Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS submitted to NRP
BEEF CATTLE NUTRITION AND MANAGEMENT IN ARKANSAS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0176488
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2003
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2008
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
(N/A)
FAYETTEVILLE,AR 72703
Performing Department
ANIMAL SCIENCES
Non Technical Summary
Infected fescue is grown in areas where non-infected forages are less persistent; grazing these infected pastures poses numerous problems to animal growth and overall health. We propose to develop various forage and grazing programs which will reduce the impact of tall fescue toxicosis, sustain the less persistent forages, and enhance the long-term well being of cows and calves.
Animal Health Component
90%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
90%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3023310101050%
3143310115050%
Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals; 314 - Toxic Chemicals, Poisonous Plants, Naturally Occurring Toxins, and Other Hazards Affecting Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3310 - Beef cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1150 - Toxicology;
Goals / Objectives
1)To develop and evaluate forage and(or) management options to reduce the negative impacts in cattle resulting from grazing tall fescue infested with the endophytic fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum. 2)To develop forage and(or) cattle management programs to evaluate, improve utilization of, and optimize production from forages scarcely used in Arkansas presently, but that appear to have potential uses in grazing programs. 3)To evaluate the implications of various forage management and weaning stress programs on post-weaning production, health, and profitability of cattle operations in Arkansas.
Project Methods
Grazing experiments with cow-calf pairs will be conducted to assess combinations of varying forage consumption, forage management programs, and weaning practices. Digestion studies both on pasture and in metabolism facilities will be conducted.

Progress 10/01/03 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Summaries of results from this project were presented at station field days, extension county agent in-service training sessions, and regional or national professional meetings. Reports from this project were published in scientific abstracts and in the Arkansas Animal Science Department Report which is available on line at http://arkansasagnews.uark.edu/563.pdf. PARTICIPANTS: Information from this project was presented by myself and personnel from Arkansas Cooperative Extension to agricultural county extension agents during an in-service training session. Information was also presented at regional project meetings to inform others in the southeastern US about how these management practices will impact cattle in their states as well. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this information is producers and educators in the southeastern US. Outreach efforts are reported above. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
A common crabgrass field (Digitaria ciliaris [Retz.] Koel.) was divided into 12 plots and used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement to determine the impact of a lactic acid-lactobacillus hay preservative and moisture concentration at baling on post-storage forage quality and ruminal digestibility by cattle. Half of the plots were treated with 81 mL/tonne DM of a solution containing 11% lactic acid and non-viable lactobacillus acidophilus at the time of mowing (LAL) and half were not treated (U). Within LAL and U plots, half were baled at 18% (M18) and half at 28% moisture (M28). In situ ruminal degradation kinetics were determined using 6 ruminally-cannulated heifers. The water-soluble fraction was greater (P < 0.05) from M28-LAL and M18-U vs. M28-U, and effective degradability was greater (P < 0.05) from M28-LAL than the other treatment combinations. The slowly degraded fraction was greater (P < 0.05) for M28 vs. M18. Replacing toxic Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue (E+) with non-toxic endophyte-infected fescue (NE+) improved cow performance, but acceptance of NE+ by producers has been slow. Our objective was to graze E+ or NE+ at different percentages of the total pasture area to determine the extent limited access to NE+ will affect selected biological indicators of spring (S) and fall-calving (F) cows. Crossbred cows (n=178) were allocated randomly by weight and age within calving season to 1 of 14 groups representing 5 treatments: 1) F on 100% E+ (F100); 2) S on 100% E+ (S100); 3) F on 75% E+ and 25% NE+ (F75); 4) S on 75% E+ and 25% NE+ (S75); and 5) S on 100% NE+. In cows, serum copper concentrations at breeding and serum prolactin concentrations at the beginning and end of breeding were greater (P<0.05) for S vs. F, and both S and F cows allowed access to NE+ for 28 days prior to breeding had increased (P<0.05) serum prolactin concentrations at breeding. Serum iron, copper, and zinc concentrations at the end of breeding and iron, copper, and zinc change during the 60-d breeding season were greater (P<0.05) from F vs. S. In calves, concentrations of serum zinc, neutrophils, and red blood cells, and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios at weaning were greater (P<0.05) from F vs. S, but concentrations of serum iron and copper and platelets at weaning were greater (P<0.05) from S vs. F. Calves allowed access to NE+ for 28 days prior to weaning had greater (P<0.05) concentrations of serum iron at weaning. Impacts: Crabgrass forage is much harder to dry and achieve an acceptable moisture concentration than other forages such as bermudagrass. Use of a lactic acid-lactobacillus hay preservative may allow hay producers to bale crabgrass at a higher moisture concentration without affecting ruminal digestibility negatively. Allowing cows grazing toxic fescue access to non-toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue for 28 days prior to breeding or weaning can have significant positive impacts on certain biological indicators of stress and immune function, but those same measurements may not be good indicators of cattle performance for cows with different calving seasons.

Publications

  • Gunsaulis, J. L., Coblentz, W. K., Ogden, R. K., Bacon, R. K., Coffey, K. P., Hubbell, D. S., III, Skinner, J. V., Jr., Akins, M. S., Caldwell, J. D., Lusby, K. S., and Gunter, S. A. 2008. Fall growth potential of cereal grain forages in northern Arkansas. Agron. J. 100:1112-1123).
  • Bailey, C. R., Looper, M. L., Coffey, K. P., and Rosenkrans, C. F., Jr. 2008. Evaluation of endophyte-infected and novel endophyte-infected tall fescue on growth and grazing behavior of beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 3):14
  • Bailey, C.R., Looper, M.L., Coffey, K.P., and Rosenkrans, C.F., Jr. 2008. Evaluation of toxic and non-toxic novel endophyte-infected tall fescue on growth rate and grazing behavior of beef heifers. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 563: 33-34.
  • Caldwell, J., Coffey, K., Jennings, J., Hubbell, D., III, Hess, T., Kreider, D., Looper, M., Popp, M., Savin, M., Philip, D., and Rosenkrans, C.F., Jr. 2008. Performance by spring- and fall-calving cows grazing with full access, limited access, or no access to endophtye-infected fescue. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 563: 25-27.
  • Hardin, L.A., Coffey, K.P., Killion, A.E., Caldwell, J.D., Philipp, D., Coblentz, W. 2008. Effect of a lactic acid-lactobacillus preservative and moisture concentration at baling on intake and digestibility of crabgrass hay by lambs and in-situ digestibility by heifers. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 563:43-45.
  • Killion, A.E., Philipp, D., Coffey, K.P., Hardin, L.A., and Caldwell, J.D. 2008. Effects of a lactic acid/lactobacillus product and bale moisture on the voluntary intake and digestibility of bermudagrass hay by lambs and on in situ digestibility by cannulated heifers. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 563:40-42.


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
Summaries of results from this project were presented at station field days, extension county agent in-service training sessions, and regional or national professional meetings. Reports from this project were published in scientific abstracts and in the Arkansas Animal Science Department Report which is available on line at http://arkansasagnews.uark.edu/553.pdf.

