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