Power of test considerations for beef cattle experiments: A review1,2

The use of power tests in the planning and design of beef cattle experiments provides critical information on sample sizes necessary to detect treat- ment differences at a predetermined significance (α) level. Retrospective power analysis provides additional information about previous experiments that may be helpful in designing subsequent investigations. How- ever, in retrospective power analyses, power is in- versely related to observed significance level. Benefits of prospective and retrospective power analyses in beef cattle experiments are similar to those for other species; however, because of differences in the methods and conditions involved, considerations for the use of power test procedures are specific for beef cattle research. Ret- rospective power analyses were conducted on 78 pub- lished experiments and on two unpublished experi- ments. Experiments were compiled into categories that represented group (or pen) feeding, individual feeding,