Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue

Demonstrating conversion of wildtype to novel endophyte fescue pastures for greater livestock performance and better environmental outcomes

Project Background

Tall fescue is the predominant forage species used in animal production systems across the upper Southeast, but it is the host for a fungus that produces alkaloids that are toxic to livestock. Environmental concerns relative to pasture systems may have strong ties to the consumption of toxins in tall fescue. The toxins negatively affect animal productivity and increase heat stress, which leads animals to seek relief by cooling off in surface waters. New technologies offer promise for addressing this situation. Novel endophytes have been identified that do not produce alkaloids. Converting pastures to fescues with these endophytes offers opportunity both to increase animal performance and improve environmental outcomes. However, producer adoption of this promising conservation practice (i.e., of pasture conversion) has been limited, largely due to misperceptions about need as well as concerns over costs versus returns. This project uses public-private partnerships and on-farm demonstrations to increase producer awareness of fescue toxicosis, its effects on animal performance and its links to environmental quality. Routine and novel monitoring methods are used to document infection rates and effects on animal gain and behavior. These measures will be used to exhibit the benefits of converting wild type fescue pastures to novel endophyte tall fescue.