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Supplements for Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Fescue

Supplements for Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Fescue. John B. Hall Extension Beef Specialist Virginia Tech. Impacts of “dirty” fescue on cattle. Over $600 million lost annually to fescue related production problems Physical effects Decreased growth Impaired reproduction.

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Supplements for Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Fescue

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  1. Supplements for Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Fescue John B. Hall Extension Beef Specialist Virginia Tech

  2. Impacts of “dirty” fescue on cattle • Over $600 million lost annually to fescue related production problems • Physical effects • Decreased growth • Impaired reproduction

  3. Toxins in fescue • Primarily ergopeptides • Found in highest concentrations in seedhead and stem • Act as hormone like substances in the body • Effect hormone secretion from the brain • Direct effects on tissues

  4. RESTRICTION BAND

  5. CRACKING DRY GANGRENE SLOUGH

  6. Strategies to Overcome Effects of E+ Fescue • Incorporate legumes or switch forages • Select against sensitive cattle • Change calving season • Supplementary feed • energy • by-pass protein • TASCO • FEB-200

  7. TASCO • A seaweed meal made by Arcadian Agritech, Inc., NS • They have no idea what it does • Can be delivered in a mineral mix

  8. General observations on TASCO • Improved immune function in stressed cattle and lambs • Slight decreases in body temperature • Increased gains?? • Many studies of no effect • Mineral intake increases (2x) • Cost??

  9. TASCO Effects on pregnancy rate • No impact on • BCS • Hair score • Pregnancy rate • Still analyzing • Body temp at AI • Prolactin levels • Calf WW

  10. FEB-200 • A yeast product made by Alltech, Inc., KY • Modified glucomannan • Absorbs or detoxifies toxins produced by endophyte • Can be delivered in a mineral mix

  11. General observations on FEB-200 • Increased dry matter intake • Slight decreases in body temperature • Increased gains • Improved BCS • Increased milk production • Mineral intake increases (2x) • Cost??

  12. Effects on Cow-Calf Pairs - KY

  13. Effects on Cow-Calf Pairs - OH

  14. How to prevent the Milk Crisis For 45 to 60 days before calving to 20 to 30 days after calving • Substitute 50% or more of the fescue with other feeds • corn gluten • litter/corn mixes • Consider special non-fescue pasture • Cull cows that have no-milk

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