The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in
animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important
candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant
traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the
identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their
haplotypes, across the bovine genome in genes encoding polypeptides
associated with feed efficiency, and their associations with residual
feed intake in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods
and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data,
haplotype data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of
animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and
management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat
quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety
information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.