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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Lexington, Kentucky » Forage-animal Production Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291854
Title: Effect of fescue toxicosis on nitrogen and energy balance in Holstein steers

Author
item KOONTZ, ANNE - University Of Kentucky
item KIM, DO - University Of Kentucky
item FOOTE, ANDREW - University Of Kentucky
item BUSH, LOWELL - University Of Kentucky
item Klotz, James
item MCLEOD, KYLE - University Of Kentucky
item HARMON, DAVID - University Of Kentucky

Submitted to: Symposium on Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2013
Publication Date: 9/9/2013
Citation: Koontz, A.F., Kim, D.H., Foote, A.P., Bush, L.P., Klotz, J.L., Mcleod, K.R., Harmon, D.L. 2013. Effect of fescue toxicosis on nitrogen and energy balance in Holstein steers. In: Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition in Sustainable Animal Production. 134:67-68.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Animals consuming infected fescue exhibit reduced weight gain and feed intake, with the most severe effects occurring during summer months. Heat stress and plane of nutrition have independent effects on metabolic activity (Birkelo, et al., 1991; O’Brien, et al., 2010). While, ergot alkaloids reduce blood flow to and nutrient absorption from the rumen (Foote, et al., 2012). This research was designed to separate the effects of alkaloid consumption from those of reduced intake and environmental temperature.