Relationship between residual feed intake and radiated heat loss using infrared thermography in young beef bulls

Residual feed intake (RFI) has been used to select metabolically efficient cattle in beef breeding programs, particularly for sire selection. Adoption of genetic selection using RFI has been limited due to the cost and difficulty of measuring individual feed intake. An alternative method of predicting RFI is to measure radiated heat loss using infrared thermography (IRT) as previous studies have shown promise using this technique to predict metabolic efficiency in mature cows, heifers, and growing bulls. The objective of this study was to explore use of IRT to predict RFI in growing beef bulls. Sixty bulls in each of two years were fed either a forage-based or a grain-based ration. Eye (Ey) and cheek (Ck) surface temperatures were measured using infrared images of the head collected on 16 and 14 sample days in Years 1 and 2, respectively, using a FLIR S60 camera. In Year 2, infrared images were collected continuously using a within-pen FLIR A310 camera system. Bulls were grouped into low, medium and high classes based on ± 0.5 standard deviations of backfat adjusted residual feed intake (RFI_Fat); RFI_Fat values ranged from - 2.27 to + 2.61 kg DM day^-1 (mean=0.0; SD=0.61). Sample day Ey and Ck temperatures were pooled and an average temperature was calculated for individual bulls. Average Ey and Ck temperatures measured using the FLIR S60 and the within-pen camera did not differ significantly across low, medium and high RFI groups (P > 0.05). Temperature deviations associated with extremes in ambient temperature (placing animals outside their thermoneutral zone) or underlying subclinical health problems could bias results in IRT measurements and RFI ranking. Standardization of IRT data and the conditions during measurement is necessary to more accurately assess its potential use to predict RFI.