MaxQ Jesup Tall Fescue

The
Advantage
News and Information on MaxQ® Tall Fescue
Winter 2007
REVOLUTIONARY NEW FORAGE SOLVES FESCUE TOXICITY PROBLEMS
T
all fescue is the most widely used livestock forage in the eastern half of the U.S. While tall fescue has many desirable
forage traits, it can cause a number of livestock health problems.
This is because most of the fescue in the U.S. contains a fungal endophyte that produces alkaloids which are toxic to many species
of livestock.
Fescue toxicity problems noted in cattle include
long hair coats, intolerance to heat and cold, poor performance
and reduced pregnancy rates (Table 1). On horse farms, mares
grazing toxic fescue pastures have serious reproduction problems
that include prolonged gestation, dystocia, agalactia and abortions. Losses to livestock producers from fescue toxicosis is estimated to be $1 billion annually.
To eliminate toxicity problems, scientists released a number
of tall fescue varieties that were “fungus free.” They quickly discovered the fungal endophyte dwelling within the fescue plant
served a key purpose by giving it added tolerance to drought,
Table 1
Effects of Fescue Toxicity in Cattle
Calving rate reduced up to 37%
Abortion during early pregnancy
Calf deaths up to 20% after birth
Longer breed back time
Grazing time reduced 20-90%
Forage intake reduced 40%
Milk production reduced 37-60%
Weaning weights of calves reduced 14%
Source: Ball, Hoveland, Lacefield, Schmidt, Young
insect pests and grazing pressure as well as improved utilization of
nitrogen fertilizer. Plants containing the endophyte also exhibited increased seedling vigor and enhanced early growth potential.
Fungus free varieties did indeed eliminate livestock health and
production issues, but without the endophyte could not survive
field conditions long term.
In 1997, scientists in New Zealand discovered strains of nontoxic endophytes that allowed for the development of a revolutionary new endophyte infected fescue variety –
Jesup MaxQ®. Developed cooperatively by former University of
Georgia plant breeder Joe Bouton and scientists in New Zealand,
MaxQ eliminates all health and production problems associated
with fescue toxicosis while offering the same plant persistence
and hardiness found in toxic varieties.
Prior to its release to Pennington Seed, Inc. for marketing, MaxQ
underwent extensive research at leading universities throughout the
U.S. to determine plant persistence and hardiness as well as livestock
health and performance (Table 2). John Carpenter, Pennington’s
National Forage Product Sales Manager, says, “University research
and on-farm experience have shown MaxQ is hearty and persistent
with excellent stand survival even under adverse conditions such as
drought and heavy grazing. Most importantly, toxicosis is eliminated.
With MaxQ, cattle producers are seeing higher weight gains, healthier
cattle, increased productivity and greater profits.”
Cattle suffering from fescue toxicity spend excessive time
in shade and water attempting to stay cool.
Table 2
Effect of Fescue Endophyte on Stocker Cattle Gain
University of Georgia - 1999-2002
Autumn
MaxQ
(non-toxic)
Toxic Fescue
MaxQ®
Advantage
Fall
MaxQ
(non-toxic)
Toxic Fescue
MaxQ®
Advantage
ADG (lbs)
1.8
Gain/A (lbs)
181
1.06
+.74
130
+51
1.66
312
.88
+.78
150
+162
MAXQ® DOESN’T COST - IT PAY$
I
nput versus return is a basic economic principle that
determines profitability of every business enterprise. Simply stated, will the cost of a specific input,
i.e. investment or management change, result in a return greater than the cost of the input?
With each new product or technology introduced,
farmers must analyze the economic benefit. Such is the
case with Pennington’s new non-toxic Jesup MaxQ®
tall fescue. With a seed cost difference of $55 per acre
when compared to Ky 31 and with renovation costs of
converting toxic fescue pastures to MaxQ approaching
$150-$200 per acre, is MaxQ an economical invest-
ment?
Research and economic studies at several major universities have indeed proven MaxQ to be a profitable investment. A study at the University of Arkansas reported gain
per acre to be 74 lbs. more in the fall and 292 lbs. more in
the spring for stocker cattle grazing non-toxic varieties of
Table 1
Effect of Fescue Endophyte on Stocker Gain
University of Arkansas - 2003-2005
Autumn
Non-Toxic
Fescue
Toxic Fescue
MaxQ
Advantage
Spring
Non-Toxic
Fescue
Toxic Fescue
MaxQ
Advantage
Gain/A (lbs)
252
*$ Value
$222
178
+74
$157
+$65
575
$506
283
+292
$249
+$257
fescue like MaxQ versus those grazing toxic Ky 31. This
resulted in over a $250 greater return per acre (Table 1).
Profit differences during the two-year study ranged from
$145 to $190 per acre more for non-toxic fescue.
In a three year University of Georgia study, 200 day
adjusted weaning weights for calves average 55 lbs. greater for cow/calf pairs maintained on MaxQ versus those
kept on toxic fescue pastures. In addition, mama cows
on MaxQ pastures averaged weighing 65 lbs. heavier at
calf weaning time and had body condition scores approximately 1 point higher than those on toxic fescue pastures.
