CONSUMO ALIMENTAL RESIDUAL EM BOVINOS DE CORTE

Abstract

The objective of this work was to present a bibliographical review on the residual food consumption in beef cattle. New strategies to increase productivity have been studied and highlighted over the years in the beef cattle breeding sector. Residual food consumption (RFC) is a food efficiency measure that selects the animals based on their residual consumption. In other words, animals that consume more than expected are considered less efficient. On the other hand, the animals that consume less than expected are considered efficient. Despite the RFC's divergences in relation to economic interests characteristics such as carcass composition and meat quality, the RFC is an index considered favorable to be included in genetic improvement programs and it is also an option for breeders who want to select efficient animals in their cattle herd. The variability between animals of the same breed and the ability to transmit the characteristics RFC to the progeny also contributes to its inclusion in the genetic improvement programs. Some hormones are related to the variation in animal feed efficiency, such as IFG-1 (insulin- like growth factor type 1) and they are considered as potentials physiological markers, that is, they are indicatives of more efficient animals, becoming a relevant alternative in studies and it has been increasingly evaluated. In addition, the RFC is favorably related to the profitability and sustainability of beef cattle breeding.