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Tall Fescue Most widely used forage grass in the U.S.
High yields and persistent. Endophytic fungus produces toxic alkaloids Fescue toxicosis Alkaloids aid drought tolerance and persistence Novel Endophyte TF gives persistence benefit w/o toxicosis problems.
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Cow-calf performance on toxic or novel endophyte (NE) tall fescue stands.†
Cow Performance Toxic NE Wt. at end of breeding, lbs. 1110 1236 Wt. at end of weaning, lbs. 1005 1122 BCS at end of breeding 5.4 5.7 Pregnancy Rate, % 44.7 85.1 Calf Performance Actual Weaning Wt., lbs. 461 529 Adj. (205 d) Weaning Wt., lbs. 436 504 ADG (birth to wean), lbs. 1.7 2.1 Replacement Heifers 459 498 Calving Rate, % 64.1 90.6 † Adapted from Univ. of Arkansas Exp. Stn. Reports by Coffey et al. (2007 and 2008).
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Effect of Tall Fescue, Endophyte, and White Clover on Stocker Production in the Spring
ADG Gain (lbs/hd/d) (lb/acre) E+ 1.10 126 NE 1.83 186 E+ & WC 1.60 150 NE & WC 2.61 252 This illustrates the earlier concept that rye + ryegrass gives more gains earlier and can provide cheaper over all gains. O = oats, R = rye, T = triticale, W = wheat and RG= Ryegrass Jesup Tall Fescue and Durana White Clover. 3-yr trial. Eatonton, GA. Hill, Andrae, and Bouton (unpublished data) Home
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Effect of Tall Fescue, Endophyte, and White Clover on Stocker Production in the Spring
ADG Gain (lbs/hd/d) (lb/acre) E+ 1.10 126 NE 1.83 186 E+ & WC 1.60 150 NE & WC 2.61 252 This illustrates the earlier concept that rye + ryegrass gives more gains earlier and can provide cheaper over all gains. O = oats, R = rye, T = triticale, W = wheat and RG= Ryegrass Jesup Tall Fescue and Durana White Clover. 3-yr trial. Eatonton, GA. Hill, Andrae, and Bouton (unpublished data)
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Cow-calf performance on toxic or novel endophyte (NE) tall fescue stands.†
Cow Performance Toxic NE Wt. at end of breeding, lbs. 1110 1236 Wt. at end of weaning, lbs. 1005 1122 BCS at end of breeding 5.4 5.7 Pregnancy Rate, % 44.7 85.1 Calf Performance Actual Weaning Wt., lbs. 461 529 Adj. (205 d) Weaning Wt., lbs. 436 504 ADG (birth to wean), lbs. 1.7 2.1 Replacement Heifers 459 498 Calving Rate, % 64.1 90.6 † Adapted from Univ. of Arkansas Exp. Stn. Reports by Coffey et al. (2007 and 2008).
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Effect of Warm Season Perennial Species and Variety on Gains in the Summer
State ADG Gain Stocking Rate Grazing Period (lbs/hd/d) (lb/acre) (hd/acre) (days) Pensacola (bahia) GA1 1 222 1.5 131 Coastal 1.1 331 2.5 TX2 279 3 92 GA3 641 168 Tifton 44 1.6 681 Tifton 78 GA4 1.4 704 3.2 169 Tifton 85 1032 4.4 1.7 465 This illustrates the earlier concept that rye + ryegrass gives more gains earlier and can provide cheaper over all gains. O = oats, R = rye, T = triticale, W = wheat and RG= Ryegrass
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Stocker Steer Performance on Alfalfa
Forage Allowance Stocking Density ADG Gain/acre Grazing Days Hd/ac lbs/hd/d lbs days High 1.05 2.08 264 128 Medium 1.50 1.66 295 183 Low 2.35 1.38 387 286 Bates et al., J. Prod. Ag. 9: (Avg. of 3 yrs: 1989, 90, 91.)