Impacts
Weaning fall-born calves grazing toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) earlier in the spring should reduce their exposure to E+ toxins, resulting in improved long-term animal performance, but a previous study did not support this hypothesis. Gelbvieh x Angus steer calves (n=118) were used in a 3-yr study to determine the optimal time to wean fall-born calves grazing E+. Cow-calf pairs were allocated immediately prior to the onset of calving to one of four weaning dates: 1) March 16 (177 d of age; MarW), 2) April 13 (204 d of age; AprW), 3) May 11 (236 d of age; MayW), and 4) June 8 (264 d of age; JuneW). The MarW and AprW calves were moved to wheat pasture whereas MayW and JuneW where moved to bermudagrass following a 14-d fence-line weaning program. Steer BW increased (P<0.01) linearly at weaning and tended to increase (P=0.06) linearly at the time they were shipped to a feedlot. Steer BW at the end of the feedlot period and feedlot ADG did not differ (P>0.19), but hot carcass weight tended to increase (P=0.10) linearly across treatments. Other carcass measurements did not differ (P>0.08) across treatments. A common crabgrass field (Digitaria ciliaris [Retz.] Koel.) was divided into 12 plots and used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement to determine the impact of a lactic acid-lactobacillus hay preservative and moisture concentration at baling on post-storage forage quality, and intake and digestibility by lambs. Half of the plots were treated with 81 mL/tonne DM of a solution containing 11% lactic acid and non-viable lactobacillus acidophilus at the time of mowing (T) and half were not treated (U). Within T and U plots, half were baled at 18% (M18) and half at 28% moisture (M28). Wether lambs (n=16) were allocated randomly to 1 of the 4 treatment combinations and offered chopped hay ad libitum. Total feces were collected for 5 d after a 10-d adaptation. Maximum bale temperature, NDIN and lignin were greater (P<0.05) and IVDMD was lower (P<0.05) from M28 vs. M18. In vivo DMD was greater (P<0.01) from M28 vs. M18 and from T vs. U. Digestible DM intake was greater (P<0.05) from T vs. U. Impacts: Producers raising fall-born steer calves on E+ pastures could increase calf weight and return by delaying weaning until the calves are 8 to 9 mo. of age. Such practices do not appear to negatively affect long-term calf performance and therefore should not impact the price per pound paid for these calves. Treating crabgrass with a lactic acid-lactobacillus product prior to baling may not affect forage quality, but may improve DM digestion and digestible DM intake by lambs. Baling moist crabgrass hay may have negative impacts on some measures of forage quality but may increase DM digestion by lambs. By improving forage digestibility, ruminant animals should be able to get more energy from the forage and reduce the amount of supplemental concentrate needed to meet their energy requirements.

Publications

  • Hampy, K. R., et al. 2007. Glycerol as a Supplemental Energy Source for Meat Goats. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):635.
  • Coffey, K. P., et al. 2007. Cow and calf performance while grazing tall fescue pastures with either the wild-type toxic endophyte or a non-toxic novel endophyte. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:67-69.
  • Hampy, K. R., et al. 2007. Glycerol as a supplemental energy source for meat goats. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:63-64.
  • Hampy, K. R., et al. 2007. In vitro DM digestibility of crabgrass, bermudagrass, and wheat forages supplemented with four levels of glycerol. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:65-66.
  • Popp, M. P., et al. 2007. An empirical analysis of weaning and pasture rotation frequency with implications for retained ownership. Agron. J. 99:747-754.
  • Caldwell, J. D., et al. 2007. Growth performance by fall calving cows grazing stockpiled tall fescue pastures with different proportions stockpiled until late fall. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 2):134.
  • Coffey, K. P., et al. 2007. Performance by spring calving cows grazing tall fescue pastures with either wild type toxic endophyte or a non toxic novel endophyte. J. Anim. Sci. 85(Suppl. 2):133.


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Cows grazing tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] infected with its wild-type fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum; E+) generally display suboptimal performance. Recently, a non-toxic endophyte-tall fescue association was developed at the Univ. of Arkansas (HM4) by incorporating a non-toxic endophyte strain into a tall fescue variety to reduce tall fescue toxicosis but maintain the positive benefits the endophyte imparts to the plant. Our objectives were to compare performance by cows grazing E+ tall fescue with that by cows grazing HM4. Spring-calving Gelbvieh x Angus crossbred cows (n=156; 492 kg initial BW) began grazing pastures of E+ or HM4 on October 15, 2004 and November 30, 2005. Cows were removed from HM4 in the summer of 2005 because of low forage availability from extremely dry summer conditions, but were not removed in 2006. Cow BW and pregnancy rate were greater (P<0.05), and hair scores were lower (P<0.05) at weaning from HM4 than E+. Calf birth date and birth weight were not different (P>0.48) between forages, but actual and adjusted weaning weight, and calf gain from birth to weaning were greater (P<0.05) from HM4 than E+ (240, 229, and 193 kg respectively from HM4 vs. 209, 199, and 169 kg respectively from E+). Therefore, replacing toxic tall fescue pastures with non-toxic, novel endophyte-infected tall fescue may improve calf growth and cow reproductive performance. Tall fescue is often stockpiled to reduce winter feed costs for cattle, but the optimal proportion of the total grazed pasture area to stockpile for fall-calving cows is not known. Over two consecutive years, Gelbvieh x Angus fall-calving cows (n=158; 599 kg initial wt.) grazed tall fescue pastures with either no area stockpiled (S0), or 33 (S33), or 50% of the total area stockpiled (S50). Cows assigned to S0 were rotated using a 6-cell rotation with 5 to 6-d grazing intervals. Starting in mid-August, cows assigned to S33 and S50 were rotated through only 33 or 50% of the pasture area until September 10, then were rotated through the remaining pasture area to allow the early-grazed area to stockpile until mid-November. Stockpiled areas were strip-grazed beginning at the start of the breeding season in mid-November. Forage samples and measurements were gathered from both the early-grazed (S33 and S50) and stockpiled areas (SP33 and SP50) of S33 and S50. Average available forage across the study was lower (P < 0.01) from the mean of S33 and SP33 than from the mean of S50 and SP50 and from the grazed areas compared with the stockpiled areas. Total hay offered tended (P=0.07) to be greater for S0 than S33 and S50. Forage concentrations of CP, in-vitro digestible DM, and ergot alkaloids did not differ (P>0.15) among treatments. Cow weights, body condition scores, calving interval, and calving rate did not differ (P>0.25) across treatments. Calf weights were greater (P<0.05) at the end of the breeding season for S33 than S50. Therefore, 33% of tall fescue pasture area can be stockpiled to help meet the nutritional needs of fall-calving cows and reduce supplementation costs through the winter.

Impacts
Tall fescue infected with the wild-type endophyte costs US cattlemen millions annually in lost gains and reduced reproductive rates. The tall fescue - non-toxic novel endophyte association HM4 provides cattle producers a forage option that should improve both calf gains and cow reproductive rates. However, longevity and production of HM4 should be investigated more thoroughly. In our previous studies, fall-calving cows grazing toxic fescue had greater than 93% calving rates, but winter feed costs are usually higher on fall-calving cows. Stockpiling fescue to reduce dependence on hay has been used successfully in spring-calving cows but not evaluated in fall-calving cows. Stockpiling approximately one third of the total acreage appears to be a viable management option to reduce winter feed costs for fall-calving cows without negatively impacting cow or calf performance.

