@article{shymanovich_crowley_ingram_steen_panaccione_young_watson_poore_2020, title={Endophytes matter: Variation of dung beetle performance across different endophyte-infected tall fescue cultivars}, volume={152}, ISSN={["1873-0272"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.apsoil.2020.103561}, abstractNote={Traditional tall fescue cultivar, Kentucky 31, possesses a wild-type endophyte strain that produces several bioactive compounds including the ergot alkaloid, ergovaline, known to cause cattle toxicity and effects on insects. Novel cultivars, BarOptima PLUS E34, Jesup MaxQ, and Texoma MaxQ II, possess different endophyte strains that do not have negative effects on cattle but still protect from insect grazing. Our study investigated if different cultivars have different effects on insect dung decomposers such as dung beetles and determined if ergovaline could be detected in cow dung. Ergovaline at 0.04 and 0.27 μg/g was detected only from Kentucky 31 dung samples from 2017 and 2018 collections, respectively. From the 2017 dung collection, we tested Onthophagus taurus oviposition substrate preferences for each cultivar versus dung from uninfected pasture and also larval survival and development for each dung-type. From the 2018 dung collection, O. taurus and Digitonthophagus gazella oviposition substrate preferences, larval survival and development were tested for Texoma MaxQ II versus Kentucky 31 dung-types. Among the four cultivars, for making brood-balls O. taurus preferred dung from Texoma MaxQ II while dung from Kentucky 31 and BarOptima PLUS E34 were avoided. Both beetle species preferred dung from Texoma MaxQ II versus Kentucky 31 pasture. Larval survival was not affected by dung-type with the 2017 samples. However, with the 2018 samples both beetle species had reduced larval survival on Kentucky 31 than on Texoma MaxQ II brood-balls. Development time for O. taurus was shorter for larvae from Texoma MaxQ II versus Kentucky 31 or uninfected dung brood-balls. Adult mass was not affected in the 2017 collection but was reduced in 2018 Kentucky 31 samples when compared with Texoma MaxQ II. Finally, dung beetles can differentiate dung from pastures with different tall fescue cultivars. Novel cultivar, Texoma MaxQ II, provides more benefits for dung beetles. Pasture renovations with Texoma MaxQ II may improve pasture ecology by enhancing dung beetle populations.}, journal={APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY}, author={Shymanovich, Tatsiana and Crowley, Grace and Ingram, Sammuel and Steen, Chey and Panaccione, Daniel G. and Young, Carolyn A. and Watson, Wes and Poore, Matt}, year={2020}, month={Aug} } @article{rogers_poore_ingram_harmon_2019, title={On-farm demonstrations improve producer understanding of using metsulfuron for tall fescue seedhead suppression.}, volume={97}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz053.011}, abstractNote={Abstract In 2018, a series of 4 on-farm demonstrations were conducted using a metsulfuron herbicide for tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) seedhead suppression to increase producer awareness of this practice. Chaparral© herbicide was applied prior to the boot stage (April 5–April 21, 2018) and the design was an unreplicated field with side by side treated and untreated areas. Forage samples were taken to determine yield, nutritive value, species composition and ergovaline level. Treatment with Chaparral© increased crude protein (12.1 vs. 14.2%) while reducing yield (5477 vs. 3738 kg/ha) and tall fescue seedhead proportion (42.8 vs. 25.4%) (P < 0.05). Total digestible nutrients tended to be higher (57.2 vs 59.2%, P = 0.08) and ergovaline level tended to be lower (901 vs. 491 ppb, P = 0.11) with treatment. Workshops were held to report the demonstration results. Total workshop registration was 147 with 91 evaluations completed. Participants were 78% male and 22% female with 65% being over the age 50. The pasture hectares grazed by participants was 4253 with 1415 ha as hay. Attendee’s livestock inventories were 6357 beef cattle, 105 sheep, 66 goats and 70 horses. Post-workshop evaluation indicated that 100% of attendees increased understanding of fescue toxicosis, management strategies to reduce fescue toxicity and of using metsulfuron for seedhead suppression. Evaluations completed at the conclusion of each workshop (n = 90) indicated satisfaction with (scale of 1 = not satisfied to 4 = very satisfied, mean ± SD): instructors’ knowledge (3.86 ± 0.34), workshop environment/format (3.83 ± 0.37), and overall quality (3.82 ± 0.41). One hundred percent indicated that this workshop met their expectations and they would recommend it to others. Producer interest and responses indicate that on farm demonstrations are an effective method for education of new production practices}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Rogers, Johnny R. and Poore, Matthew H. and Ingram, Sam and Harmon, Deidre}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={5–6} } @article{ingram_poore_poole_2019, title={Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue pastures for profitability, animal performance, and soil health.