Open AccessA new generation ryegrass endophyte - the first results from dairy cows fed AR37
Author(s) -
E. R. Thom,
C. D. Waugh,
E. M. K. Minneé,
G. C. Waghorn
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
grassland research and practice series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2463-4751
pISSN - 0110-8581
DOI - 10.33584/rps.13.2006.3146
Subject(s) - endophyte , dry matter , cow calf , grazing , biology , zoology , herd , dairy cattle , agronomy , milk production , botany
The AR37 endophyte strain in ryegrass produces epoxyjanthitrems but no peramine, lolitrem B or ergovaline, associated with the wild-type (HE) endophyte. An experiment commenced in 2005 to measure dairy cow health and production responses to AR37 in ryegrass. Four herds of 15 cows grazed on each of three endophyte treatments (AR37, AR1, HE and endophytefree (Nil) control) for 12 days in spring 2005 and autumn 2006, and in summer 2006 four groups of 10 cows were fed indoors to accurately assess cow dry matter and alkaloid intakes. Milk yields (kg/cow/day) were similar in spring but in autumn were lower (P