Publications

  • Coblentz, W. K., et al. 2006. Using orchardgrass and endophyte-free fescue versus endophyte-infected fescue overseeded on bermudagrass for cow herds: four-year summary of cow-calf performance. Crop Sci. 46:1929-1938.
  • Scarbrough, D. A., et al. 2006. Effects of forage management on the nutritive value of stockpiled bermudagrass. Agron. J. 98:1280-1289.
  • Caldwell, J. D., et al. 2006. Growth performance by fall-calving cow-calf pairs grazing tall fescue pastures with different proportions stockpiled until late fall. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 545:140-142.
  • Coblentz, W. K., et al. 2006. Using orchardgrass and endophyte-free fescue versus endophyte-infected fescue overseeded on bermudagrass for cow herds: four-year summary of forage characteristics. Crop Sci. 46:1919-1928.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Gelbvieh x Angus crossbred cows (n = 52; 464 kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and age and allocated randomly to one of four 10-ha pastures of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) containing either the wild-type toxic endophyte (E+; Neotyphodium coenophialum) or a non-toxic novel endophyte (HM4; 2 replicates each). Cows began grazing the experimental pastures October 15, approximately 2 wk following weaning of their calves and were confirmed pregnant via rectal palpation prior to allocation. Hay was harvested from approximately one third of each pasture for subsequent feeding. Extremely dry summer conditions forced feeding of the winter hay supply during the summer. Once the hay from a particular pasture was depleted, those cows were moved to a bermudagrass pasture and fed bermudagrass hay. Pastures with HM4 were removed before those with E+. Cows on HM4 were offered 820 kg more hay (P = 0.20) than those on E+ pastures. Cow weight and BCS changes during the year were not different (P > 0.59) between HM4 and E+, but a greater percentage (P < 0.01) of cows grazing HM4 were pregnant at the time of weaning. Calf birth date and birth weight were not different (P > 0.27) among forages, but actual and adjusted weaning weight and calf gain from birth to weaning were greater (P < 0.06) from HM4 compared with E+ (210, 199, and 173 kg respectively from HM4 vs. 192, 179, and 156 kg respectively from E+). Stockpiling tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a viable but highly variable management practice used to reduce cattle winter feed costs. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of stockpiling different proportions of total fescue acreage on growth performance of fall-calving cows. Gelbvieh x Angus pregnant crossbred cows (n = 78 each year; 594 kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and age in mid-August and allocated randomly to one of eight 10-ha pastures of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) containing the wild-type toxic endophyte (E+; Neotyphodium coenophialum). All pastures were subdivided into six 1.7-ha paddocks. Pastures were assigned to treatments consisting of: 1) no stockpiled area (S0); 2) 33% of area stockpiled (S33); or (3) 50% of area stockpiled (S50). Cows assigned to S0 were rotated through all six experimental paddocks for 5-6 d, followed by 25 to 30-d rest. Those assigned to S33 and S50 pastures were rotated through two or three paddocks, respectively until September 10. At that time, the S33 and S50 treatments were grazed rotationally on only the four or three remaining paddocks, respectively, to allow two (S33) or three (S50) of the early grazed pastures to stockpile until late November. Grazing of stockpiled cells was initiated in late November corresponding to the beginning of the breeding season. Cow weight loss from mid-August (precalving) to early January (end of breeding season) was greater (P = 0.06) for the S50 than either S0 or S33, but cow BCS or BCS change did not differ (P > 0.16) among stockpiling proportions. Calf BW in late November tended (P = 0.10) to be greater from S33 compared with S50.

Impacts
Tall fescue infected with the wild-type endophyte costs US cattlemen millions annually in lost gains and reduced reproductive rates. The tall fescue non-toxic novel endophyte association HM4 provides cattle producers an option that should improve both calf gains and reproductive rates. However, longevity and production of HM4 should be investigated more thoroughly. In our previous studies, fall-calving cows grazing toxic fescue had greater than 93% calving rates, but winter feed costs are usually higher on fall-calving cows. Stockpiling fescue to reduce dependence on hay has been used successfully in spring-calving cows but not evaluated in fall-calving cows. Stockpiling half of the available acreage appears to impact cow and calf body weight change negatively during critical periods of the winter and therefore does not appear to be a viable option for cattle producer compared with stockpiling no acreage or up to only one third of the total acreage.

Publications

  • Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Scarbrough, D. A., Humphry, J. B., McGinley, B. C., Turner, J. E., Smith, T., Hubbell, III, D., Johnson, Z. B., Hellwig, D. H., Popp, M. P., and Rosenkrans, Jr., C. F. 2005. Impact of rotation frequency and weaning date on forage availability and nutrient composition, species composition, and growth performance by cows and calves grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures overseeded with crabgrass, and legumes. J. Anim. Sci. 83:2684-2695.
  • Ogden, R. K., Coblentz, W. K., Coffey, K. P., Turner, J. E., Scarbrough, D. A., Jennings, J. A., and Richardson, M. D. 2005. Ruminal In situ disappearance kinetics of dry matter and fiber in growing steers for common crabgrass forages sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. 83:1143-1152.
  • Caldwell, J. D., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Ogden, R. K., Jennings, J. A., Smith, T. F., and Hubbell, III, D. S. 2005. Growth performance by fall-calving cows grazing tall fescue pastures with different proportions stockpiled until late fall. Proc. Am. For. Grassl. Council. June 11-15, 2005. Bloomington, IL.
  • Coffey, K. and Coblentz, W. 2005. Understanding and managing transportation shrink in cattle. Auburn Univ. Triennial Stocker Cattle Conference. August 26, 2005. Auburn, AL.
  • Montgomery, T. G., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Whitworth, W., and Francis, P. B. 2005. Growth-performance of heifers grazing wheat and ryegrass sod-seeded into bermudagrass pastures with different tillage intensities on different seeding dates. Proc. Am. For. Grassl. Council. June 11-15, 2005. Bloomington, IL.
  • Caldwell, J. D., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Ogden, R. K., Jennings, J. A., Smith, T. F., and Hubbell, III, D. S. 2005. Growth Performance by Fall-Calving Cows Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures with Different Proportions Stockpiled Until Late Fall. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:102-104.
  • Gunsaulis, J. L., Coblentz, W. K., Ogden, R. K., Bacon, R. K., Coffey, K. P., Hubbell, III, D. S., Skinner, Jr., J. V., Cox, R. W., and Lusby, K. S. 2005. Fall-Growth Potential of Cereal-Grain Forages. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:83-87.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/30/04

