Breeding & Genetics

Boosting Genetics with Feed Efficiency and Methane Data

At the heart of any successful breeding program is data. With C-Lock’s SmartLine and GreenFeed technology, cattle and sheep producers now have powerful tools to improve genetics, reduce input costs, and align with growing demand for sustainable beef and lamb.

Identify the Most Efficient Sires

SmartLine products help producers and seedstock operations measure exactly how much each animal eats and how well they convert that feed into weight gain. This allows for accurate measurement of Residual Feed Intake (RFI)—a key indicator of feed efficiency.

Why this matters:

• More efficient animals eat less feed but gain the same or more.
  Less Feed + Equal or More Gain = Better Profits
• Selecting low-RFI sires means future generations can do more with less.
  Pass Feed Efficient Genetics onto Future Generations for Continued Returns
• Feed efficiency is moderately heritable, meaning you can make real genetic progress.
  Create a More Feed Efficient Herd to Maximize Future Returns

SmartFeed (Intake Monitoring) + SmartScale (Weight Monitoring) = Clear feed intake to weight gain data.

Build Better EPDs with Real Intake Data

Breed associations and genetic evaluation systems (like IGS) increasingly rely on real-world intake data from tools like SmartFeed. By contributing your data, you’re helping improve:

• Feed Efficiency EPDs
• Multi-trait selection indexes that include gain, carcass, and cost traits

SmartFeed provides standardized, high-resolution data that strengthens genomic evaluations and adds credibility to sire marketing. Your bulls aren’t just high performers—they’re backed by data.

Select for Sustainability: Less Methane per Pound of Gain

Feed-efficient animals not only eat less—they also emit less methane per pound of gain. SmartFeed paired with GreenFeed allows producers to:

• Track feed intake and methane emissions together
• Identify sires that produce less greenhouse gas without sacrificing performance

Studies show that low-RFI animals can produce 15–25% less methane, making them ideal for sustainability-focused programs and carbon market participation.

Make Your Program Stand Out

For seedstock producers:

• Sires with proven feed efficiency are more marketable
• Adds real-world value that commercial buyers are looking for

For commercial operations:

• Lower feed bills
• Improved gain and performance
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per pound of meat

Whether you’re selling bulls or improving your cow herd, SmartLine and GreenFeed help you move toward a more profitable and climate-smart future.

Smarter Data for Better Dairy Cows

Every bite of feed your cows eat affects your bottom line. With C-Lock’s SmartLine systems, dairy producers can now measure true feed efficiency—not just during peak production, but across an animal’s full lifetime.

What is RFI and Why Does It Matter?

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is a powerful way to identify cows that produce more milk with less feed. It tells you whether an animal eats more or less than expected based on her milk production, body size, and stage of lactation.

• Low RFI = More efficient. Cow eats less than expected for her output.
• High RFI = Less efficient. Cow eats more than expected.

SmartLine lets you track this data automatically—day after day—for every cow in your herd.

SmartFeed (Intake Monitoring) + Milk Production Stats = Clear feed intake to milk production conversion data.

Turn Daily Feed Intake into Lifetime Value

With SmartFeed and SmartScale, you can:

• Measure individual feed intake precisely—even in large herds.
• Match feed intake to milk yield, body weight, and days in milk.
• Compare cows not just during peak milk, but across full lactations.

This helps you:

• Reduce feed costs without compromising performance.
• Identify cows that stay efficient year after year.
• Select genetics for lifetime profitability, not just one lactation.

Better Data = Better Genetics

If you’re using genomic selection, C-Lock takes your program to the next level.

Why? Because good genomic predictions require real-world phenotypes—and feed intake is one of the hardest to get.

SmartLine solves that:

• Provides standardized feed intake data across your herd.
• Improves accuracy of RFI genomic predictions for young heifers.
• Speeds up genetic progress for feed efficiency.

In other words, you’re building a herd that’s not just high-producing—but efficient, profitable, and sustainable.

Efficiency, Profitability, and Sustainability—All in One

Feed is your biggest cost. Efficiency is your biggest opportunity.

C-Lock gives you the data to:

• Breed better cows
• Lower your inputs
• Cut your emissions per gallon of milk

Whether you’re focused on profitability, sustainability, or both—C-Lock helps you make every bite count.