Effects of Grazing Novel Endophyte-infected Fescue Following Grazing Endophyte-infected Fescue on Steer Performance.
Important studies into Fescue toxicosis have revealed that pasture renovation could lead to reductions in cases.
30 April 2013
2 minute read
The paper, revealed in the Mid-West American Society of Animal Science Journal, looked into using endophyte infected fescue to limit toxicosis.
The objective of this study was to investigate the use of novel endophyte-infected fescue as a means to alleviate fescue toxicosis symptoms; exhibited as poor ADG, BCS, hair coat score (HCS; 1-5), and increased respiration rate.
Fall-born, Simmental x Angus crossbred steers (n = 36, average BW = 182.2 ± 28.2 kg) were stratified by BW and randomly allotted into 6 groups. Groups were randomly assigned 1 of 3 treatments; 1) endophyte-infected fescue (May 2–September 18, 2012, E+), 2) novel endophyte fescue (NE) (May 2–September 18, 2012, NE), and 3) E+ (May 2–July 10, 2012; period 1) followed by NE (July 11–September 18 2012; period 2; E+/NE).
Groups were grazed on 4.05 ha pastures that were subdivided into six 0.68 ha paddocks, and were rotated every 5 days. Put-and-take cattle were used to maintain similar forage availability.
Cattle grazed on NE following E+ experienced compensatory gain and had similar performance to those that grazed NE continuously. Partial pasture renovation with novel endophyte-infected fescue could be an effective strategy to mitigate the effects of fescue toxicosis.
Citation: M. R. Milnamow*, T. B. Wilson, D. B. Faulkner, F. A. Ireland, D. W. Shike, Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
To view the full American Society of Animal Science Midwestern Journal click here
April 2013
