@article{burns_fisher_pond_2011, title={Flaccidgrass Forage Mass and Canopy Characteristics Related to Steer Digesta Kinetics and Intake}, volume={51}, ISSN={["0011-183X"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2011.05.0284}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={6}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S. and Pond, K. R.}, year={2011}, month={Nov}, pages={2895–2903} } @article{burns_fisher_2011, title={Stocking Strategies as Related to Animal and Pasture Productivity of Endophyte-Free Tall Fescue}, volume={51}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2011.01.0022}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={6}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S.}, year={2011}, month={Nov}, pages={2868–2877} } @article{burns_fisher_2010, title={Eastern Gamagrass Management for Pasture in the Mid-Atlantic Region: I. Animal Performance and Pasture Productivity}, volume={102}, ISSN={["1435-0645"]}, DOI={10.2134/agronj2009.0265}, abstractNote={Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] (EG) is a native, warm‐season perennial grass with potential as pasture for the eastern United States, but its value has not been well studied. The objective of this 4‐yr experiment was to estimate forage mass (FM) for EG that maximizes steer (Bos taurus) performance and pasture productivity. Five treatments (three continuously and two rotationally stocked) were compared with a continuously stocked ‘Coastal’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] control. The three continuously stocked treatments had mean FM (10‐cm stubble) levels of 559 kg ha−1 (Short), 1103 kg ha−1 (Medium), and 1932 kg ha−1 (Tall). Rotational treatments consisted of two subdivisions with steers moved on a 10 to 14 d interval (FM = 1348 kg ha−1) and10 subdivisions with steers moved every 3 to 4 d with a 27 to 36 d regrowth interval (FM = 2061 kg ha−1). The average daily gain (ADG) from the Medium continuously stocked treatment was greatest at 0.90 kg (P = 0.02) and produced similar annual gain per hectare (735 vs. 749 kg ha−1; P = 0.08) as Short. Rotational pastures had greater FM than continuously stocked (1705 vs. 1198 kg ha−1; P = 0.03), but the least ADG (0.67 vs. 0.79 kg; P = < 0.01). Bermudagrass produced less ADG than EG (0.57 vs. 0.79 kg; P < 0.01), but gain per hectare was similar (662 kg ha−1) and stocking rate was greater (10.0 vs. 6.7 head ha−1; P < 0.01). Eastern gamagrass has potential as a special purpose pasture for the region when greater ADG is the goal.}, number={1}, journal={AGRONOMY JOURNAL}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S.}, year={2010}, pages={171–178} } @article{burns_fisher_2010, title={Eastern Gamagrass Management for Pasture in the Mid-Atlantic Region: II. Diet and Canopy Characteristics, and Stand Persistence}, volume={102}, ISSN={["0002-1962"]}, DOI={10.2134/agronj2009.0339}, abstractNote={Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] (EG), a native warm‐season perennial grass, lacks evaluation for use in grazing systems. Our objective was to test EG in a 4‐yr experiment to estimate forage mass (FM) that maximizes steer (Bos taurus) performance and pasture productivity. Pasture canopy characteristics, diet selection by grazing steers, and stand persistence from EG continuously grazed at Short, Medium, and Tall heights and two rotationally stocked treatments were compared with continuously stocked ‘Coastal’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] (BG). The EG had proportionally more green leaf (78.2 vs. 24.5%), less stem (4.4 vs. 45.2%), less heads (0.4 vs. 5.6%), and similar dead tissue (17.0 vs. 24.8%). Plant fractions were similar in proportion among EG treatments. Digestible leaf mass was greater in EG than in BG (P < 0.01; 713 vs. 292 kg ha−1) and dominated the EG canopies with a linear (P < 0.01) increase in leaf mass with increasing FM (194–922 kg ha−1). Diets were similar in IVTOD (738 g kg−1), CP (151 g kg−1), and NDF (654 g kg−1) when continuously stocked but greater (P < 0.01) in IVTOD (791 g kg−1), and least in NDF (624 g kg−1) from the rotation. Stand declined linearly (P = 0.09) with decreasing FM (Tall = 34.5 and Short = 11.7% basal cover) but was similar between the two rotational systems (35.5%). Continuously stocking EG at about 38 cm gave greatest steer daily gain but rotations may prevent declines in stands with some sacrifice in gains.}, number={1}, journal={AGRONOMY JOURNAL}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S.}, year={2010}, pages={179–186} } @article{burns_fisher_2010, title={Intake and Digestibility of Improved Selections of Tall Fescue and Orchardgrass Hays}, volume={50}, ISSN={["0011-183X"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2009.03.0157}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={1}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S.}, year={2010}, pages={419–426} } @article{burns_fisher_2007, title={Dry matter intake and digestibility of 'Coastal', 'Tifton 44', and 'Tifton 85' bermudagrass hays grown in the US upper south}, volume={47}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci06.04.0253}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={2}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S.