Studies at numerous agricultural institutions across
the U.S. have shown like results proving that “MaxQ
Doesn’t Cost – It Pays”.
Table 2
Effect of Fescue Endophyte on Weaning Weights - UGA, 2000-2002
Variety
MaxQ (non-toxic)
Toxic Fescue
MaxQ Advantage
*Prorated Seed 200 day adj ww (lbs) **Sales Receipts/hd
Steers
Heifers Steers
Heifers
Cost/Acre
$12.00
575
525
$575
$472
$3.75
509
481
$509
$433
(-$8.25)
+66
+44
+$66
+$39
*Prorated for 10 years at a seeding rate of 20 lbs./A; MaxQ seed cost of $4/lb. and KY31 seed cost of $1.25/lb.
1.5 acres/cow calf pair
**Based on sales price of $100/CWT for steers and $90/CWT for heifers
DOUBLE STOCKER GAINS & INCREASE PROFITS WITH NON-TOXIC MAXQ® FESCUE
S
tockering beef calves on forage is a popular method 2, the number of grazing days for fescue was 35% greater
farmers use to add value prior to marketing and/or gain (+26 days) than small grains in the fall and early winter and
before placing cattle in the feedlot. While this can be ac- double (+57 days) in the spring. This led to similar gains
per acre with both systems in the
complished with a variety of forage
fall, but twice the gain per acre in
systems, research at the University
the spring with the fescue.
of Arkansas strongly suggests the
In terms of economics, the immost economical system is one utiproved gains and longer grazing
lizing a novel endophyte variety of
periods combined to give novel
fescue such as MaxQ®.
endophyte fescue a decided ecoWhen compared to toxic fescue
nomic advantage (See Table 3).
varieties such as Ky 31, novel enBecause fescue is a perennial fordophyte fescue offers the same high
age, prorated establishment costs
forage yields and stand persistence,
but contains no toxins that retard growth of growing live- are considerably cheaper than planting annual forages every
stock. As a result, stocker gains are significantly improved, year. Also, there is a greater exposure to risk with annuals
as they depend heavily
often doubling those of
on favorable fall weather
stockers grazing toxic fesTable 1
to become established. As
cue. (See Table 1).
Effects of Forage on Steer Performance
illustrated in Table 2, an
The Arkansas study
Batesville, Arkansas • Spring 2004
established fescue pasture
also illustrated the advanNovel Endophyte Toxic KY-31 Fescue
allows fall grazing to begin
tage a fescue based forage
Fescue
much earlier. These factors
system has for stockering
further add to the attracprograms over an annual Grazing Dates March 17 to July 8 March 17 to July 8
tiveness of novel endosmall grain system by proADG lbs
2.03
1.00
phyte fescue as a premier
viding more total grazing University of Arkansas Livestock and Forestry Branch Station
forage for stocker cattle.
days. As shown in Table
Table 2
Grazing Days - Fescue vs. Small Grains
Batesville, Arkansas
Fall 2003
Novel Endophyte
Wheat/
Fescue
Wintergrazer 70
Grazing Dates
Sept. 16 - Dec. 23
Nov. 11 - Jan. 23
Grazing Days
98
72
Total Gain (lbs/A)
252
256
Spring 2004
Novel Endophyte
Wheat/
Fescue
Wintergrazer 70
March 17 - July 8
March 17 - May 12
113
56
575
261
University of Arkansas Livestock & Forestry Branch Station
Table 3
Effects of Forage on Stocker Profits
Batesville, Arkansas • 2003-2005 • Dr. Paul Beck, et. al.
Novel Endophyte
Fescue
2003 - 2004
2004 - 2005
147.61
44.18
Toxic KY-31
Fescue
Profit ($/A)
5.08
(-140.07)
University of Arkansas Livestock & Forestry Branch Station
Wheat/
Wintergrazer 70
1.44
(-81.13)
TOXIC FESCUE ROBS GENETIC POTENTIAL
W
hen it comes to choosing breeding bulls and replacement tained on non-toxic MaxQ pastures weaned steer calves that averaged
seedstock, top cattle producers want to find the best genet- 62 lbs./head/year more and heifer calves that averaged 44 lbs./head/
ics available. This usually means devoting a great amount of time
year more than calves from cows grazto studying, searching, traveling and
ing toxic fescue pastures. The genetmost likely spending extra money to
ics of the two groups were essentially
obtain cattle that will enhance the
the same. The only difference was the
productivity of the operation. All
quality of the forage!
too often, the same producer who
While improving animal genetics
devotes so much time, energy and
is important, this study strongly emmoney investing in top genetics will
phasizes it is equally or more importhen place these superior cattle on
tant to invest some dollars in pasture
poor quality or toxic pastures where
forage improvement. If a certain bull
their genetic potential cannot be
could deliver an extra 40 lbs. on evcaptured.
ery calf weaned, a producer would no
No where is this more evident
doubt be willing to invest thousands
Toxic fescue can prevent cattle producers from
than with cattle being maintained
of dollars to obtain his genetics.
on toxic fescue pastures. A study was capturing all the genetic performance potential in
It makes little sense to invest heavinitiated at the Northwest Georgia
ily
in
improved animal genetics if the
their cow herds.
