What is feed efficiency in livestock production?

• A. The ratio of milk output to feed input
• B. The amount of weight gain achieved per unit of feed consumed
• C. The total feed cost per day
• D. The percentage of animals that gain weight

Answer: (B)

Feed efficiency is how effectively animals convert feed into body mass. It is measured as weight gain divided by the amount of feed consumed, over a specific period. For example, if an animal gains 4 kg while consuming 8 kg of feed, the feed efficiency is 0.5 kg gain per kg feed (often expressed as an FCR of 2:1, meaning 2 kg feed per 1 kg gain). This metric is central to profitability and sustainability because higher efficiency means more growth with less feed.

The other ideas describe different things: milk output per feed input can be a dairy-specific efficiency, but the general feed efficiency in livestock production is the weight gain per unit of feed. Total feed cost per day is a cost measure, not an efficiency. The percentage of animals that gain weight is a performance indicator, not a direct measure of how well feed is converted to gain.