Effects of <i>Acremonium coenophialum</i> Infestation, Bermudagrass, and Nitrogen or Clover on Steers Grazing Tall Fescue Pastures

Abstract

Performance of cattle grazing tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is depressed when the grass is infested (E+) with the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum Morgan‐Jones and Gams. Steer performance can be improved when clover ( Trifolium spp. L.) is overseeded into tall fescue pastures, and beef production/acre can be increased when bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactlyon (L.) Pers.] is grown in combination with tall fescue. The objective of this study was to compare effects on steer performance of including ladino clover ( T. repens L.), ‘Midland’ bermudagrass, or a combination of both in E+ and noninfested (E−) tall fescue pastures. Three tester steers ( Bos taurus L.) per pasture grazed between April and September from 1983 through 1985. Additional cattle were used in a modified put‐and‐take management system to maintain similar quantity and quality of forage among pastures. Forage growth and consumption were measured by cage‐and‐strip methodology. Pastures with bermudagrass treatments averaged 18 and 53% bermudagrass in spring and summer, respectively. Clover content of pastures overseeded with clover was variable among treatment combinations and years and ranged from 6 to 53%. Greater average daily gains (ADG), beef production per acre, and forage dry matter consumption, and lower rectal temperatures and hair coat scores, were observed when cattle grazed E− rather than E+ tall fescue. Steer ADG was higher on E+ pastures when bermudagrass was present. Clover was equally effective in increasing ADG on E+ and E − tall fescue pastures. Bermudagrass and clover were both effective in improving steer performance and/or production on both E+ and E− tall fescue. Additionally, bermudagrass reduced somewhat the detrimental effects of E+ tall fescue.