Endo-Fighter is a critical part of a year-round range-feeding program designed to counter the toxic effects of the fescue fungus. Endo-Fighter is a critical component of forage management when fescue is the base forage. Endo-Fighter is comprised of a patent-pending combination of four complementary functions specifically selected and research-proven to support production of cattle on infected fescue forage.

Performance limitations and reproductive problems plague cattle on fescue
Tall fescue is the most widely grown pasture grass in the US, with over 35 million acres in fescue. Performance of cattle grazing fescue is anticipated to be relatively good based on forage quality tests. Unfortunately, performance limitations and reproductive problems have plagued animals grazing fescue for years, resulting in millions of dollars in lost animal performance yearly. Problems typically encountered when grazing fescue include:

• Light calf weaning weights

• Reduced gain in grazing steers and heifers

• Reduced milk production

• Reproductive problems

Production Losses
It is estimated that more than 80% of all fescue in the US is infected with an endophytic fungus, which is responsible for poor livestock performance.

Gains:

• Gains of grazing steers and replacement heifers are dramatically reduced by the presence of the endophyte fungus. In research studies comparing cattle consuming endophyte-infected fescue pasture or hay compared to cattle fed low-endophyte forage, daily gains were reduced by up to 50%.

• Nursing calves also gain slower, resulting in lighter weaning weights. Nursing calves from dams consuming high endophyte-infected fescue were an average 72 lb lighter at weaning compared to calves whose dams were fed low endophyte-infected fescue.

Reproductive Performance:

• Cows grazing endophyte-infected fescue lose weight and have lower pregnancy rates.

Endo-Fighter Research
Considerable research by ADM Alliance Nutrition has resulted in the development of a nutritional supplement that counters the negative effects of the fescue fungus on production. Research has shown Endo-Fighter attacks the problem with a patent-pending combination of four complementary functions:

• Believed to have a positive effect on combating toxins

• Helps dissipate heat

• Supports proper rumen function

• Provides immune system support

Research and field results from the use of MasterGain Endo-Fighter Range Minerals have yielded positive results.

Gains: Research trials confirmed cows and calves consuming MasterGain Endo-Fighter Range Minerals gained more weight than controls (Table 1).
 

Table 1 Gains of Cattle on Endophyte-Infected Fescue Fed Endo-Fighter Versus Control
	Control	Endo-Fighter
Cow Data
Starting wt., lb	1351	1276
Ending wt., lb	1397	1381
Wt change, lb	46	105
ADG, lb	0.36	0.81
Calf Data
Starting wt., lb	342	388
Ending  wt., lb	618	687
Wt. change, lb	276	299
ADG, lb	2.53	2.74
Source: ADM Alliance Nutrition research trial BO5301.

Heat Stress: Consistently lower body temperatures were also documented in cattle consuming MasterGain Endo-Fighter Range Minerals when maintained in closely controlled fescue toxicity conditions. In comparison to another fescue product, increases in body temperature were 40% less when cattle were fed MasterGain Endo-Fighter Range Minerals. Result: Cattle fed MasterGain Endo-Fighter Range Minerals are better able to handle heat stress associated with fescue toxicity.

Endo-Fighter is available in MasterGain® Range Minerals with WeatherMaster products.

Endo-Fighter . . . . It’s a combination of research and technology at work! To view the Endo-Fighter Technical Bulletin, click on the link: MasterGain Endo-Fighter Minerals

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