Start Date
1-19-2017 10:15 AM
Description
It has been reported that 8 million beef cattle graze an estimated 35 million acres of endophyte-infected tall fescue in the United States with the majority of tall fescue being produced in the Midwest and southeastern regions of the United States. In the presence of the endophytic fungus, ergot alkaloids are present that when consumed by beef cattle results in decreased animal performance as measured in reduced weight gains, lower body condition scores, decreased conception rates, rough hair coats and the inability to regulate body temperatures. It has been estimated that this loss in animal performance accounts for a $600 million annual loss to beef producers. Recently, novel endophyte varieties of tall fescue have been identified that reportedly have the same agronomic advantages without causing the depression in animal performance exhibited by older varieties.
Research projects investigating methods to improve beef cattle performance and reduce the negative effects in animal production associated with grazing endophyte infected tall fescue have recently been conducted by the faculty and staff of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois in an effort to provide producers with research based recommendations for profitable beef production. This paper will serve as an overview of recent beef cattle research conducted at the University of Illinois’ Dixon Springs Agricultural Center addressing the performance of animals grazing tall fescue.
Included in
Research Update: Beef Cattle Management Considerations for Grazing Tall Fescue
It has been reported that 8 million beef cattle graze an estimated 35 million acres of endophyte-infected tall fescue in the United States with the majority of tall fescue being produced in the Midwest and southeastern regions of the United States. In the presence of the endophytic fungus, ergot alkaloids are present that when consumed by beef cattle results in decreased animal performance as measured in reduced weight gains, lower body condition scores, decreased conception rates, rough hair coats and the inability to regulate body temperatures. It has been estimated that this loss in animal performance accounts for a $600 million annual loss to beef producers. Recently, novel endophyte varieties of tall fescue have been identified that reportedly have the same agronomic advantages without causing the depression in animal performance exhibited by older varieties.
Research projects investigating methods to improve beef cattle performance and reduce the negative effects in animal production associated with grazing endophyte infected tall fescue have recently been conducted by the faculty and staff of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois in an effort to provide producers with research based recommendations for profitable beef production. This paper will serve as an overview of recent beef cattle research conducted at the University of Illinois’ Dixon Springs Agricultural Center addressing the performance of animals grazing tall fescue.