Cattle grazing tall fescue () infected with wild-type endophytes (WE) leads to a syndrome commonly known as fescue toxicosis. Replacing WE tall fescue with a novel endophyte-infected (NE) tall fescue can mitigate this problem but adoption of this technology has been limited. This study measured and determined the physiological and behavioral responses of heifers that grazed either WE or NE tall fescue, utilizing relatively non-invasive techniques including hair cortisol, thermography (for extremity temperatures), small loggers for intravaginal temperature, and remote observation of in-field behavior. Heifers that grazed WE had greater ( < 0.0001) hair cortisol levels, lower extremity temperatures ( ≤ 0.0075), and 0.3-0.9 °C greater ( ≤ 0.02) intravaginal temperatures (particularly during the daytime) than heifers that grazed NE. From 1200 h-1700 h each day, heifers on WE pastures spent 1.5 more ( = 0.0003) hours standing up and 0.9 fewer ( = 0.0402) hours lying down than heifers on NE pastures. Differences ( = 0.0160) in ADG were small (0.1 kg d) and were only observed in the first year of these 8-week studies. However, even in the mild environment of the study site, grazing NE tall fescue provided clear welfare benefits as evidenced by heifer behavioral changes, temperature differentials, and hair cortisol levels. This study underscores the potential utility of non-invasive techniques, such as thermographic imaging and hair cortisol analysis, for evaluating animal responses to stress in extensive grazing systems.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10376091 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13142373 | DOI Listing |
MicroPubl Biol
December 2024
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.
Tall fescue ( ) is a widely adopted forage and turf grass. This is partly due to a fungal endophyte, which confers both abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. Although PCR primers exist to test for endophyte presence, these were not designed to quantitatively analyze the amount of fungus in the plant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
November 2024
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development Bureau, Urumqi 830052, China.
The granite rubble soil produced through excavation during construction is nutrient-poor and has a simplified microbial community, making it difficult for plants to grow and increasing the challenges of ecological restoration. Recent studies have demonstrated that microbial inoculants significantly promote plant growth and are considered a potential factor influencing root development. Microorganisms influence root development either directly or indirectly, forming beneficial symbiotic relationships with plant roots.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysiol Plant
December 2024
College of Grassland Agriculture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, P.R. China.
Hydrogen sulfide (HS) functions as a signaling molecule affecting plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a bioenergy crop, encounters significant challenges in agricultural production owing to low light by shading.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransl Anim Sci
November 2024
Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis, MO, USA 63141-7843.
Winter wheat ( L.) is a significant forage source for livestock grazing in the Southern Great Plains (SGP). However, increasing input costs and changing climate conditions compel producers and researchers to search for alternative forage systems, such as cool-season perennials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Geochem Health
November 2024
University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
Although phytoremediation is more economical when compared with traditional physical and chemical soil remediation methods, it remains very expensive when considering the substantial area of the contaminated field. If the quantity of harvested residues can be reduced after each phytoremediation cycle, the practicability and commercial implementation of this environment friendly method can be improved. In this study, cadmium excretion on the leaf surface of Festuca arundinacea was evaluated under various blue and red light conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!