Low and high endophyte infected stockpiled tall fescue was harvested, chopped and ensiled in 210 liter metal drums, double lined with polyethylene bags. Endophyte infection averaged 4 and 70%, respectively, for the low- and high-endophyte fescue. A metabolism trial was conducted with 24 wethers fed diets consisting of 100% low-endophyte fescue silage, 50% low-endophyte and 50% high-endophyte fescue silage, and 100% high-endophyte fescue silage. Chopped alfalfa hay was used as a control forage. Single samples were analyzed, so statistical treatment of chemical composition was not possible. However, certain numerical differences were recorded. Lignin was higher for the high-endophyte than the low-endophyte fescue. Dry matter, CP, and ash were similar for the fescue silages. The high-endophyte fescue silage was lower in P, Mg, S, K, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Al than the low-endophyte silage. Digestibilities of DM, NDF, and cellulose were higher (P<.01) for fescue silages than alfalfa hay. Level of endophyte infection did not affect digestibility of DM, NDF or cellulose. Among silage treatments, apparent absorption of N, expressed as g/d, showed a linear effect (P<.05), with the lowest value obtained for sheep fed 100% high-endophyte fescue silage. Apparent absorption and retention of Ca were higher for silages than alfalfa. Among the silage diets, apparent absorption of P decreased linearly (P<.01) with increased endophyte level. Apparent absorption of K decreased linearly (P<.01) with increased endophyte level, but the effect was related to intake. Serum prolactin concentrations of the wethers fed fescue silage showed a linear decrease (P<.05) with increased proportion of endophyte-infected fescue. Endophyte infection of fescue appears to affect N and mineral metabolism. / Master of Science
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/52098 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Zylka, Christine A. |
| Contributors | Animal Science |
| Publisher | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | viii, 79 leaves, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
| Relation | OCLC# 19986388 |
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