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Tall Fescue Toxicosis Mitigation Strategies: Comparisons ofCow-Calf Returns in Spring- and Fall-Calving Herds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Stephen A. Smith ,
James D. Caldwell ,
Michael P. Popp ,
Kenneth P. Coffey ,
John A. Jennings ,
Mary C. Savin  and
Charles F. Rosenkrans Jr
Stephen A. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
James D. Caldwell
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri
Michael P. Popp
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Kenneth P. Coffey
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
John A. Jennings
Affiliation:
Animal Science, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock, Arkansas
Mary C. Savin
Affiliation:
Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Charles F. Rosenkrans Jr
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
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Abstract

Tall fescue toxicosis adversely affects calving rate and weight gainsreducing returns to cow-calf producers in the south–central United States.This grazing study estimated animal and economic performance implications ofendophyte-infected fescue and calving season. Establishing novelendophyte-infected tall fescue on 25% of pasture acres resulted in improvedcalving rates (87% vs. 70%), weaning weights (532 lbs vs. 513 lbs), andpartial returns per acre ($257 vs. $217). Additionally, fall-calving cowshad higher calving rates (91% vs. 67%), weaning weights (550 lbs vs. 496lbs), and partial returns per acre ($269 vs. $199) than spring calvingcows.

Keywords

calving ratescalving seasonendophyte-infected tall fescuenovel endophyte-infected tall fescueand partial returns analysisQ10Q15Q19
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 44 , Issue 4 , November 2012 , pp. 577 - 592
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2012

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