Forage and breed effects on behavior and temperament of pregnant beef heifers

Abstract

BackgroundIntegration of behavioral observations with traditional selection schemes may lead to enhanced animal well-being and more profitable forage-based cattle production systems. Brahman-influenced (BR; n = 64) and Gelbvieh × Angus (GA; n = 64) heifers consumed either toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+) or one of two nontoxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (NT) cultivars during two yr. Heifers were weighed at midpoint and termination of grazing. Grazing behavior (grazing, resting in the shade, lying, or standing without grazing) was recorded (n = 13 visual observations per yr in June and July) for each pasture. During yr 2, exit velocity (EV) and serum prolactin (PRL) were determined.ResultsGrazing behavior was influenced (P < 0.05) by an interaction between fescue cultivar and breed type. Gelbvieh × Angus heifers assigned to E+ pastures had the lowest percentage of animals grazing and the largest percentage of animals resting in the shade. Brahman-influenced heifers had faster EV (P < 0.001) than GA heifers (0.52 vs. 0.74 ± 0.04 s/m, respectively). Body weight (BW) was affected (P < 0.01) by an interaction of tall fescue cultivar and d, and an interaction of tall fescue cultivar and breed type. Heifers grazing NT pastures were heavier (P < 0.01) than heifers grazing E+ pastures at midpoint and termination. Gelbvieh × Angus heifers grazing NT pastures were heavier (P < 0.01) than GA and BR heifers grazing E+ and BR heifers grazing NT pastures. An interaction of forage cultivar and breed type occurred on serum PRL (P < 0.01).ConclusionCollectively fescue cultivar, EV, and concentrations of serum PRL were associated with grazing behavior. Heifers grazing NT pastures were observed to be grazing more than heifers assigned to E+ pastures, regardless of breed type, which may have contributed to changes in BW and average daily gain (ADG) in heifers. Integration of behavioral observations along with traditional selection schemes may lead to enhanced animal well-being and more profitable forage-based cattle production systems.

Cattle select against the invasive grass tall fescue in heterogeneous pastures managed with prescribed fire

“…Given the known negative effects of tall fescue on cattle health (Mays et al., ; Schmidt et al., ; Stuedemann & Hoveland, ), some cattle producers are concerned that tall fescue could adversely affect livestock production and are open to reducing its abundance on their lands (Coon, Morton, & Miller, ). Our results show that tall fescue is underutilized relative to other forages, and thus maintaining high levels on pastures may be counterproductive to production goals in the Midwestern United States.…”

“…At a fine spatial scale, areas of pastures with abundant tall fescue exhibited low use levels, indicating avoidance of tall fescue by cattle. These results suggest that tall fescue is not a preferred forage in heterogeneous Given the known negative effects of tall fescue on cattle health (Mays et al, 2013;Schmidt et al, 1982;Stuedemann & Hoveland, 1988), some cattle producers are concerned that tall fescue could adversely affect livestock production and are open to reducing its abundance on their lands (Coon, Morton, & Miller, 2018). Our results show that tall fescue is underutilized relative to other forages, and thus maintaining high levels on pastures may be counterproductive to production goals in the Midwestern United States.…”

“…Even so, it is one of the most widely used livestock forages in the country due to its high herbage production and drought tolerance—benefits conferred by a mutualistic relationship with a fungal endophyte, Epichloë coenophiala (Arachevaleta, Bacon, Hoveland, & Radcliffe, ; Ball, Lacefield, & Hoveland, ). Despite its agricultural benefits, this endophyte produces ergovaline toxins that can cause weight loss in cattle ( Bos taurus ), as well as decreased milk production, tail loss, lameness and poor thermal regulation (Mays et al., ; Schmidt et al., ; Stuedemann & Hoveland, ).…”

“…. Despite its agricultural benefits, this endophyte produces ergovaline toxins that can cause weight loss in cattle (Bos taurus), as well as decreased milk production, tail loss, lameness and poor thermal regulation (Mays et al, 2013;Schmidt et al, 1982;Stuedemann & Hoveland, 1988).…”

Genetic effects for reproductive performance of straightbred and crossbred Romosinuano and Angus cows in a temperate zone

“…Forage (tall fescue) containing a toxin predominates in some temperate areas of the world such as the upper South of the United States. Cattle with tropical adaptation (Brahman and Brahman crossbreds) exhibited relatively better tolerance and correspondingly higher performance when grazing tall fescue (Brown et al, 1993(Brown et al, , 2000(Brown et al, , 2001Browning, 2000;Browning and Thompson, 2002;Mays et al, 2013). If other breeds and types of tropically-adapted cattle such as Romosinuano exhibit similar performance in such areas, their presence would offer strategic breeding alternatives and an avenue for enhancing system sustainability.…”