Outputs
Gelbvieh x Angus crossbred heifers (n = 120; 250 kg initial BW) were stratified by weight and allocated randomly to one of eight 2-ha pastures of common bermudagrass overseeded with wheat and ryegrass for a 3-yr study beginning in December 2001 to compare the effect of seeding dates and tillage intensities on heifer growth performance. Half of the pastures were seeded during the first week of September (EARLY) and half were seeded in mid-October (LATE). Within each seeding date, half of the pastures were disked once (1x) and half were disked twice (2x) before seeding. Grazing began Dec. 20, 2001 on each pasture for year 1, Nov. 20, 2002 on EARLY pastures and Dec. 5, 2002 on LATE pastures in year 2, and Dec. 12, 2003 on EARLY pastures and Jan. 8, 2004 on LATE pastures in year 3. Initial and average forage mass was greater (P < 0.05) from EARLY than from LATE seeded pasture resulting in 14 d earlier grazing and 75 kg less hay fed per calf. Three-year average weight and gain did not differ (P > 0.10) between seeding dates or tillage intensities, but interactions with year were observed. Based on 3 years of grazing animal performance data, producers in south Arkansas may have considerable flexibility in their decisions as to when to seed annual forages and to what level to till the sod. Forage quality varies across a growing season due to factors such as fertility and maturity. Our objective was to evaluate nutrient content and dry matter digestibility (in situ) of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) fertilized with different swine manure treatments and harvested on different dates. Tall fescue (Max-Q) was either not fertilized (CONT) or fertilized (127 kg N/ha) with normal swine manure (NORM), swine manure from pigs fed phytase (PHY), or PHY treated with aluminum chloride (PHY+AL). Forage was allowed to accumulate prior to harvesting, then clipped with hand shears (2.5 cm stubble height) on April 3, April 28, May 15, and June 23, 2003. Ruminally cannulated steers (n = 5; 548 kg BW) were used to evaluate these forages in situ. Fertilization with swine manure increased forage yield, crude protein, digestibility, Cu, and Zn, and reduced forage fiber concentrations on earlier harvest dates, but most of these nutrient benefits over unfertilized fescue were minimized as the fescue matured. Forage P was increased in fescue fertilized with NORM and PHY, but not in PHY+AL. Degradation rate of DM was greater (P < 0.05) from NORM and PHY than from CONT and decreased (P < 0.05) with advancing harvest dates through the May 16 harvest. The water soluble fraction and effective degradability were greater (P < 0.05) from fertilized than CONT fescue harvested April 3, but the improvement was not consistent across harvest dates for either measurement. Therefore, inclusion of phytase in swine diets along with subsequent treatment of the manure with aluminum chloride did not have consistent impacts on forage degradation compared with normal swine manure. Furthermore, fertilization with swine manure increased effective degradation of fescue initially, but the impact was not consistent at later harvest dates.

Impacts
Sod-seeded winter annuals can be grazed by fall-weaned calves and result in high rates of gain and reduced production costs. This offers cattlemen an economical option for retaining ownership or for developing replacement heifers. Early-seeded pastures were grazed earlier, but there were no overall differences in animal performance due to tillage or seeding date. Therefore producers have considerable flexibility in their decisions as to when to seed annual forages and to what level they till their sod, depending on how soon they need to begin grazing. Combining swine manure application and early forage harvest of tall fescue will provide forage with greater nutritional value and reduce the amount of purchased supplemental feeds and micronutrients for cows consuming these forages. Adding phytase to growing pig diets offers the potential to reduce total phosphorus applied in the manure and still maintain higher forage phosphorus concentrations, thereby reducing the need for phosphorus supplementation for cows consuming the forage.

Publications

  • Galdamez-Cabrera, N. W., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Scarbrough, D. A., Turner, J. E., Kegley, E. B., Johnson, Z. B., Kellogg, D. W., Gunsaulis, J. L., and Daniels, M. B. 2004. In-situ solubility of selected macrominerals from common bermudagrass fertilized with different nitrogen rates and harvested on two dates. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 111:203-221.
  • Galdamez-Cabrera, N. W., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Scarbrough, D. A., Turner, J. E., Kegley, E. B., Johnson, Z. B., Kellogg, D. W., Gunsaulis, J. L. and Daniels, M. B. 2004. Sulfur concentrations and in-situ solubility of selected microminerals from common bermudagrass fertilized with different nitrogen rates and harvested on two dates. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 111:223-237.
  • McGinley, B. C., Coffey, K. P., Sauer, T. J., Goodwin, H. L., Humphry, J. B., Coblentz, W .K., and McBeth, L. J. 2004. Case Study: Mineral content of forages grown on poultry litter amended soils. Prof. Anim. Sci. 20:136-145.
  • Reynolds, J. L., Ogden, R. K., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Maxwell, C. V., and VanDevender, K. 2004. In situ digestibility of tall fescue fertilized with different swine manure treatments and harvested on four dates. J. Anim. Sci. 82(Suppl. 1):90.
  • Coffey, K., Montgomery, G., Coblentz, W., Whitworth, W. and Francis, P. 2004. Growth-performance of heifers grazing wheat and ryegrass pastures sod-seeded into bermudagrass with different tillage intensities and seeding dates. Arkansas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Series 522:69-70.
  • Reynolds, J. L., Ogden, R., Coffey, K., Maxwell, C., and Coblentz, W. 2004. In Situ digestibility of tall fescue fertilized with different swine manure treatments and harvested on four dates. Arkansas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Series 522:66-68.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Gelbvieh x Angus crossbred heifers (252 kg initial BW) grazed common bermudagrass pastures overseeded with wheat and ryegrass during the winters of 2002 and 2003 to compare the effect of seeding either during the first week of September (EARLY) or during mid-October (LATE) following either one (1x) or two (2x) diskings before seeding. Grazing began 12/20/2001 on each pasture in year 1, but began 11/20/ 2002 on all EARLY pastures and 12/5/2002 for all LATE pastures in year 2. Grazing continued through 5/11/2002 in year 1 and through 4/25/2003 in year 2. Initial forage mass was greater (P<0.05) and average forage mass tended (P<0.10) to be greater from EARLY than from LATE seeded pasture. Body weights and gain did not differ (P>0.10) between seeding dates or tillage intensity. Based on 2 years of grazing animal performance data, producers may have considerable flexibility in their decisions as to when to seed annual forages and to what level they till their sod. Fasting and transportation invoke stress on cattle and cause them to accelerate their excretion of vital nutrients. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding an electrolyte mixture (RATE) prior to a period of fasting (Exp. 1) or transport (Exp. 2 and 3) on calf weight loss. In Experiment 1, calves grazing bermudagrass pastures were fed a control grain sorghum-based supplement (Control) or Control with 1.0 to 1.5 g/head/d of RATE for 79 d beginning 6/16/02. On the last day of the study, calves were fed, then gathered and held without feed or water for 10 h. Animal gain did not differ (P>0.10) between supplement groups. Calves fed Control had lower (P<0.05) shrink during the first 2 h of feed and water deprivation, while those fed RATE had lower shrink during the second 2-h period and tended (P=0.05) to shrink less than Control calves during the first 4 h of feed and water deprivation. Total weight loss did not differ after 10 h of feed and water deprivation. In Exp. 2 and 3, calves were fed Control or 4 g/head/day of RATE for 2 to 4 d prior to transport. Transport shrink did not differ (P>0.10) between Control and RATE in either study. Therefore longer feeding periods of a low level of supplemental electrolytes may reduce shrink during the early periods following feed and water deprivation, but short-term feeding of this electrolyte product does not appear to impact transportation shrink.

Impacts
Sod-seeded winter annuals can be grazed by fall-weaned calves and result in high rates of gain and reduced production costs. This offers cattlemen an economical option for retaining ownership or for developing replacement heifers. Early-seeded pastures were grazed earlier, but there were no overall differences in animal performance due to tillage or seeding date. Therefore producers have considerable flexibility in their decisions as to when to seed annual forages and to what level they till their sod, depending on how soon they need to begin grazing.

