Company says it combines genomic information, market conditions and feeding data to calculate optimum margins
Quantum Genetix debuted its new feedlot/cattle genomics technology at the recent Canada’s Farm Show in Regina, with technology that could change how feedlots feed and ship their animals.
“We have combined the genomic information of a feedlot animal, the market, market conditions, and also their feeding data, to allow producers to maximize their feeding margin for an animal.” said Kirsty McCormack, Quantum Genetix technical sales manager.
The technology costs $3 per animal and has been purchased by multiple feedlot operators in the United States.
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“We’re taking all the data they’re already collecting in the feedlot and telling them what’s the best endpoint to be marketing their cattle.”
According to McCormack, National Beef Audit said over-fed cattle carcasses are costing feedlots an average of $13 per head each day, and $12.23 each day in yield discounts. With Quantum Genetix’s technology, which tracks the data on an app and website, feedlots can optimally feed their cattle.
“We’re pushing our animals either too far or not far enough,” said McCormack, “so we help grow the animals to a point as an average pen before you start getting those discounts.”
The genetic samples are acquired with their “tissue tagger,” which takes a notch from the animal’s ear. The notch then gets sent to the lab and uploaded into the app along with the feeding programs to be calculated.
With the website and app having specific data for each animal, feedlots can group cattle into different categories depending on how much they should be fed, and for how long.
“We know from the genetics of the animal that some will grow quicker and be more efficient and some will be less quick and take more feed to reach the same point of readiness,” said McCormack.
In addition to feedlots, McCormack said the technology could be used by any size of farmer looking to optimize outputs.
“When you break it down, that $3 per animal is one day’s worth of feed, so if we’re able to tell you to ship your animals out a week earlier, we’re saving you up to seven days … of feed per animal.”
Quantum Genetix launched the product last month in the United States.
