Making Genetic Progress in the Fescue Belt

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:38:02 GMT

“In Kentucky and Tennessee, we’ve been fortunate to have some cost-share dollars that have been going into a genetic improvement program that each of the states has done independently,” said Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky extension professor, Lexington. Bullock gave his presentation “Genetic Improvement Programs in the Fescue Belt: Do Incentives Raise the Bar or Just the Price?” during the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium June 11 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Bull cost-share programs

The Kentucky Beef Cattle Genetic Improvement Program and the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, both established in the early 2000s, were designed to assist cattle producers in making genetic progress through bull cost-share initiatives. Bullock explained bulls must meet expected progeny difference (EPD) requirements and be genomically tested to enter the program. Bulls are categorized by their general strengths, including calving ease, terminal production and trait balance. These programs are built on science and technology, including EPDs from various breed associations, genomic data and research from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.

While implementing bull cost-share programs has led to faster genetic progress in cattle, that is not the only goal of the projects. “The educational part is huge,” Bullock explained. “For us to go out and actually educate commercial cattlemen on the best way to buy bulls, as well as other management practices, is a huge aspect of these programs.”

Continued education is a requirement to participate in either program; specifically, sound management practices, such as breeding soundness exams (BSE), Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, vaccination programs and crossbreeding, are encouraged.

Program successes to date

Highlighting some successes of these programs, Bullock touched on behavior changes observed in producers and a comparison between beef genetics in the fescue belt and the national average. Since the start of each initiative, breed associations have seen an increase in data submissions and use of genomic technology by seedstock producers. Commercial producers have gained a better understanding of EPDs and the benefits of genomically enhanced EPDs. Based on data provided by the American Angus Association, cattle in Kentucky and Tennessee are currently better than average for multiple EPDs and important selection indexes. Bullock also pointed out that genomic testing in these regions has significantly increased. While only a small percentage of bulls sold each year in Kentucky and Tennessee go through the cost-share programs, these initiatives are proving to have a significant impact on beef genetics in the region.

To watch Bullock’s full presentation, visit

For more information about this year’s Symposium and the Beef Improvement Federation, including additional presentations and award winners, visit BIFSymposium.com .

New Study Addresses Fescue Toxicosis Through Theraputic 5-HTP

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:38:00 GMT

Fescue toxicosis costs the cattle industry more than a billion dollars each year. Cattle producers will be interested in a new study beginning at the University of Kentucky aimed at the potential of hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) in mitigating fescue toxicosis in beef cattle.

UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment received a $300,000 grant for the research project aimed at the issue affecting beef production, especially in regions dominated by endophyte-infected tall fescue, according to a news release.

Department of Animal and Food Sciences assistant professor Ronald Trotta says fescue toxicosis reduces the weaning weight of nine million U.S. beef calves per year by an average of 50 pounds each.

Fescue toxicosis can cause reduced feed intake, increased vasoconstriction and susceptibility to heat stress, along with compromised gut integrity. This research is especially relevant to Kentucky, where 14 million hectares are covered with this type of fescue affected by ergot alkaloids.

“We will be focusing on the three primary fescue toxicosis symptoms,” Trotta explains. “The ergot alkaloids in fescue bind to specific receptors in blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction. This reduces blood flow to critical areas like the gut, decreasing nutrient absorption and activating the immune system.”

According to the release, the two-year study will evaluate the effectiveness of 5-HTP, a precursor to serotonin, in alleviating these symptoms. Increased serotonin bioavailability is expected to relax blood vessels, improve dry matter intake and reduce immune system activation, thereby counteracting the adverse effects of ergot alkaloids.

Using a multi-faceted approach, integrating nutritional, hormonal and transcriptomic analyses, researchers will examine gene expression in various body parts to understand how 5-HTP influences feed intake, vasoconstriction and gut health.

“We are conducting this study under very controlled conditions, using six animals per treatment group,” Trotta says. “This smaller scale allows for precise monitoring and comprehensive data collection.”

Trotta recently joined Martin-Gatton CAFÉ and shared his enthusiasm about this research’s potential impact.

“This project could offer a novel and effective strategy to mitigate the clinical symptoms of fescue toxicosis, significantly benefiting beef producers in Kentucky and beyond,” he says.

The research outcomes are expected to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of fescue toxicosis and the therapeutic potential of 5-HTP, contributing to improved animal health and agricultural productivity, according to the release.