Publications

  • McGinley, B. C., et al. 2003. Effect of harvest date and fertilization rate on nitrogen degradation of bermudagrass. J. Anim. Sci. 81(Suppl. 2)
  • McGinley, B. C., et al. 2003. Mineral content of forages grown on poultry litter-amended soils. J. Anim. Sci. 81(Suppl. 2)
  • McGinley, B.C., 2003. Mineral content and nitrogen degradation characteristics of forages grown on poultry litter amended soils. M.S. Thesis. University of Arkansas.
  • Coffey, K., et al. 2003. Effect of electrolyte supplementation on growth performance and(or) weight loss of fasted calves. Arkansas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Series 509:65-67.
  • Coffey, K., et al. 2003. Effect of tillage intensity and seeding date on growth-performance of heifers grazing sod-seeded wheat and ryegrass pastures. Arkansas Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Series 509:100-101.
  • Whitworth, W. A., et al. 2003. Comparison of synchrony rates of Bos taurus and Bos indicus-type females using CIDR devices in combination with prostaglandin and ECP or GnRH. AR Ag. Exp. Sta. Res. Ser.509:53-54.
  • Galdamez-Cabrera, et al. 2003. In-situ degradation of dry matter and fiber from bermudagrass fertilized with different nitrogen rates and harvested on two dates. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 105:185-198.
  • McBeth, L. J., et al. 2003. Impact of heating-degree-day accumulation during storage of bermudagrass hay on in situ degradation kinetics from steers. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 108:147-158.


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Four farms in NW Arkansas and NE Oklahoma with a history of poultry litter application for fertilizer were used to monitor forage mineral concentrations and the grass tetany ratio (equivalent ratio of K to Ca plus Mg) from April 2000 to March 2002. Initial soil test phosphorus (STP) concentrations were 230, 282, 526, and 636 kg/ha on the four farms. Forage Ca, P, K, S, Fe, and Zn concentrations from each farm were greater (P < 0.05) than requirements for beef cows in gestation and lactation when averaged across all sampling dates, and Ca, P, K, and Zn concentrations rarely fell below the lactation requirements on any date. Average forage Mg concentrations varied across farms; those from one farm were above (P < 0.05) while those from three farms were not different (P >0.05) from the requirements for lactating beef cows. Average tetany ratios from all farms were below (P < 0.05) the tetany threshold of 2.2, but forage from two farms surpassed the tetany threshold during the spring of 2000 and one surpassed it during the spring of 2001. Average forage Cu concentrations were above (P < 0.05) requirements on one farm, below (P < 0.05) requirements on another farm and did not differ (P > 0.05) from the requirements on two farms. Pastures fertilized with broiler litter may meet most but not all mineral requirements of beef cattle and warrant supplementation of specific minerals, particularly Mg and Cu. Bermudagrass was fertilized at four rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N/ha) approximately 31 d prior to first and third harvests on May 30 and August 18 to determine in situ mineral degradation. Five crossbred ruminally cannulated steers (421.5 kg BW) were used to evaluate these forages in situ in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 4 (harvest x N fertilization rate) factorial arrangement. Forage Ca, Mg, K, Zn, and Cu concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increasing N rate. Greater than 70 % of the plant P, K, and Mg was located in the water-soluble fraction. Effective ruminal disappearance of Ca, P, Mg, K, Zn, and Cu from most of the forages was greater than 70% and increased slightly in most instances as N fertilization rate was increased. Therefore, ruminal solubility is not a limiting factor in utilization of minerals from forages. Gelbvieh x Angus crossbred heifers grazed pastures of common bermudagrass overseeded with wheat and ryegrass during the winter of 2002. Grazing began December 20 on all pastures and continued through May 11. Forage mass was greater (P<0.10) during early sampling periods from pastures seeded during the first week of September (EARLY) than from those seeded in mid-October (LATE). Body weights tended (P<0.10) to be greater on January 15 and were greater (P<0.05) on Febuary 15 from heifers grazing EARLY pastures than from those grazing LATE pastures. By the end of the grazing season, total gains did not differ (P>0.10) because of tillage intensity or seeding date. Therefore, as far as animal gains are concerned, producers may have considerable flexibility in their decisions as to when to seed annual forages and to what extent they till their soil.

Impacts
Forage samples gathered throughout the year from farms with a history of broiler litter application as a fertilizer source contained adequate macro mineral concentrations to meet those required for lactating beef cows, but copper concentrations were marginal. However, excessive potassium concentrations increased the probability of grass tetany in the spring. Further studies have shown that ruminal solubility is not limiting utilization of these minerals.

Publications

  • Humphry, J. B., Coffey, K. P., Moyer, J. L., Brazle, F. K., and Loas, L. W. 2002. Intake, digestion, and digestive characteristics by heifers offered Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected and non-infected fescue hay diets supplemented with Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract or laidlomycin propionate. J. Anim. Sci. 80:225-234.
  • Coffey, K. P., Humphry, J. B., Sauer, T. J., Goodwin, H. L., Moore, P. A., Jr., Johnson, Z. B., Kegley, E. B., McBeth, L. J., McGinely, B. C., and Coblentz, W. K. 2002. Forage macro-and trace mineral concentrations from pastures fertilized with broiler litter. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Supp. 1):386.(Abstr.)
  • Galdamez, N. W., Coffey, K.P., Coblentz, W.K., Gunsaulis, J. L., Scarbrough, D. A., Turner, J.E., Kegley, E. B., Teague, K. A., and Daniels, M. B. 2002. Influence of nitrogen fertilization rate on content and in situ solubility of selected macrominerals from common bermudagrass harvested on two dates. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):387. (Abstr.)
  • Galdamez, N. W., Coffey, K.P., Coblentz, W.K., Turner, J.E., Scarbrough, D. A., Humphry, J. B., Gunsaulis, J. L., and Daniels, M. B. 2002. Effects of different nitrogen fertilization rates and harvest dates on bermudagrass quality and in situ DM and fiber degradation. J. Anim. Sci. 80(Suppl. 2):95.(Abstr.)
  • Galdamez-Cabrera, N. W. 2002. Nutrient utilization of nitrogen fertilized bermudagrass. M.S. Thesis. University of Arkansas.
  • Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Montgomery, T. G., Shockey, J. D., Bryant, K. J., Francis, P. B., and Rosenkrans, C. F., Jr. 2002. Growth performance of stocker calves backgrounded on sod-seeded winter annuals or hay and grain. J. Anim. Sci. 80:926-932.


Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
Four farms in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma that utilized broiler litter for fertilizer were monitored for nutrient cycling beginning April 2000. Initial soil test phosphorus (STP) concentrations were 230, 282, 526, and 636 kg/ha on the four farms. Random forage samples were gathered monthly during normal grazing and analyzed for macro and trace elements; these concentrations were averaged across sampling dates and compared with the requirements of gestating and early lactating beef cattle using a t-test. The equivalent ratio of K to Ca + Mg was calculated to indicate the likelihood of grass tetany problems. Mean forage Ca, P, S, Co, and Fe concentrations from each farm exceeded (P<0.05) lactating cow requirements. Forage Mg concentrations from the farm with the highest STP exceeded (P<0.05) the Mg requirement for lactating cows, but the other three farms exceeded (P<0.05) only the Mg requirement for gestating cows. Only the two farms with the lowest STP had average grass tetany ratios below (P<0.05) 2.2, but each farm had grass tetany ratios above 2.2 when sampled in the spring. The farm with the lowest STP had inadequate (P<0.05) forage Cu concentrations, but forage Se and Zn concentrations did not differ (P<0.05) from NRC requirements. The farms with the two highest STP levels exceeded (P<0.05) Se requirements and farms with the three highest STP exceeded Zn requirements. Therefore, producers grazing broiler litter amended sites should be able to reduce Ca and P supplementation for their cows, but should provide adequate Mg supplementation in the spring. Bermudagrass was fertilized at four rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg N/ha) approximately 31 d prior to first and third harvests on May 30 and August 18 to determine in situ DM and NDF degradation. Five crossbred ruminally cannulated steers (421.5 kg BW) were used to evaluate these forages in situ in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 4 (harvest x N fertilization rate) factorial arrangement. Forage N concentration increased with increasing N rate in May (y = 0.0027x + 2.69; P=0.018) and August (y = 0.0038x + 1.82; P=0.016), but fiber concentrations did not differ (P<0.05) across fertilization rates. Nitrogen concentrations were higher and NDF concentrations were lower (P<0.01) on May 30 compared with August 18. The N fertilization by harvest date interaction was evident for the immediately soluble fraction of DM (P=0.01) and NDF (P=0.06). The DM degradation rate tended to increase (y = 0.00003x + 0.032; P=0.07) and effective DM degradability increased with N fertilization rate (y = 0.018x + 49.97; P<0.01). Likewise, rate of NDF degradation increased (y = 0.00004x + 0.028; P=0.02) and effective NDF degradability tended to increase (y = 0.010x + 37.69; P=0.09) with increasing N fertilization rate. The undegradable DM fraction was higher and the potential extent of digestion and effective degradability were lower (P<0.01) on August 18 compared with May 30. Therefore, N fertilization improves quality of bermudagrass marginally by increasing N concentration in the plant as well as improving the degradation rate and effective ruminal degradability of DM and NDF.

Impacts
Forage samples were gathered throughout the year from farms with a history of using broiler litter as a fertilizer source. Mean forage Ca, P, S, Co, and Fe concentrations from each farm exceeded those required for lactating beef cows. Magnesium concentrations were somewhat variable, and the grass tetany ratio was of concern in the spring on all sampled farms, primarily because of excessive K concentrations in the forage. Therefore, forages grown on broiler litter amended sites may be adequate in most macro minerals, but concentrations of Mg and certain trace minerals such as Cu may not be adequate throughout the year. Fertilizing bermudagrass with levels nitrogen up to 150 lb/acre improves quality of bermudagrass marginally by increasing crude protein concentration in the plant as well as improving the degradation rate and ruminal degradability of dry matter and fiber.

Publications

  • McBeth, L. J., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Turner, J. E., Scarbrough, D. A., Bailey, C. R., and Stivarius, M. R. 2001. Impact of heating-degree-day accumulation during bermudagrass hay storage on nutrient utilization by lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 79:2698-2703.
  • Coblentz, W.K., Coffey, K.P., Turner, J.E., Scarbrough, D.A., Weyers, J.S., Harrison, K.F., Johnson Z.B., Daniels, L.B., Rosenkrans, C.F. Jr., Kellogg, D.W., and Hubbell, D.S. III. 2001. Ruminal nitrogen disappearance from sod-seeded cereal grains in northern Arkansas. An. Feed Sci. Technol. 89:17-32.
  • Coblentz, W.K., J.E. Turner, D.A. Scarbrough, K.P. Coffey, D.W. Kellogg, and L.J. McBeth. 2001. Degradation of nitrogen in heated bermudagrass hays by enzymatic methods. Crop. Sci. 41:1572-1578.
  • Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Humphry, J. B., and Brazle, F. K. 2001. Review: Basic principles and economics of transportation shrink in beef cattle. Prof. Anim. Sci. 17:247-255.
  • Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Humphry, J. B., Piper, E. L., Rosenkrans, C. F. Jr., Hubbell, D. S. III, Harrison, K. F., Denard, T. M., Pohlman, F. W., Hellwig, D. H., Daniels, L. B., and McBeth, L. J. 2001. Growth-performance and serum prolactin concentrations of stocker steers implanted with trenbolone acetate while grazing endophyte-infected fescue in the spring. Prof. Anim. Sci. 17:166-173.
  • Ratchford-Milliken, W. A., Coffey, K. P., Kegley, E. B., and Galloway, D. L. Sr. 2001. Apparent magnesium absorption, retention, and serum mineral concentrations in lambs fed different sources of magnesium. Prof. Anim. Sci. 17:267-273.
  • Scarbrough, D. A., Coblentz, W. K., Coffey, K. P., Turner, J. E., Davis, G. V., Kellogg, D. W., and Hellwig, D. H. 2001. Effects of calendar date and summer management on the in situ dry matter and fiber degradation of stockpiled forage from bermudagrass pastures. J. Anim. Sci. 79:3158-3169.
  • Silzell, S. A., Kegley, E. B., Coffey, K. P., Daniels, L. B., and Beers, K. 2001. Case Study: Interaction of amprolium and supplemental dietary thiamin on thiamin status and growth performance of calves new to the feedlot environment. Prof. Anim. Sci. 17:202-207.


Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
Two studies were conducted to evaluate summer supplementation programs for stocker cattle grazing bermudagrass - dallisgrass pastures. In the first study we compared grain sorghum (GS), soybean hulls (SH), or a 1:1 mixture of grain sorghum and soybean hulls fed at a rate of 3 lb/day. In the second study we fed GS at either 0, .5, or 1% of body weight to stocker calves grazing those same forages. Supplement type (GS, SH, or a mix of the two) did not affect animal gains and gains averaged approximately 1.5 lb/day across all treatments. Level of supplement had a large impact on animal gain and conversion efficiency. Steers fed GS at 0, .5, or 1% of body weight gained 1.5, 1.6, and 1.9 lb/day, respectively. At these gains, conversion efficiencies of the supplemental GS were 20.8 and 11.6 when fed at .5 and 1% of body weight, respectively. Stocker cattle producers can use this information to estimate actual gains and economic efficiencies of supplementation based on their own feed, pasture, and interest costs. A three-year study was conducted comparing growth performance of calves grazing annual ryegrass (RG), rye + RG, or wheat + RG with that of calves fed bermudagrass hay and GS. During the first two years, calves fed hay and grain gained less (1.42 lb/day) than those grazing winter annual pastures (2.21 lb/day). Calves grazing RG numerically gained more (2.36 lb/day) than those grazing rye + RG (2.16 lb/day) or wheat + RG (2.12 lb/day). During the third year, growing conditions were less than optimal and gains by calves fed hay and grain were numerically greater (1.86 lb/day) than those from calves grazing winter annual forages (1.60 lb/day avg.). Information about animal production from different winter annual programs allows producers to make management decisions pertaining to forage types and retained ownership under their own conditions. The impact of heating-degree day (HDD) accumulation in stored bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay was evaluated for in situ nutrient disappearance from cattle and nutrient utilization by lambs. Hays selected for this study had previously undergone spontaneous heating, producing either 5, 119, 201, 273, or 401 HDD (> 35 degrees C) during a 60-d storage period. In situ degradation rates of dry matter (DM), fiber (NDF), nitrogen (N), and NDF nitrogen (NDIN) declined linearly by between 21 and 38.5% as level of spontaneous heating increased. Effective in situ DM, NDF, and N degradability decreased linearly by between 12 and 16% with increased HDD; that of NDIN decreased by 24%. In the lamb study, linear relationships between digestion characteristics of these hays and HDD were also observed. For each increase of 100 HDD, digestibilities of DM and NDF were reduced by 1.6 and 1 percentage units, apparent N absorption was reduced by 4 percentage units or 2.5 g/d, and N retention was reduced by 3.6 percentage units or 2 g/d. Therefore, spontaneous heating during the storage of bermudagrass hay reduces degradation of nutrients in the rumen and has a negative impact on dry matter and fiber digestion and nitrogen utilization by lambs.

