Wednesday, 9 November 2005 - 8:15 AM
253-2

Continuous Direct Visual Observation of the Grazing Behavior of Beef Steers Grazing Lakota Prairie Grass and Different Tall Fescue Types.

H. T. Boland1, G. Scaglia1, J. Fontenot1, A. O. Abaye1, and R. Smith2. (1) Virginia Tech, 320 Litton Reaves Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306, (2) University of Kentucky, N222-E Ag. Science N, Deptl plant science, Lekington, KY 40390-0091

Fescue toxicosis is a major concern among producers with tall fescue being the dominant pasture in the Southeastern U.S. Symptoms, such as reduced weight gains, cause concern during summer months when fescue toxicosis is most pronounced. Alternative forages for grazing that do not have these negative effects are needed. The objective of this experiment was to determine the grazing behavior of cattle on Lakota (L) prairie grass (Bromus catharticus), Kentucky 31 endophyte infected (E+), Kentucky 31 endophyte free (E-)(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and Q4508-AR542 (Q) non-ergot alkaloid producing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea var.). Twelve Angus-crossbred steers (279±8 kg) were allotted to the four treatment pastures (three steers per pasture). Each pasture was 1.11 ha, equally divided into six paddocks. Paddocks were rotationally stocked for 7 d. In 2004, individual steers were continuously observed from 0600 to 2000 for 4 d in five periods every 28 d from May through September. Time spent grazing, ruminating, idling (defined as time with no jaw movements), or drinking, and standing or lying were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) with steer as the experimental unit. Forage nutritive value and herbage allowance were similar among treatments overall. Time spent grazing was highest for steers grazing L and lowest for steers on E+. Steers spent more time idling on E+ compared to the other treatments which were similar to each other. Time spent lying was highest for steers grazing Q and E-, while time spent standing was highest in E+. Time spent ruminating was similar among treatments. In this study L, Q, and E- show potential benefits for producers during summer months in terms of animal behavior, with steers spending more time grazing and less time idling compared to steers grazing E+ pastures.

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