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Steer Performance when Rotationally Grazing Alfalfa or High-Tannin (HT) or Low-Tannin (LT) Sericea Lespedeza Legume Treatment Stocking Density ADG Gain/acre Final Wt. Hd/ac lbs/hd/d lbs Alfalfa 1.3 2.16 475 878 HT Sericea 1.39 248 785 LT Sericea 1.2 1.65 276 840 Schmidt et al., AL Ag. Exp. St. Circular 288 (Avg. of 3 yrs)
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The Effect of Rain on Tall Fescue Hay
No Rain Rain Damage Intake, % of b.w. 2.10 1.92 NDF, % 68.1 76.0 Digestibility, % 63.2 59.7 Turner et al., 2003
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Effect of Tall Fescue, Endophyte, and White Clover on Stocker Production in the Spring
ADG Gain (lbs/hd/d) (lb/acre) E+ 1.10 126 NE 1.83 186 E+ & WC 1.60 150 NE & WC 2.61 252 This illustrates the earlier concept that rye + ryegrass gives more gains earlier and can provide cheaper over all gains. O = oats, R = rye, T = triticale, W = wheat and RG= Ryegrass Jesup Tall Fescue and Durana White Clover. 3-yr trial. Eatonton, GA. Hill, Andrae, and Bouton (unpublished data)
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Cow-calf performance on toxic or novel endophyte (NE) tall fescue stands.†
Cow Performance Toxic NE Wt. at end of breeding, lbs. 1110 1236 Wt. at end of weaning, lbs. 1005 1122 BCS at end of breeding 5.4 5.7 Pregnancy Rate, % 44.7 85.1 Calf Performance Actual Weaning Wt., lbs. 461 529 Adj. (205 d) Weaning Wt., lbs. 436 504 ADG (birth to wean), lbs. 1.7 2.1 Replacement Heifers 459 498 Calving Rate, % 64.1 90.6 † Adapted from Univ. of Arkansas Exp. Stn. Reports by Coffey et al. (2007 and 2008).
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Weaning Weights of GA Calves
Values are averages of two years' data collected near Calhoun, GA. (Bouton et al., 2000, and Watson et al., 2001)
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Novel Endophyte vs Toxic Fescue Calf Weaning Weight
+ $82.50 per calf on average (11.1% more) Bouton, 2003 3 yrs, Calhoun GA Both different P<0.05 + 66 lb + 44 lb
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Novel Endophyte vs Toxic Fescue Reproductive Efficiency – Cow/Calf Enterprise
+ 40% + 27% Coffey et al., 2007, 2008 2 yrs, Arkansas Exp. Stations
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Novel Endophyte vs Toxic Fescue Stocker Cattle Weight Gains and Returns
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Effect of Seedhead Suppression on Tall Fescue Yield – May Harvest*
* Preliminary research with metsulfuron at a rate of 0.25 oz ai/acre.
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Tall Fescue Yields: Blairsville 2007-09
Planted October 25, Avg. of 3 yrs. No difference in stand density on Jan. 26, 2010.
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Tall Fescue Yields: Athens 2008-09
Planted Oct. 10, Avg. of 2 yrs.
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Tall Fescue Stands: Athens 2008-09
Planted Oct. 10, Difference in stand density on Dec. 14, 2009.
