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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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Supplements for Cattle Grazing Endophyte-Infected Fescue
John B. HallExtension 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
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
RESTRICTIONBAND
CRACKINGDRY GANGRENESLOUGH
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
TASCO
• A seaweed meal made by Arcadian Agritech, Inc., NS
• They have no idea what it does• Can be delivered in a mineral mix
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??
TASCO Effects on pregnancy rate
0102030405060708090
100
% prgnant
1st cycle overall
TascoControl
• No impact on– BCS– Hair score– Pregnancy rate
• Still analyzing– Body temp at AI– Prolactin levels– Calf WW
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
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??
Effects on Cow-Calf Pairs - KY
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
2.2
AGD, lb
Supplement
FEB-200ControlCorn
Effects on Cow-Calf Pairs - OH
050
100150200250300350400450
WW, lb
Supplement
FEB-200Control
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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