METHOD OF MANAGING AND MARKETING LIVESTOCK BASED ON GENETIC PROFILES

摘要

A method of managing and marketing a group of commercial animals, such as cattle, based on a predetermined genetic profile includes the steps of determining, prior to entry of an animal into a feedlot, a genotype of a subject animal with respect to genetic mark-ers for selected ones of at least the traits for growth; quality grade, yield grade, marbling, rib-eye muscle area, dressing percentage and meat tenderness, and feeding the animal utiliz-ing criteria based on the genotype of the animal. The animal is grouped with other animals into a subgroup having either a defined genotype, a similar animal economic value or a com-mon market endpoint, and the subgroup is assigned to a pen. The subgroup is managed, fed, slaughtered and marketed according to the genotypic profile for the subgroup. The animal is fed each day a ration having a quality determined by using a biological model of potential growth based on the genotypic profile of the animal. Weight and breed data of the animal are gathered at entry into a feedlot, and are used along with the biological model to predict an amount of growth of muscle and fat tissue for each of a plurality of hypothetical rations fed for respective hypothetical periods of time. A net value of the animal is estimated using a bioeconomic model along with at least a cost of feed ration, predicted yield and quality, and corresponding market price. An optimal time to send the subgroup to slaughter is de-termined based on at least the net value estimated using the bioeconomic model. Subgroups having a genotype corresponding to an undesirable genotype are identified and are managed differently.