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Microbial Biomarkers Differ for Various Feed Efficiency Metrics in Beef Cattle.

M Mikayla Dycus¹, Utsav Lamichhane¹, Katherine Feldmann¹

¹Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI

|December 11, 2025

Summary

Cattle feed efficiency is linked to specific gut microbes. The fecal microbiome showed greater differences in microbial families related to feed efficiency metrics like residual feed intake (RFI) than the rumen microbiome.

Keywords:

Angus feed conversion microbiome residual average daily gain residual feed intake

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Area of Science:

Animal Science
Microbiology
Genetics

Background:

Feed efficiency in cattle significantly impacts economic viability.
Feed efficiency is a complex trait influenced by various factors, including the microbiome.
Understanding the relationship between the microbiome and feed efficiency is crucial for improving livestock production.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify microbial taxa in Angus bull ruminal and fecal samples associated with key feed efficiency metrics.
To compare the influence of different feed efficiency metrics (RFI, RADG, FCR, AFCR) on the microbiome.
To assess the potential of microbiome analysis for predicting and improving cattle feed efficiency.

Main Methods:

Collected rumen and fecal samples from a large cohort of Angus bulls (n > 1100).
Classified animals into High, Medium, and Low categories for RFI, RADG, FCR, and AFCR within contemporary groups.
Utilized statistical analyses to determine significant differences in microbial taxa and diversity across feed efficiency classifications.

Main Results:

Residual average daily gain (RADG) showed the highest correlation with predicted profit.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) classification revealed differences in alpha diversity in both rumen and fecal samples.
The fecal microbiome exhibited more significant differences in microbial families related to feed efficiency (especially RFI) compared to the rumen microbiome.

Conclusions:

The choice of feed efficiency metric influences the identified microbial associations.
Fecal microbiome analysis may offer more accessible applications for assessing cattle feed efficiency.
Targeting specific microbial families in the fecal microbiome could be a strategy for enhancing feed efficiency in cattle.