2008 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium

BIF Conferees Visit GrowSafe Systems Ltd.
Engineered feeding systems help track feed efficiency.

On the eve of the 2008 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium, GrowSafe Systems Ltd. hosted a “pitchfork fondue” supper, where symposium attendees learned about the company’s technology for evaluating feed efficiency in beef cattle.

The Calgary-based company has engineered feeding systems with multiple, computerized feeding stations that track feed consumption of individual animals. GrowSafe technology helps identify animals that eat the least amount of feed, but gain weight at acceptable rates and meet carcass quality targets.

Each feeding station accommodates only one animal at a time, and is equipped with a radio frequency scanning device capable of reading each animal’s electronic identification tag (EID). Each time a specific animal feeds, the event is recorded. Each feeding station’s feed bunk is equipped with scales, which allows the amount of feed each animal consumes per feeding event to be measured and recorded automatically.

Through research based on precise measurement of feed intake, the company’s researchers hope to enhance genetic selection of cattle with superior feed efficiency. GrowSafe units are used by university and private research facilities in Canada and the U.S. for collecting feed intake data.

Also on display was a GrowSafe Beef ™ unit, which is designed to aid cattle feeders with individual animal management. The solar-powered unit has six animal watering stations capable of monitoring pens of 250 to 300 animals. As each animal drinks, it is identified through its EID tag.

Water consumption and other data are captured and analyzed by computer software to identify sick animals or poor performers. The system can then be programmed to mark those animals with spray paint on their next visit to the waterer. The system can also aid identification of animals ready for market.

— by Troy Smith

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