Branch Experiment Station in Calpasture forage system doesn’t allow
houn, GA to compare performance
those genetics to express themselves.
MaxQ vs. Toxic Fescue
of cows and calves maintained on nonCattle experts will agree - a key component
Cow-Calf Performance
toxic and toxic endophyte infected fescue
of any cattle management system is proCalhoun, GA
pastures. In the study, cow/calf pairs were
viding adequate amounts of high quality,
split into two even numbered groups. In
non-toxic pasture forage. Producers wantMaxQ® Advantage
early April, one group was placed on a toxing to capture the full genetic potential of
Steers: +62 lbs./head
ic fescue pasture and the second group on
their cattle will wisely invest some time and
®
a non-toxic Jesup MaxQ fescue pasture.
money into providing and maintaining
Heifers: +44 lbs./head
Both groups remained on their respective
productive, high quality pastures.
pastures through calf weaning time in late Three year summary; 44 steers and
August.
52 heifers/group
Over a three year period, cows main- Watson, et.al., 2004
HERE’S WHAT CATTLEMEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE MAXQ® ADVANTAGE...
STUDIES SHOW MAXQ® TALL FESCUE SAFE FOR BROOD MARES
F
escue toxicity in brood mares is widely known and documented.
Detrimental effects include prolonged gestation, foaling difficulty,
weak or dead foals, thickened placenta, agalactia and reduced conception. The release of Pennington Seed’s Jesup MaxQ® now offers horse
owners a safe and persistent tall fescue for all classes of horses. In
studies at Mississippi State University, no breeding or foaling problems
were observed with brood mares grazing MaxQ (See tables 1 & 2).
This led the researchers to conclude “there is minimal or no health risk
to pregnant mares grazing non-toxic, endophyte-infected tall fescue
(MaxQ).”
Table 1
Table 2
Foaling Results
Mississippi State University
Year
MaxQ®
Toxic Fescue*
2000
100% NP**
40% NP
20% Abort
60% Retained Placenta
80% No Milk
2001
100% NP
33% NP
33% Retained Placenta
83% No Milk
*Mares treated with Equidone
**NP=No Problems
P. Ryan, B. Rude, et.al. - MSU
Early Embryonic Death in Mares Grazing
Toxic & Non-Toxic Fescue
Toxic Fescue
Mare #
1st Exposure Breeding Success
Pregnancies lost by
day 120
Pregnancies past
day 120
MaxQ®
8
8
4
6
3
0
62.5%
100%
D.L. Christiansen, R. Hopper, et.al. - MSU & UGA
PLANTING & MANAGEMENT INFORMATION FOR MAXQ® TALL FESCUE
Jesup with MaxQ® Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea shreb.
Type: Cool season perennial grass
Adaptation: Grows well where KY 31 is grown. Best adapted to clay or clay loam soils. Tolerant
to soil acidity and poor drainage, but performs best on soils with good water holding capacity and a
pH of 6.0-6.5. Not suited to drought prone, sandy soils.
Uses: MaxQ® enhanced tall fescue provides excellent permanent pastures for cattle, sheep, horses
and other grazing livestock. May be cut for hay in the early boot stage. Highest productivity is
from September-December and March-June.
Planting:
Where to Plant:
Adapted to
Some Sites
Adapted
For best results, all toxic fescue should be killed before trying to establish a stand of fescue with MaxQ®. Plant on a smooth, firm
seedbed. Can be drilled into prepared firm seedbed, no-till drilled into sod or broadcast and packed in. Place seed at a depth of
1/4” to 1/2” .
Rate: 20 lbs./acre in prepared seedbed and 25 lbs./acre sod-seeded in stubble.
Dates: Southeastern states: Sept. 1 to Nov. 1; Mid-South, Midwest and Northeastern states: Aug. 15 to Oct. 1 or spring planted in
March and April
Management:
Do not graze or cut seedling stand until it reaches 6” - 8” in height. Use light rotational grazing in the first year and never graze or
cut closer than 2”. During periods of heat and drought stress, rotate cattle more frequently.
The Max
MaxQ
Q® Advantage...
Excellent Performance, Persistence & Profit Maker
Desired Trait
Jesup MaxQ®
Toxic Fescue
Fungus Free Fescue
Stand Persistence
Grazing Tolerance
Drought Tolerance
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent!
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Poor
Poor
Poor
Fair
Poor*
Fair
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Cattle Performance
Equine Performance
Animal grazing preference
Hay production
*Not recommended for pregnant mares
Why Wait - Put the Max
MaxQ
Q® Advantage to Work on Your Farm Today!
P.O. Box 290
Madison, GA 30650
Get the MaxQ Advantage!
See inside for details.