Associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotype with feed intake and feed efficiency in beef cattle

An interactive computer-assisted method for tracking the rearing of livestock bovines comprising, using a computer system comprising a programmed computer comprising a processor, a data storage system, an input device, an output device, and an interactive device, the steps of:

• (a) inputting into the programmed computer through the input device data comprising a breeding history of a bovine or herd of bovines and a genotype of a bovine;
• correlating a physical characteristic predicted by the genotype using the processor and the data storage system, (b) inputting into the programmed computer through the input device data comprising a veterinary history of a bovine or herd of bovines, (c) correlating the veterinary data with the breeding history of the bovine or herd of bovines using the processor and the data storage system, and (d) outputting to the output device the breeding history, the veterinary history of the bovine or herd of bovines and the physical characteristic correlated to the genotype for a bovine or population of bovines,
• wherein the physical characteristic is desirable marbling, subcutaneous fat depth, or a combination thereof, as compared to the general population of bovines, and the genotype is a single nucleotide polymorphism in a RFI gene.