Demonstrating Conversion of Wildtype to Novel Endophyte Fescue Pastures for Greater Livestock Performance and Better Environmental Outcomes

This award is for Virginia Tech to demonstrate the conversion from wildtype to novel endophyte fescues for the benefit of the grazing livestock, their welfare and environmental outcomes. The overarching objective of this project is to facilitate the incorporation of nontoxic novel endophyte (NE+) technology onto farms and to demonstrate the accompanying changes in animal behavior and performance. The specific objectives of this project are: (1) - Documenting endophyte infection rate and ergot alkaloid levels on six demonstration farm pastures and three or four farms surrounding each demonstration site, (2) - Demonstrating the process of converting toxic tall fescue pastures to nontoxic NE+ tall fescue pastures on five or six demonstration farms, (3) - Measuring improvements in animal performance and changes in animal behavior on pastures converted to nontoxic NE+ tall fescue on demonstration farms, and (4) - Linking changes in animal behavior to positive animal health and environmental outcomes, particularly for stream exclusion practices that will prevent livestock from accessing shade and surface waters for cooling.