}, year={2007}, pages={795–810} } @article{burns_fisher_rottinghaus_2006, title={Grazing influences on mass, nutritive value, and persistence of stockpiled Jesup tall fescue without and with novel and wild-type fungal endophytes}, volume={46}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2005.09-0327}, abstractNote={Introducing novel endophytes into tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb.) that produce no ergot alkaloids could prevent negative impacts on animal performance while improving plant persistence. This 3‐yr study evaluated ‘Jesup’ tall fescue (TF) for forage mass, nutritive value, and stand persistence when containing no endophyte, a novel endophyte (no ergot alkaloids), or a wild‐type endophyte (ergot alkaloids). Forage was accumulated from mid‐August and treatments consisted of (i) a grazed control (grazed when growth approximated 10 to 15 cm), or forage accumulated and grazed in (ii) mid‐November, (iii) mid‐December, (iv) mid‐January, and (v) mid‐February. Endophyte status had no influence on total forage mass; forage removed by grazing; proportion of leaf, stem, and dead fractions; or on nutritive value (except ergovaline which was greatest in the wild type). Delaying defoliation linearly reduced forage mass, ergovaline concentration, and nutritive value. All stands of TF declined with losses similar (P= 0.37) for wild‐type and novel stands (29 vs. 42%) but were greatest for the TF without an endophyte (29 vs. 75%;P= 0.01 and 42 vs. 75%;P= 0.04). These data support the use of novel endophytes in TF for animal production and caution against the use of endophyte‐free TF because of decreased stand longevity. The presence of ergovaline can be minimized by stockpiling TF with utilization after late autumn but occurs with a sacrifice in forage mass and nutritive value.}, number={5}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Burns, J. C. and Fisher, D. S. and Rottinghaus, G. E.}, year={2006}, pages={1898–1912} } @article{burns_mayland_fisher_2005, title={Dry matter intake and digestion of alfalfa harvested at sunset and sunrise}, volume={83}, DOI={10.2527/2005.831262x}, abstractNote={The preference exhibited by animals in selecting one feed over another is important only if the preferred diet is consumed daily in larger quantities, digested to a greater extent, or both. Six alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hays were harvested in pairs at sunset (PM) and sunrise (AM) on consecutive days at three harvest dates. A previous study of these hays demonstrated differences in ruminant preference favoring PM harvests. This study evaluated the effects of time of cutting and harvest date on voluntary DMI and nutrient digestibility. The hays were field-cured, baled, and chopped before evaluation for intake and digestibility. Studies were conducted for sheep (Ovis aries), goats (Capra hircus), and cattle (Bos taurus). Goats, but not steers or sheep, demonstrated differences in nutrient digestibility between PM- and AM-cut hays. Goats consumed more PM than AM hay (2.97 vs. 2.83 kg/100 kg of BW; P = 0.07) and digested it to a greater extent (0.710 vs. 0.696; P = 0.03), resulting in greater digestible DMI (2.11 vs. 1.97 kg/100 kg of BW; P = 0.03). Sheep consumed (mean = 2.52 kg/100 kg of BW; P = 0.59) and digested (mean = 0.681; P = 0.25) PM- and AM-cut hays similarly. Steers consumed larger quantities of PM-than AM-cut hay (2.90 vs. 2.62 kg/100 kg of BW; P = 0.11), but digestion did not differ with cutting time (mean = 0.660; P = 0.75). Difference values (composition of fed hay minus composition of orts) indicated that sheep and goats selected from the feed offered similarly, whereas steers selected differently. Difference values for CP averaged 94 and 101 g/kg for goats and sheep and 32 g/kg for steers (P < 0.01), and difference values for NDF averaged 185 and 196 g/kg for goats and sheep and 73 g/kg for steers (P or = 2.8 mm) and an increased proportion of small particles (< or = .5 mm) with advancing forage maturity. More than 94% of the sieved fecal DM passed a 1.0-mm sieve, but particle sizes showed the same relationship with forage maturity as noted for masticate DM. This occurred despite the comminution from the rumination and digestive processes.}, number={5}, journal={Journal of Animal Science}, author={Burns, J. C. and Pond, K. R. and Fisher, D. S. and Luginbuhl, J.-M.