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Fescue Maturity- Digestibility
JUST MORE MANURE!!! Here’s a similar graph that shows what happens to the digestibility of that same tall fescue hay. Note that the bars represent total yield per acre and match the previous graph perfectly. If we harvest hay at late boot stage we get a little over 1.5 tons per acre of hay. The yellow part of the bar shows us that the animal is able to digest almost 1 ton per acre of that forage and utilize it for her energy requirements. The brown portion of the bar represents the undigested or “manure” portion of the hay produced (about 0.6 tons per acre). {Go through the rest of the bars and point out that even though YIELD increases that the amount of digested hay per acre does not- you are essentially baling up extra “manure” as the poorer quality hay has lower digestibility} It is interesting to point out that most of the hay baled in Georgia is at the hard seed stage (build last arrow) which is here on the graph… Majority of hay harvested at hard seed stage Only truly applicable with spring harvest
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Effect of Endophyte-Contaminated Fescue on Gestation Length in Gravid Mares
+ 27 days From: D.L. Cross and T. Gimenez “Fescue Toxicosis in Horses” (ppt online)
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Effect of Endophyte-Contaminated Fescue on Foals and Mares
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Jesup: MaxQ vs Jesup: Toxic Fescue Calf Weaning Weight
Bouton, 2003 3 yrs, Calhoun GA Both different P<0.05
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Weaning Weights of GA Calves
Values are averages of two years' data collected near Calhoun, GA. (Bouton et al., 2000, and Watson et al., 2001)
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High Quality Clover Greatly Improves “Transition” Gains
Pasture Treatment % Clover ADG, lbs/day E+ Tall Fescue w/ N 1 0.60 E+ w/ Regal 6 0.89 E+ w/ Durana 47 1.80 E- Tall Fescue w/ N 1.39 E- w/ Durana 40 2.47 Spring 2002 data 3rd grazing yr (March 28 - June 14) Bouton, 2003
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Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species
High Production Mod. Production Maint.
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Forage Systems with Lowest Cost
Pasture Cost Rank Forage System $/Ac $/lb 1 Tall fescue w/ladino 172.26 0.30 2 Orchardgrass w/ladino 172.08 3 Tall fescue w/BF trefoil 173.28 0.44 4 Bermudagrass w/h. vetch 230.75 0.47 5 Sericea lespedeza (cont.) 148.84 0.49 6 Sericea lespedeza (rotat.) 0.54 7 0.60 8 Rye & ryegrass 318.34 9 Bermudagrass (hybrid) w/rye 328.35 0.62 10 Rye, oats & crimson clover 352.78 0.65 This illustrates the earlier concept that rye + ryegrass gives more gains earlier and can provide cheaper over all gains. O = oats, R = rye, T = triticale, W = wheat and RG= Ryegrass Source: Ball and Prevatt (2009).
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Forage Systems with Highest Profitability
Rank Forage System 1 Tall fescue w/ladino 2 Orchardgrass w/ladino 3 Bermudagrass (Hybrid) lbs N 4 Rye, ryegrass & crimson clover 5 Bermudagrass w/vetch 6 Rye & ryegrass 7 EF Tall Fescue (≈ NE) 8 Bermudagrass w/rye 9 Bermudagrass (Hybrid) lbs N 10 Oats & crimson clover NE Tall fescue + w. clover NE Tall fescue This illustrates the earlier concept that rye + ryegrass gives more gains earlier and can provide cheaper over all gains. O = oats, R = rye, T = triticale, W = wheat and RG= Ryegrass Verify by using the costs per acre and estimates of gain per acre from Ball and Prevatt (2009) and market price for selling calves.
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NE Tall Fescue Novel Endophyte
Endophyte from different TF population UGA and AgResearch (NZ) researchers developed and tested Jesup MaxQ. NE TF gives persistence benefit w/o toxicosis problems.
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A Fescue Tale Fescue pastures soil tested, fertilized, and productive...so... Why don’t the cattle gain? Why are pregnancy rates so low? TOXIC TALL FESCUE!
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BEWARE OF ENDOPHYTE IN TALL FESCUE!!!
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Endophytes found which do not produce toxins (MaxQ).
BEWARE OF ENDOPHYTE IN TALL FESCUE!!! Solutions? Endophytes found which do not produce toxins (MaxQ). New clover varieties which persist in tall fescue pastures (dilute toxin).
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“Safe” Tall Fescue Marketed as an alternative to MaxQ
Has performed well in other, more northern locations. Has performed poorly in UGA yield trial Lowest stand rating after 2 years. Has not been evaluated under grazing in GA.
