Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop set for March 21 at Batesville, Ark., research station

 

One study estimated the annual cost of fescue toxicosis in cattle at $2 billion.

By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

March 6, 2024

Fast facts:

• Participants may register online
• Conference runs 8:15 to 4:30
• Conference includes tours, demonstrations, lunch
• $40 cost includes lunch and educational materials

LITTLE ROCK — The March 21 Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Renovation Workshop at Batesville will help ranchers find ways to manage one of the costliest health problems in the industry: fescue toxicosis in cattle.

One study estimated the annual cost of fescue toxicosis in cattle at $2 billion. Cattle with toxicosis can experience a range of symptoms including lack of appetite, reduced weight gain and in some cases hoof problems or even losing ear or tail parts.

Cattle grazing novel endophyte fescue (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Dirk Philipp)

How does this happen? 

Tall fescue is a popular forage because of its hardiness and versatility. Part of its toughness comes from its relationship with a certain fungus, known as an endophyte – endophyte meaning “inside or internal fungus.” The endophyte produces compounds that help provide resistance to some pests and give the plant its ability to handle environmental stress.

However, one compound, ergovaline, acts as a constrictor of blood vessels in cattle. The reduced blood flow can leave cattle unable to cool themselves and may also cut blood to extremities like ears and tails.

The good news is all of this is manageable. 

"Toxic tall fescue can really impact the production of livestock by interfering with reproduction efficiency and weight gains,” said Maggie Justice, extension beef cattle specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “This one-day workshop will focus on some of the key aspects of fescue toxicosis management along with the integration of different novel tall fescue varieties into our grazing systems.

“Our lineup speakers include local Arkansas producers, different seed company representatives along with several extension specialists and researchers from across the country,” she said.

Encouraging producers to move toward fescue with non-toxic — or “novel” — endophytes is a goal of the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, one of the partners for this workshop.  

"The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a collaborative multi-state effort to enhance the understanding of fescue toxicosis management and increase the adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue," Justice said. "The alliance includes researchers from several academic institutions, allied companies and government agencies. We are very excited to welcome these specialists to the state of Arkansas."

The event opens with registration at 8:15 a.m. and adjourns at 4:30 p.m. Participants must register in advance and may register online. Those without the internet can register by calling Maggie Justice at 501- 671-2350. Cost to attend is $40, which includes lunch and materials.

AGENDA

• 8:45 a.m. — Welcome — Maggie Justice, extension beef cattle specialist, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 9 a.m. — Tall Fescue Toxicosis: Symptoms and Causes — Leanne Dillard, associate professor and extension specialist-forage agronomics, Auburn University.
• 9:20 a.m.— Toxicosis Management — Matt Poore, ruminant nutrition extension specialist, North Carolina State University
• 10 a.m. — Understanding Endophytes — Carolyn Young, professor and department head of entomology and plant pathology at North Carolina State University.
• 10:25 a.m. — Electric Fence Demonstration — Kenny Simon, extension forage program associate, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 10:45 a.m. — Establishment and First-year Management — Will McClain, associate professor, Missouri State University
• 11:05 a.m. — Seed Quality and Testing — Gene Schmitz, extension livestock specialist, University of Missouri
• 11:30 a.m. — Partial Farm Renovation — Shane Gadberry, director, Livestock and Forestry Research Station, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 12:15 p.m. — Lunch
• 12:50 p.m. — Novel Endophyte Products
• 1:30 p.m. — Producer panel
• 2:15 p.m. — Economics — Matt Poore, ruminant nutrition extension specialist, North Carolina State University
• 2:45 p.m. — Cost-share and Incentive Programs — Monica Paskewitz, district conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service
• 3:15 p.m. — Rainfall Simulator — Jeremy Huff, land grazing specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Service
• 3:45 p.m. — Pasture tours — Shane Gadberry, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
• 4:30 p.m. — Adjourn

The event is presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the Alliance for Grassland Renewal and Farm Credit.