Publication Date

1997

Description

The establishment, longevity, and utilization of mixed Acremonium coenophialum endophyte-infested (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures were evaluated in three beef production experiments. In Experiment-1, E-, 80% E+ , and a sward of alternate sets of four drill rows of E+ and E- were compared under put-and-take grazing. Stand density of E- was inadequate after 3 yr, but stands and animal performance of the other treatments were similar for 4 yr. Wide strips (6-7 m) of E- fescue were established (Experiment-2) subsequently with no-till methods in E+ fescue sods after destruction of the original vegetation on level soils, and have been maintained under two stocking densities of grazing. Experiment-2 treatments were repeated on steep, rocky and shallow soils (Experiment-3) at another location. The overall results are promising for improving productivity of E+ pastures on level or highly erodible land with minimal adverse environmental effects.

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Enviornmental Quality and Production Efficiency of Beef Cattle in Tall Fescue Pasture Systems

The establishment, longevity, and utilization of mixed Acremonium coenophialum endophyte-infested (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures were evaluated in three beef production experiments. In Experiment-1, E-, 80% E+ , and a sward of alternate sets of four drill rows of E+ and E- were compared under put-and-take grazing. Stand density of E- was inadequate after 3 yr, but stands and animal performance of the other treatments were similar for 4 yr. Wide strips (6-7 m) of E- fescue were established (Experiment-2) subsequently with no-till methods in E+ fescue sods after destruction of the original vegetation on level soils, and have been maintained under two stocking densities of grazing. Experiment-2 treatments were repeated on steep, rocky and shallow soils (Experiment-3) at another location. The overall results are promising for improving productivity of E+ pastures on level or highly erodible land with minimal adverse environmental effects.