Feed into Beef project

The previous UK guidance was based on AFRC, last updated in 1993. Since then, cattle genetics, feed materials, feeding systems and animal performance have all changed substantially, creating a long-recognised need to modernise the underlying nutrition models.

There is strong evidence that older guidance can under- or over-estimate nutritional requirements for different classes of beef cattle. AHDB commissioned Feed into Beef to improve the accuracy and relevance of the equations used to estimate feed intake, predict growth and carcass composition, and calculate energy and protein requirements.

This matters because better nutritional models provide a stronger basis for ration formulation, performance assessment and decision-making in commercial beef systems.

Feed into Beef shows that the nutritional requirements of modern beef cattle are not always well represented by older UK equations.

The project tells us that:

• modern cattle differ significantly from those on which older guidance was based
• feed intake can be predicted more accurately across a wider range of diets and feeding levels
• updated models are needed to better reflect modern cattle genotypes and production systems
• revised equations can improve estimates of growth, carcass composition, energy and protein requirements
• methane prediction can be better linked to diet, intake and liveweight

In practical terms, this means the Feed into Beef outputs provide a more representative basis for nutritionists, advisers and producers working with growing and finishing beef cattle.

The project focused on improving the prediction of:

• feed intake
• growth and carcass composition
• energy requirements
• protein requirements
• feed values and feed interactions
• methane emissions from beef cattle systems

A key aim was to deliver new guidelines for predicting beef cattle performance and feed requirements, including new equations for feed intake, revised models for growth and composition of modern beef genotypes, updated energy and protein requirement models, revised feed values for major feed categories, and methane prediction models for suckler cows and growing and finishing cattle.

Feed into Beef combined industry engagement with scientific model development and testing. The project included:

• defining industry needs and priorities
• developing and testing new equations
• incorporating on-farm information alongside model outputs
• integrating the models into a usable framework
• sharing findings through knowledge exchange and implementation activity

An Industry Advisory Group was also established to help steer the work and ensure the models were fit for purpose for UK beef systems and for those supporting farmers through feed and forage advice.

The project has produced updated nutrition equations and supporting outputs for the UK beef sector.

Sector: Beef & Lamb

Project code: 61110068

Project dates: 1 March 2018 to 31 March 2026

Funders: AHDB Beef & Lamb

AHDB sector cost: £600,209

Total project value: £648,809

Project leader: Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL)

Feed into Beef was funded by AHDB and delivered in partnership with:

• CIEL
• AFBI
• SRUC