Impacts
Animals fed bermudagrass hay that has undergone spontaneous heating should consume less of the heated hay, digest less of it, and the protein from the hay would be less available to those livestock. With this information, livestock producers could design supplementation programs to compensate for the reduced forage intake and reduced energy and protein values from heat-damaged hay. Weaned calves grazing through the winter on dormant bermudagrass and dallisgrass pastures overseeded with ryegrass gained similarly to those grazing pastures overseeded with ryegrass plus additional wheat or cereal rye. This information can be used to save producers money spent on unnecessary seed and help improve profitability.

Publications

  • Apple, J. K., Watson, H. B., Coffey, K. P., Kegley, E. B. and Rakes, L. K. 2000. Comparison of different magnesium sources on lamb muscle quality. Meat Sci. 55:443-449.
  • Coblentz, W.K., Coffey, K.P., Turner, J.E., Scarbrough, D.A., Weyers, J.S., Harrison, K.F., Johnson, Z.B., Daniels, L.B., Rosenkrans, Jr., C.F., Kellogg, D.W., and Hubbell, III, D.S. 2000. Dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradation kinetics of sod-seeded cereal grains in northern Arkansas. J. Dairy Sci. 83:2499-2511.
  • Coblentz, W.K., Coffey, K.P., Turner, J.E., Scarbrough, D.A., Weyers, J.S., Harrison, K.F., Johnson, Z.B., Daniels, L.B., Rosenkrans, Jr., C.F., Kellogg, D.W., and Hubbell, III D.S. 2000. Nitrogen degradation kinetics of sod-seeded cereal grains in northern Arkansas. An. Feed Sci. Tech. (In press).
  • Coblentz, W.K., Turner, J.E., Scarbrough, D.A., Lesmeister, K.E., Johnson, Z.B., Kellogg, D.W., Coffey, K.P., McBeth, L.J. and Weyers, J.S. 2000. Storage characteristics and nutritive value changes in bermudagrass hay as affected by moisture content and density of rectangular bales. Crop. Sci. 40:1375-1383.
  • Coffey, K.P., Nagaraja, T.G., Towne, G., Brazle, F.K., and Moyer, J.L. 2000. Digestibility of prairie hay diets supplemented with different levels of magnesium mica by beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 78:718-725.
  • Coffey, K.P., Moyer, J.L., Brazle, F.K., Nagaraja, T.G. and Lomas, L. W. 2000. Growth-performance by stocker steers fed magnesium-mica during a grazing and/or feedlot period. Prof. Anim. Sci. 16:175-181.
  • Kegley, E.B., Silzell, S.A., Kreider, D.L., Galloway, D.L. and Coffey, K.P. 2000. The immune response and performance of calves supplemented with zinc from an organic or an inorganic source. Prof. Anim. Scientist. (In press)
  • Lomas, L.W., Moyer, J.L., Milliken, G.A. and Coffey, K.P. 2000. Effect of grazing system on performance of cow-calf pairs grazing bermudagrass pastures interseeded with wheat and legumes. Prof. Anim. Sci. 16:169-174.
  • Moyer, J. L., and Coffey, K. P. 2000. Forage quality and production of small grains interseeded into bermudagrass sod or grown in monoculture. Agron. J. 92:748-753.
  • Ratchford-Milliken, W. A., Coffey, K. P., Kegley, E. B., Shockey, J. D., Hubbell, III, D. L., Gunter, S. A., Galloway, Sr., D. L. and Harrison, K. F. 2000. Growth-performance and serum mineral concentrations of stocker calves grazing wheat pastures and fed different sources of magnesium. Prof. Anim. Sci. 16:234-240.
  • Rosenkrans, Jr., C. F., Coffey, K. P., Paria, B. C., Tarn, C. Y., Johnson, Z. B. and Moyer, J. L. 2000. Effects of fescue and clover forage on serum lactate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzymatic profiles in steers. Vet. Human Toxicology. 42:337-340.


Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
Fall-calving cow/calf pairs (n=128; 502 and 139 kg for cows and calves, respectively) grazing Neotyphodium coenophialum - infected tall fescue pastures were fed rice bran - based supplements containing either no supplemental zeolite, or zeolite supplemented at .14 or .27 kg/d during 56-d winter grazing studies during 1998 and 1999. No treatment differences (P > .10) were detected for cow or calf weight, milk production, serum prolactin, or cow body condition score change. Mixed-breed steers (n=130; 246 kg) grazed tall fescue pastures having either high (HE) or low (LE) incidence of infection with N. coenophialum for 64 d beginning April 13. Half of the steers on each forage were implanted with a combination of 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (TBA) and the remaining half were not implanted. No implant by forage infection level interactions were detected (P > .10). Steers grazing LE had greater (P < .01) gain and serum prolactin levels and lower (P < .05) hair scores than those grazing HE pastures. Implanted steers had greater gain (P < .05), but serum prolactin levels and hair scores were not affected (P > .10) by implant. Across forage and implant treatments, overall gains were correlated negatively with hair scores measured on d 64 (r = -. 28; P < .01), and correlated positively with serum prolactin concentrations measured on d 36 and 64 (r = .33 and .43, respectively; P < .01). A study (winters of 1998 and 1999) involving 120 crossbred calves (261 kg) was conducted to evaluate different winter feeding programs. Calves fed hay (ad libitum) with grain sorghum (1% of body weight) gained less weight (P < .05), and had a higher cost of gain, and lower return per head than calves that grazed bermudagrass overseeded with either annual ryegrass (RG), wheat and RG, or rye and RG. Cost of gain and return/head was lower (P < .05) for RG than for rye + RG while that of wheat + RG was intermediate. Fall-born calves (n=144; 201 kg) were loaded and transported to a local auction barn on d 28 and brought back to the research station and vaccinated on the morning of d 29 in each year of a 2-year study. Half of the calves received vaccinations against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine virus diarrhea (BVD), parainfluenza (PI3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), five strains of Leptospira sp., H. somnus, and Pasturella haemolytica on day 0 (EV); half were not vaccinated day 29 (LV). Half of the calves were weaned on day 14 (EW) whereas half of the groups were weaned on d 28 (LW). Calves on the EW-LV program had lower (P < .05) gain from d 0 until the morning of shipping and than calves on the other treatments in yr 1 and lower gain from d 0 until weighing at the auction barn than EW-EV and LW-EV calves. No differences in weight gain were detected (P > .10) in yr 2. Early-weaned calves lost more (P < .10) weight between their being weighed at the auction barn (1600 h) and their return to the research station and required more (P < .05) d to regain transit weight loss than late-weaned calves. No differences (P > .10) in calf morbidity were detected among treatments in either year.

Impacts
Tall fescue toxicity has a dramatic impact on animal performance. Neither feeding zeolite to cows, nor implanting steers with trenbolone acetate offset fescue toxicity during grazing. Responses to vaccination prior to weaning and transportation were variable across years, but calves removed directly from their dams prior to transport lost less weight from the time they were weighed at a sale barn and returned to the research station than calves weaned two weeks prior to transportation. Those calves also and required less time to recover weight lost during transportation.

