

Plucking a single tail hair could allow beef producers to quickly and easily identify the most efficient cattle, according to University of Queensland research.

The study found that measuring nitrogen levels in tail hair could identify cattle with superior nitrogen efficiency and better responses to urea supplementation.

Lead author and Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation PhD candidate, Brandon Fraser, said the results would help producers increase profit and make the most of resources.

“We want to be able to identify the animals that will gain weight better and faster with fewer supplements.”

Fraser said this was particularly relevant for cattle in northern Australia, where dry-season performance varied substantially when the grass was of low quality.

He said if producers could select the top 25% most efficient cows, they could keep them in the herd and sell the rest.

“Eventually, the selected heifers will produce more efficient calves, and we will get more bang for our buck in future generations.

“Producing beef with fewer resources means it’s cheaper for the farmer and ultimately the consumer.”

Previous research showed cattle that lost more nitrogen had impacted growth rates, but quantifying losses is time-consuming in large herds.

The study used tail hair to measure the nitrogen levels of Brahman steers fed different diets, including a medium-quality hay diet and another of hay with supplements.

“This study shows there is an opportunity to measure efficiency in a non-invasive way, which doesn’t require special treatment,” Fraser said.

Co-author associate professor Luis Prada e Silva said cattle that preserved nitrogen grew better.

“Good genetics remain good genetics with or without the supplement,” Prada e Silva said.

“The big picture here is to accept the efficiency of animals in the north depends on their ability to preserve nitrogen.

“If we accept that concept, this could be a game changer for targeted nutrition in northern beef systems.”

He said what was needed next was for genetic companies, or peak bodies in the industry, to create a way to give producers the ability to understand their cattle’s genetics better.

“That could be someone commercialising tail hair analysis or, as we’re doing with genetic companies, finding DNA markers so producers don’t have to wait three generations to know if the cow is good.

“From a science point of view, we need to incorporate traits like fertility, resilience and heat stress into a genetic analysis.”

The research was published in Animal Production Science and funded by Meat & Livestock Australia.