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Fescue
continues to be a predominate pasture grass in Alabama. Fescue is easily
established, persistent; tolerant of poor soil conditions, drought
resistant, and its productivity under a wide range of temperatures allows
cattle producers to provide abundant amounts of forage almost year-round.
There are,
however, drawbacks when utilizing fescue grazing and hay. One is forage
quality. While fescue will out produce other grasses, it will not provide
the overall nutrient quality that other grasses will provide.
The real
drawback to fescue is toxicity. Often referred to as "summer
slump," fescue toxicity is one of the most frustrating aspects of
beef production. The primary cause of the toxicity is a fungus (Neotyphodium
coenophialum) that is the same as the fungus that causes ergot in
cereal grains. In cattle, death loss is rare, but there are physiological
problems that typically translate into impaired performance.
Animals
grazing endophyte-infected grass usually show a combination of the
following signs: reduced weight gains, reduced feed intake, intolerance to
high temperatures, more time spent in the shade or in the water, rough
hair coats, elevated body temperatures, faster respiration rates, reduced
reproductive performance and hormonal imbalances. During winter months
restricted blood flow to extremities, causing gangrene to occur in the
foot, ears, and/or tail switch is often referred to as fescue foot. The
primary cause of these symptoms is constricting blood vessels preventing
cattle from properly regulating temperature and hormonal centers in the
brain.
The
endophyte is totally contained in the plant, and can be transmitted only
through the seed. The endophytic fungus over winters within the plant, and
fungus growth occurs in the spring as tiller growth resumes on the plant.
Since the primary means of transmission is the seed source itself, this
explains why a large percentage of fescue pastures are infected.
Research
conducted at Kentucky, Georgia and Auburn proves that grazing poorly
managed, high endophyte fescue will adversely affect overall performance
of cattle. Research has proven that cattle consuming infected fescue will
have lower average daily gains, and higher body temperatures. Research in
feedlots also implies that calves coming into the yard off of fescue based
forages will eat less, gain less, and have more sickness throughout the
feeding program. The same type results were also proven in studies
utilizing fescue hay cut after seed heads were present.
While
fescue toxicity has been a real concern, new products along with other
management practices have been implemented over the past several years to
help reduce the problems from grazing fescue. While early improved
varieties lacked insect resistance and disease resistance along with stand
persistency, new varieties are being introduced that are showing much more
favorable results. Just remember that when an infected crop is to be
replaced, it must be destroyed by tillage and/or herbicides.
Another
area that is gaining more attention is in nutritional management. Several
products are now available to help reduce the overall problems associated
with infected fescue. Research has again proven that cattle consuming high
levels of the trace minerals zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt provided
in a form that is easily absorbed show significant performance improvement
over cattle consuming lower levels of these minerals. Certain products
that have the ability to bind to the toxin also show great potential in
reducing the amount of toxin entering the blood stream. Incorporation of
products that support proper rumen function, improved fiber digestion, and
nutrient utilization, will also help overall performance of the cow even
when she is stressed.
A final
area in nutritional management that will show favorable results is the
incorporation of antioxidants such as selenium and vitamin E into the diet
of cattle. While this will not totally end problems with fescue toxicity,
it will greatly reduce problems associated with fescue grazing.
Your local
cooperative has several products available to improve the nutritional
program of your cattle. Your store will carry a variety of Sweetlix
Minerals that contain elevated trace minerals as well as chelated minerals
that can be provided to your cattle on a daily basis. Crystalyx is also
available through your local store and they also carry a line of products
that will provide a complete trace mineral program as well as products
that will increase fiber digestion. Sweetlix Minerals and Crystalyx
Supplement Tubs will also provide needed antioxidants as you manage your
fescue grazing.
In
conclusion, fescue has many favorable characteristics that make it
excellent forage. A pasture and a nutritional management plan should be
implemented to help curb the effects of feeding infected fescue. Your
local cooperative store has the products and knowledge to assist you in
implementing such a plan. I can also be reached at jimmyh@alafarm.com
and I will also be happy to assist you in any way to implement such a
management plan.
Jimmy
Hughes is AFC’s animal nutritionist.
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