Beginning in 1997, the Western Australian Department of Agriculture ran a series of Feed Conversion Efficiency Trials at its Vasse Research Station near Bussleton. For four consecutive years (2000, 2001,2002, 2003) South Devon bulls averaged a significantly lower Feed Conversion Ratio than the other breeds in the trial.
The results of the trial completed in May 2003 are summarised below:
|
Trait
|
South
Devon
|
Charolais
|
Limousin
|
Murray
Grey |
Sussex
|
|
Feed Conversion Ratio |
5.9
|
6.5
|
6.6
|
7.2
|
7.8
|
|
Daily
Weight Gain
(Kg) |
1.82
|
1.84
|
1.61
|
1.50
|
1.39
|
|
Eye
Muscle Area
(cm2) |
75.4
|
73.5
|
86.7
|
69.1
|
66.8
|
|
Rib
Fat
(mm) |
2.9
|
2.0
|
2.4
|
3.6
|
3.4
|
|
Rump
Fat
(mm) |
3.9
|
3.0
|
3.5
|
5.5
|
6.8
|
Thus, the 21 South Devon bulls' average feed intake was 5.9 kg for every 1 kg of live weight gain.