Leveraging the Potential of Molecular and Genetic Markers to Improve Feed Efficiency in Beef

Abstract Genetic and other molecular markers are powerful tools with the potential to improve livestock production traits, like feed efficiency. Feed efficiency is a complex biological trait mediated by many genes. Molecular based research, including transcriptome studies to evaluate gene expression profiles to determine the genes and pathways that contribute to feed efficiency in beef cattle have been widely performed over the last decade. Despite its widespread use, challenges remain in transcriptomic data analysis, in particular non-reproducibility of results between studies. These discrepancies exist for a number of reasons including small numbers of replicates, technical differences (e.g. sample preparation, sequencing platform), and biological differences (e.g., environmental, management, and genetic effects). Recent developments in technology and analytic tools provide an opportunity to integrate and synthesize the results of existing and future data. The potential to utilize these tools to have greater impact on feed efficiency will also be discussed. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.