}, volume={97}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz053.084}, abstractNote={Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (TF) pastures to non-toxic infected tall fescue (NE) for profitability, animal and agronomic performance without compromising soil health is needed to transition to NE in the southeast U.S. Three renovation strategies were evaluated for impact on soil health, profitability, and animal and agronomic performance in a replicated field trial located in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Soil samples were taken prior to renovation to establish baseline soil health measurements for each strategy. Data were analyzed using proc GLM of SAS v9.4. Thirty-two Angus and Angus cross steers (initial BW 425 ± 27) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of four treatments during the first season of renovation. Average daily gain for cattle grazing the first season of cover crops was greatest (P < 0.001) with 3-CM (0.8 kg/d), 3-SM (0.8 kg/d), in comparison to C and 1-SM (-0.1 kg/d). Gain per hectare differed among treatments (P < 0.001) with 3-SM and 3-CM being greater than C and 1-SM (179, 154, -24, -43 kg/ha, respectively). Within the two-month grazing period, yield different during the month of August (P < 0.001), with 3-SM being the highest (4511 kg/ha) in comparison to 3-CM (3275 kg/ha), 1-SM (2922 kg/ha), and C (2644 kg/ha), while yield was highest (P < 0.001) for 3-CM in September (2931 kg/ha) in comparison to all other treatments. Data suggests agronomic and animal performance for 3-CM and 3-SM were improved compared to C and could partially alleviate initial renovation costs.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Ingram, Sam and Poore, Matthew H. and Poole, Daniel H.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={37–38} } @article{ingram_poore_poole_2019, title={Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue pastures for profitability, animal performance, and soil health.}, volume={97}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/skz053.044}, abstractNote={Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (TF) pastures to non-toxic infected tall fescue (NE) for profitability, animal and agronomic performance without compromising soil health is needed to transition to NE in the southeast U.S. Three renovation strategies were evaluated for impact on soil health, profitability, and animal and agronomic performance in a replicated field trial located in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Soil samples were taken prior to renovation to establish baseline soil health measurements for each strategy. Data were analyzed using proc GLM of SAS v9.4. Thirty-two Angus and Angus cross steers (initial BW 425 ± 27) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to one of four treatments during the first season of renovation. Average daily gain for cattle grazing the first season of cover crops was greatest (P < 0.001) with 3-CM (0.8 kg/d), 3-SM (0.8 kg/d), in comparison to C and 1-SM (-0.1 kg/d). Gain per hectare differed among treatments (P < 0.001) with 3-SM and 3-CM being greater than C and 1-SM (179, 154, -24, -43 kg/ha, respectively). Within the two-month grazing period, yield different during the month of August (P < 0.001), with 3-SM being the highest (4511 kg/ha) in comparison to 3-CM (3275 kg/ha), 1-SM (2922 kg/ha), and C (2644 kg/ha), while yield was highest (P <0.001) for 3-CM in September (2931 kg/ha) in comparison to all other treatments. Data suggest agronomic and animal performance for 3-CM and 3-SM were improved compared to C and could partially alleviate initial renovation costs.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Ingram, Sam and Poore, Matthew H. and Poole, Daniel H.}, year={2019}, month={Jul}, pages={20–20} } @article{ingram_poore_2018, title={Comparison of a Full Season and Early Maturing Forage Sorghum Silage to Corn Silage for Growing Cattle.}, volume={96}, ISSN={["1525-3163"]}, DOI={10.1093/jas/sky027.058}, abstractNote={Brachytic dwarf brown mid-rib forage sorghum varieties are an alternative to corn silage (CS) in certain production systems. Agronomic characteristics, cattle performance and carcass data were collected during this project. Full season forage sorghum (FS,110–115 days), early maturing forage sorghum (ES, 85–89 days), and a full season CS were grown and harvested in a replicated field trial in Bahama, NC. Overall mean yield (kg DM/ha) did not differ (P < 0.12; 6772 kg/ha). Silages contained 30.9, 27.5, 28.3% DM for CS, FS and ES, 68.5, 63.5, 64.7 TDN (% of DM); and 9.6, 8.2, 8.7% CP, respectively. Sixty-six Angus and Angus cross steers (initial BW 329 ± 35 kg) were penned by BW and randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Steers were individually fed ad libitum utilizing Calan gates for a 77-d growing period and a 88-day finishing period. Diets were formulated to 14% CP and were 75% CS, FS or ES and 25% concentrate (DM basis) during growing and 15% CS and 85% concentrate (DM basis) during finishing. Cattle were harvested in Pennsylvania and carcass data were collected. During the growing period, DMI and ADG for the growing period differed among treatments (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) with intake and gain being greatest (9.85 kg/d; 1.95 kg/d) for CS with no difference between FS (8.51kg/d; 1.46 kg/d) and ES (8.69 kg/d; 1.50 kg/d). During finishing, ADG was higher (P < 0.02) for FS (1.80 kg) and ES (1.86 kg) compared to CS (1.66 kg) while finishing DMI did not differ (P < 0.78; 12.10 kg). Feed:gain during the growing period differed (P < 0.01) with CS (4.83) being more efficient than FS (5.90) and ES (6.02). Feed:gain during finishing was lower (P < 0.05) for FS (6.80) and ES (6.65) compared to CS (7.27). Loin eye area did not differ (P < 0.41; 90.3 cm2), but quality grade (17 = low choice and 18 = mid choice) differed (P < 0.03) between CS (18.24) and ES (17.39), but not between CS and FS (17.83, P < 0.17). Brachytic dwarf brown mid-rib forage sorghum silages limited animal performance during the growing period but steers compensated during the finishing period.}, journal={JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Ingram, S. and Poore, M.}, year={2018}, month={Mar}, pages={31–31} }