Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
A fungal endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum, and alkaloids of tall fescue may prevent the realization of improved performance of animals consuming cultivars bred for superior forage quality. Beef and dairy cattle performance was studied using tall fescue cultivars varying in forage quality, in potential to produce alkaloids, and in levels of A. coenophialum infestaion. Comparative performance of growing beef and mid-lactation Holstein cattle was evaluated using forage from a seed lot of Kentucky 31 with ca. 75% endophyte infestation and from another seed lot without infestation and Kenhy and G 1-320 cultivars with improved forage quality and low levels of endophyte but varying in alkaloid production potential. Endophyte levels were the major factor affecting both beef and dairy cattle performance. Animals consuming infested Kentucky 31 had significantly lower dry matter intake, average daily gains, milk production, serum prolactin levels, and higher body temperatures than cattle consuming forage with low levels of endophyte. Cattle consuming Kenhy and Gl-320 had superior performance to those consuming Kentucky 31 without the endophyte, indicating that animals respond favorably to cultivars bred for improved forage quality after the endophyte and alkaloids were removed.
Citation
Buckner, R C.; Hemken, R W.; Boling, J A.; Burrus, P B. Jr; Bush, L P.; Jackson, J A. Jr; Siegel, M R.; and Lacefield, G D., "Cattle Performance on Tall Fescue Cultivars Varying in Forage Quality and Levels of Endophyte Infestation" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 27.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses10/27)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Cattle Performance on Tall Fescue Cultivars Varying in Forage Quality and Levels of Endophyte Infestation
Kyoto Japan
A fungal endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum, and alkaloids of tall fescue may prevent the realization of improved performance of animals consuming cultivars bred for superior forage quality. Beef and dairy cattle performance was studied using tall fescue cultivars varying in forage quality, in potential to produce alkaloids, and in levels of A. coenophialum infestaion. Comparative performance of growing beef and mid-lactation Holstein cattle was evaluated using forage from a seed lot of Kentucky 31 with ca. 75% endophyte infestation and from another seed lot without infestation and Kenhy and G 1-320 cultivars with improved forage quality and low levels of endophyte but varying in alkaloid production potential. Endophyte levels were the major factor affecting both beef and dairy cattle performance. Animals consuming infested Kentucky 31 had significantly lower dry matter intake, average daily gains, milk production, serum prolactin levels, and higher body temperatures than cattle consuming forage with low levels of endophyte. Cattle consuming Kenhy and Gl-320 had superior performance to those consuming Kentucky 31 without the endophyte, indicating that animals respond favorably to cultivars bred for improved forage quality after the endophyte and alkaloids were removed.