}, year={1997}, pages={1368–1379} } @article{buntinx_pond_fisher_burns_1997, title={The utilization of multidimensional scaling to identify forage characteristics associated with preference in sheep}, volume={75}, DOI={10.2527/1997.7561641x}, abstractNote={Forage preference is difficult to assess but is likely an important factor in determining DM intake. In two experiments, six sheep (wethers, Exp. 1; ewes, Exp. 2) were used to obtain preference ratings on nine hays (Exp. 1) or nine fresh forages (Exp. 2). The statistical procedure of multidimensional scaling was used to develop orthogonal dimensions to account for the observed variation in preference for hays and fresh forages. This analysis produced three dimensions that accounted for 54% of the variation in mean 3-d preference for hays (Exp. 1). The three dimensions were subsequently associated by regression analysis with seven compositional variables. These were IVDMD and concentrations of monosaccharides, short-chain polysaccharides (SCP), and disaccharides in dimension 1(R2 = .99); acid detergent insoluble ash (ADIA) concentration, monosaccharide and SCP concentrations, and masticate NDF in dimension 2 (R2 = .99); and disaccharide and starch concentrations in dimension 3 (R2 = .65). Three dimensions accounting for 51% of the variation in fresh forage preference were found and related to four variables by regression analysis. These were disaccharide concentration and median particle size in dimension 1 (R2 = .76) and starch and monosaccharide + disaccharide concentrations in dimension 3 (R2 = .97). No physicochemical variables analyzed in this study were found to be significantly associated with the coordinates for the forages in dimension 2. Multidimensional scaling accounted for more than half the observed variation in animal preference and, in all but one case, these dimensions could be associated with physicochemical characteristics of the forages.}, number={6}, journal={Journal of Animal Science}, author={Buntinx, S. E. and Pond, K. R. and Fisher, D. S. and Burns, J. C.}, year={1997}, pages={1641–1650} } @article{fisher_1996, title={Modeling ruminant feed intake with protein, chemostatic, and distention feedbacks}, volume={74}, DOI={10.2527/1996.74123076x}, abstractNote={Little progress has been made in modeling intake regulation in spite of the many mechanisms identified as important. A model with relatively simple inputs was developed that included compartments for protein, soluble carbohydrate, digestible fiber, and very slowly digesting fiber. Distention and chemostatic feedbacks were combined using a previously published equation. The ratio of current ruminal fill to a modulating parameter for ruminal fill represented distention feedback. The ratio of the current flow of available energy to a modulating parameter for chemostatic demand represented chemostatic feedback. The modulating parameter for ruminal fill was based on literature reports of ruminal contents. Intake was adjusted based on current fill and energy flow relative to modulating parameters for fill and chemostatic feedback. The effect of the digestible organic matter (DOM) to CP ratio on DOM intake was modeled to adjust rates of digestion, rates of passage, and the chemostatic feedback. The model tested an integrated concept of intake regulation with only CP, IVDMD, and NDF as inputs. In spite of relatively simple inputs, the model behavior in response to variation in protein, digestibility, and fiber was similar to observations of animal responses.}, number={12}, journal={Journal of Animal Science}, author={Fisher, D. S.}, year={1996}, pages={3076} } @article{fisher_baumont_1994, title={MODELING THE RATE AND QUANTITY OF FORAGE INTAKE BY RUMINANTS DURING MEALS}, volume={45}, ISSN={["1873-2267"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0308-521X(94)90279-8}, number={1}, journal={AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS}, author={FISHER, DS and BAUMONT, R}, year={1994}, pages={43–53} } @article{fisher_burns_pond_mochrie_timothy_1991, title={Effects of grass species on grazing steers: 1. Diet composition and ingestive mastication}, volume={69}, DOI={10.2527/1991.6931188x}, abstractNote={In traditional grazing trials, per animal and per hectare productivity are determined, but pasture and animal measurements are generally inadequate to address reasons for different treatment responses. This 2-yr study examined the diet and diet characteristics of steers grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum Griseb.), and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) pastures. A randomized complete block design was used with two agronomic replicates. In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) of masticates from tall fescue (TF), switchgrass (SG), and flaccidgrass (FG) generally were similar; all exceeded 70% (70.3 to 79.9%), except for bermudagrass (BG), which was lowest (63.5 to 65.0%). Sieving the masticate DM showed BG to contain the highest proportion (20 to 29%) of particles passing a .5-mm sieve and the lowest proportion (6 to 8%) of particles retained on a 2.8-mm sieve. This resulted in BG having the smallest mean (1.29 mm) and median (1.08 mm) particle sizes in yr 1 and a mean (1.10 mm) and median (.91 mm) particle size smaller than SG in yr 2. Except for BG, the IVDMD of the masticate DM was lowest for small particles. Canopies showed BG and SG to have the highest proportion of stem (47 and 52%, respectively); the BG canopy was composed of fractions that were consistently lowest in IVDMD. In general, BG offered the grazing animal a canopy inferior in IVDMD concentration and had canopy characteristics that limited the animals' selection of a diet with quality as high as that of TF, SG, or FG.}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Animal Science}, author={Fisher, D. S. and Burns, J. C. and Pond, K. R. and Mochrie, R. D. and Timothy, D. H.}, year={1991}, pages={1188} }