Publications

  • Coblentz, W. K., Coffey, K. P., and Turner, J. E. 1999. Quality characteristics of eastern gammagrass forage. Prof. Anim. Scientist. 15:211-223.
  • Sauer, T. J., Daniels, T. C., Moore, Jr., P. A., Coffey, K. P., Nichols, D. J., and West, C. P. 1999. Poultry litter and grazing animal waste effects on runoff water quality. J. Environ. Qual. 28:860-865.
  • Apple, J. K., Watson, H. B., Coffey, K. P., and Kegley, E. B. 1999. Comparison of magnesium sources on carcass traits, muscle color, and tenderness of finishing lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1):13.
  • Coblentz, W. K., Kellogg, D. W., Turner, J. E., Scarbrough, D. A., Lesmeister, K. E., Coffey, K. P., McBeth, L. J., and Weyers, J. S. 1999. The effects of bale moisture, bale density, and spontaneous heating on quality characteristics of bermuda hay. Agron. Abstr.: 142.
  • Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Turner, J. E., Daniels, L. B., Scarbrough, D. A., Weyers, J. A., Rosenkrans, Jr., C. F., and Harrison, K. F. 1999. The effects of calendar dates and growth stage on forage quality and dry matter digestion kinetics of oat, wheat, and rye. Agron. Abstr.: 142.
  • Coffey, K. P., Rosenkrans, Jr., C. F., Coblentz, W. K., Holt, T. H., Hubbell, III, D. S., Piper, E. L., and Watson, H. B. 1999. Performance of cows and calves grazing fescue and fed zeolite. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1):81.
  • Coffey, K. P., Hellwig, D. H., Rosenkrans, C. F., Coblentz, Jr. W. K., Daniels, L. B., Holt, T. H., Hubbell III, D. S., and Watson, H. B. 1999. Effect of pre-weaning and/or pre-vaccination on weight change during the weaning process. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1): 38.
  • Scarbrough, D. A., Coblentz, W. K., Coffey, K. P., Turner, J. E., Davis, G. V., and Kellogg, D. W. 1999. Effects of calendar date and summer management on in situ dry matter digestibility of stockpiled bermuda. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1):209.
  • Turner, J. E., Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Kelley, K. W., Scarbrough, D. L., and Lesmeister, K. L. 1999. Quality of stubble from different grain sorghum hybrids. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1):81.
  • Watson, H. B., Maxwell, C. B., de Rhodas, B. Z., Apple, J. K., Coffey, K. P., Johnson, Z. B., and Pohlman, F. W. 1999. Effects of magnesium-mica on performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing swine. J. Anim. Sci. 77(Suppl. 1):67.


Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
Weight gain by stocker calves (242 kg) grazing bermudagrass/dallisgrass pastures that had been overseeded with soft-red winter wheat did not differ (P > .10) among calves fed magnesium oxide (MgO), unweathered magnesium-mica (UMM), or weathered magnesium-mica during a 112-day study. Likewise, serum concentrations of Mg, Ca, K, Cu, and Zn did not differ (P > .10) among treatments. Serum Cu concentrations were lower (P < .05) on the last two sampling dates than on the initial sampling date regardless of treatment. In a second study, weight gain did not differ (P > .10) among steers (276 kg) fed no supplemental Mg source, MgO, UMM, or WMM while grazing soft-red winter wheat pastures in the spring. Serum Mg concentrations were lower (P < .05) and serum Cu concentrations were higher (P < .05) from calves fed MgO than from calves fed the other treatments. As in the first study, serum Cu concentrations were lower (P < .05) across all treatments the last two sampling dates. Serum mineral levels in both studies were within physiologically normal ranges. Therefore, either the different magnesium sources fed in these studies were similar in their Mg availability or sufficient levels of available Mg were provided in the forage. Lambs (36.2 kg) were fed corn-based finishing diets containing either no supplemental Mg source, MgO with iron sulfate (MgO+FeS), UMM, or WMM for 95 days. Total weight gain, DM intake, feed efficiency and wool production did not differ (P > .10) across treatments, but DM and OM of MgO+FeS and UMM diets were more digestible (%; P < .05 and .10, respectively) than WMM. Lambs fed MgO+FeS and WMM tended (P < .10) to have greater flank streaking and quality grade than those fed UMM, but other carcass measurements did not differ (P > .10) among diets. Therefore, either WMM or UMM can be uses as a supplemental Mg source with no detrimental effects. Weaned stocker calves (268 kg) were allotted to one of four backgrounding programs for 112 days beginning December 18; 1) bermudagrass hay plus a grain sorghum-based supplement (1% of BW)or 2) grazing pastures of bermudagrass/dallisgrass that were overseeded with either annual ryegrass, 3) wheat plus annual ryegrass, or 4) rye plus annual ryegrass. Calves fed the hay + supplement treatment gained less weight (P < .05), and had a higher cost of gain, and lower return/head than calves grazed on winter annual forages. Return ($/calf) above expenses was positive ($31.33 avg.) for all winter annual programs and negative (-$38.94) for the hay + supplement treatment. Fall calving cows with calves grazed Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected stockpiled fescue and were fed either no supplemental zeolite or .3 or .6 lb/d (Monday - Friday) of a zeolite shown to bind ergovaline from in rumen fluid. Cow and calf weight change and cow body condition scores did not differ (P > .10) among treatments during the 56-day study. Milk production was numerically 33% greater from cows fed zeolite.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • Sauer, T.J., Moore, P.A. Jr., Coffey, K.P. and Rutledge, E.M. 1998. Characterizing the surface properties of soils at varying landscape positions in the Ozark Highlands. Crop Sci. 163: 907-915.
  • Daniels, L.B., et al. 1998. Utilization of soft-red winter wheat forage for stocker cattle production during the fall and winter. J. Prod. Agric (In press).
  • Coffey, K. P., Coblentz, W. K., Turner, J. E. and Davis, G. V. 1998. Forage quality of stockpiled bermudagrass after high and low summer management. 1998 Agron. Abstr. pp. 145.
  • Daniels, L.B., Harrison, K.F., Hubbell, D., Kegley, E.B., Brown, Jr., A.H. and Coffey, K. 1998. Stocker cattle production utilizing soft-red winter wheat forage. J. Anim. Sci. 76(Suppl. 2):23.
  • Ratchford, W.A., Coffey, K.P., et al. 1998. Performance by stocker calves offered magnesium-mica as a supplement to grazing wheat pasture. J. Anim. Sci. 76(Suppl. 2):20.
  • Sauer, T.J., et al. 1998. Relative impacts of poultry litter application and grazing animal excretions on pasture runoff water quality. Proc. 1998 Anm. Prod. Systems and the Envrn. International Conf.
  • Sauer, T.J., et al. 1998. Assessing the sustainability of confined animal production systems using soil phosphorus assimilation criteria. Proc. Am. Soc. Agron. Annual Meeting.
  • Watson, H.B., K.P. Coffey, E.B. Kegley, J.K. Apple, and W.R. Ratchford. 1998. Comparison of magnesium sources in diets of finishing lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 76(Suppl. 1):359.
  • Wells, C.A., et al. 1998. Development and use of a checksheet for assessment of sustainability of cow-calf operations using pasture as primary feed source. J. Anim. Sci. 76(Suppl. 2):8.