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Suiter Farm, Menifee Co. KY
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NE Tall Fescue Novel Endophyte
Endophyte from different TF population UGA and AgResearch (NZ) researchers developed and tested Jesup MaxQ. NE TF gives persistence benefit w/o toxicosis problems.
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“HOT” Fescue Management
Manage Grazing to Manage Fescue Close grazing (no lower than 3”) during cool season Control seedhead emergence Heavy grazing for short periods Clipping Endophyte is most prevalent in the seed heads of mature material Defer grazing by certain livestock Avoid grazing during the hot summer months
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“HOT” Fescue Management
Part of ^ Dilution is the Solution Plant legumes or complimentary grasses “Dilutes” consumption of hot fescue, legumes add Nitrogen to the soil White Clover and Red Clover most common interplanted legumes Supplement livestock diet with non-infected hay
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“HOT” Fescue Management
Removal Removing tall fescue can be a difficult task Recommended Removal steps Do not let existing fescue go to seedhead Mow-Spray-Spray
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“HOT” Fescue Management
Manage Grazing to Manage Fescue Close grazing (no lower than 3”) during cool season Control seedhead emergence Heavy grazing for short periods Clipping Endophyte is most prevalent in the seed heads of mature material Defer grazing by certain livestock Avoid grazing during the hot summer months
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“Hot” Fescue Attributes of the Neotyphodium Endophyte
Production of Ergot Alkaloids Linked to Fescue Toxicosis Reproduction Temperature Rough Hair Coat Intake
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Replacing Tall Fescue Alternative E+ tall fescue renovation strategy: “Mow-Spray-Spray” (M-S-S) March April-May June-July 6-8 wks before planting 7 d before planting Sept/Oct
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Replacing Tall Fescue March April June-Sept Sept/Oct
One E+ tall fescue renovation strategy: “Spray-Smother-Spray” (S-S-S) March April June-Sept Sept/Oct
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Fescue Belt > 40 million acres of tall fescue in the United States
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Endophyte Free = Poor Persistence
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Mare Mgmt. BMPs Remove from TF pasture or hay days before anticipated foaling Alkaloid toxins are very stable Very low levels of fescue (%?, Probably less than 20%) can cause severe problems Keep accurate records of breeding and anticipated foaling dates
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Effect of spray methodology on stand of MaxQ
S-S-S Control Effect of spray methodology on stand of MaxQ
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Replacing Tall Fescue March April-May June-July 6-8 wks before
Alternative E+ tall fescue renovation strategy: “Mow-Spray-Spray” (M-S-S) March April-May June-July 6-8 wks before planting 7 d before planting Sept/Oct
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Effect of spray methodology on stand of MaxQ
6 week 4 week 2 week Effect of spray methodology on stand of MaxQ Toxic E+ < 2.5%
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Perennial Cool Season Grass Variety Trial
Species Variety 3-yr Average Yields Stand Density Tall Fescue (lbs DM/acre) (% basal cover) Kentucky 31 EI 7610 cde 95.0 a Texoma MaxQ II 8206 ab 91.3 ab Jesup MaxQ 7775 bcd 90.0 abc Cowgirl 7109 ef 57.5 g BarOptima 6589 f 1.9 h Jesup EF 7338 de 0.6 h Drover 7784 bcd 0.0 h Bronson 7297 de (Experimental Lines) GA 7 542 8095 abc 88.1 abc GA 8570 a 85.0 abcd AGR FA 152 7956 bc 83.8 abcd GA 8123 abc 81.9 bcd AGR FA 150 7141 ef 79.9 cde GA 8032 abc 75.6 def GT 159 7672 bcde 70.0 ef AGR FA 156 65.6 fg FA 2866 7290 de 4.4 h BAR MT 9301 6697 f Orchardgrass Benchmark Plus 5962 1.9 Barlemas 5958 0.6 IADG 101 6206 Forage yields represent the average of the 2008, 2009, and 2010 growing seasons. Stand density measurements made on (Jan. 21, 2011).
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