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Abstract
Tall fescue toxicosis adversely affects calving rate and weight gains reducing returns to
cow-calf producers in the south–central United States. This grazing study estimated animal
and economic performance implications of endophyte-infected fescue and calving season.
Establishing novel endophyte-infected tall fescue on 25% of pasture acres resulted in improved
calving rates (87% vs. 70%), weaning weights (532 lbs vs. 513 lbs), and partial returns
per acre ($257 vs. $217). Additionally, fall-calving cows had higher calving rates (91% vs.
67%), weaning weights (550 lbs vs. 496 lbs), and partial returns per acre ($269 vs. $199) than
spring calving cows.