Broiler chickens with free-range access often show low use of the outdoor space and providing access to a silvopasture (intentional integration of vegetation and animal production) may increase range use. The study aim was to evaluate the effect of pasture system (silvopasture; open grass pasture) on range use in fast-growing broiler chickens. Fifty-three or 54 birds per experimental unit in two experiments were provided access to 125m2 silvopasture plots (x̄ 32% canopy cover) or open grass pasture plots (no canopy cover) from day 24 of age. Plot-level range use (% of the flock outside) was assessed from photographs for 16 days in Experiment 1 and 18 days in Experiment 2. In Experiment 2, live observations of range use were performed on days 29, 30, 34, 35, 40, and 41. We used generalized linear mixed models to predict broiler ranging activity at different times of day (morning, midday, afternoon) as a function of average daily temperature, bird age, and pasture treatment. Younger birds were more likely to range on cold days, while older birds ranged more on warm days, consistent across live observations and photographs. Live observations showed more birds in silvopastures than open pastures, whereas photographs indicated the opposite. Bird counts may be underestimated in the photos, due to visual obstruction by vegetation, especially in the silvopastures. The contrasting outcomes highlight that the choice of sampling method strongly influences conclusions about range use. Consistent across photographs and live observations, range use followed a diurnal rhythm, with highest use in mornings and afternoons. Overall, silvopasture provided age- and temperature-dependent benefits for broiler chickens, highlighting the importance of giving birds the choice to range outdoors or remain indoors.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an ancient crop used throughout history for fiber, oilseed, and therapeutic compounds. Hemp varieties were cultivated across diverse environments in the United States, but knowledge of those agronomic practices along with genetic resources was lost during a period in which cultivation of cannabis was prohibited. Therefore, regional performance evaluations of hemp varieties for crop performance coupled with scientific communication of outcomes to the public are crucial for hemp's development as an agricultural commodity. Objectives for this research were to evaluate relative yields of industrial hemp varieties grown across the United States and link their suitability for commercial production across locations. A national collaboration established variety trials containing seven industrial hemp varieties planted across 14 locations (36 degrees-48 degrees N latitude and 72 degrees-110 degrees W longitude) over a 3-year period. Crop dry straw yield and seed yield increased from the averages of 1600 and 700 kg ha-1 in Year 1 to 2400 and 1150 kg ha-1 in Year 2, and 3050 and 815 kg ha-1 in Year 3, respectively. The varieties Anka and X-59 performed best in Vermont and Virginia, where seed yields consistently exceeded 1100 kg ha-1; however, no single variety performed above average across all sites. Overall, this assessment identified two industrial hemp varieties suitable for commercial production in specific sites and highlighted the importance for hemp breeders to investigate variety x location x year interactions when developing improved varieties to best capture site-specific productivity.

Records from 2012 to 2019 for two herds were analyzed to determine how tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumont) endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum) status affected the productivity of spring-calving cows and calves. Pastures either contained tall fescue with wildtype endophyte (high levels of ergot alkaloids) or novel- or endophyte-free tall fescue (largely ergot alkaloid free). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with year as the replication unit. Forage samples from the farm with toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue contained 1136 ± 413 ppb total ergot alkaloids, while forage from the non-toxic pastures on the second farm contained 118 ± 83 ppb total ergot alkaloids. Artificial insemination pregnancy rates and calving rates were greater (p < 0.05) for cows that grazed non-toxic tall fescue (51.2 ± 2.8% and 93.5 ± 1.4%, respectively) than for cows on toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (43.3 ± 2.8% and 88.8 ± 1.4%, respectively). Birth weights and weaning weights were greater (p < 0.05) for calves from the non-toxic tall fescue system (37 ± 1 kg and 278 ± 8 kg, respectively) than for calves from the toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue system (33 ± 1 kg and 254 ± 8 kg, respectively). Raising cattle on tall fescue without the toxic endophyte improved cow and calf productivity.

Condensed tannins (CTs) in certain leguminous forages can mitigate toxic alkaloid absorption linked to fescue toxicosis due to their high affinity towards various steroidal and protein-like alkaloids. However, their use as feed supplements remains underexplored. This study evaluated the impact of CT-rich sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) pellets on the post-ingestive effects of fescue toxicosis. Twelve steers on wild-type endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures received either sericea lespedeza pellets (LES) or LES with polyethylene glycol (LPEG; negative control) for 12 weeks over three consecutive summers. Body weight, hair coat scores, temperatures (rectal and extremity), cortisol levels, and caudal artery lumen area were measured every four weeks. Steers fed LES showed trends toward higher ADG (p = 0.0999) and reduced hair retention (p = 0.0547) compared to those fed LPEG. Steers on LES also showed hotter tail skin temperatures (p = 0.0053) and cooler rectal temperatures (p < 0.0001) compared to those fed LPEG. LES-fed steers had a 21% larger caudal artery lumen area (p < 0.01), suggesting reduced vasoconstriction. Additionally, LES-fed steers tended to have lower hair cortisol (p = 0.0746), indicating reduced chronic stress. These results suggest that supplementation with CTs may alleviate the post-ingestive effects of fescue toxicosis, potentially by improving blood flow and reducing stress. However, further research is needed to determine whether CTs directly reduce alkaloid absorption, as well as to validate the long-term efficacy of CT supplementation.

Silvopasture is an intentional integration of trees, livestock, and forages within a common land management unit. Despite the significant potential opportunity, silvopasture is not widely adopted by landowners in the mid-Atlantic U.S.A. Limited information exists on silvopasture establishment and its overall management in a real farming context. These case studies were conducted to observe and document various establishment and management approaches for silvopasture among early adopters in Virginia to provide practical information to other producers interested in developing these systems. A questionnaire was developed and four producers in different physiographic regions of Virginia were interviewed. All the producers interviewed manage beef cattle operations. A common motivation behind silvopasture adoption was the opportunity to utilize the shade within the system for livestock health and welfare benefits. In cases where silvopastures were thinned from existing timber stands, the ability to expand grazable land was also a strong motivator. Producers utilized different methods for establishing and managing silvopasture based on their available resources and expertise. Climate change was not a consideration for any producers interviewed in their decision to create or manage silvopasture on their farm. Limited access to information and resources on silvopasture during the early adoption stage was a common experience for all interviewees. Each participant felt that silvopasture has great aesthetic value and can increase biodiversity within the farm. All producers interviewed were interested in expanding the silvopasture land area on their farm but also described various constraints that may hinder their ability to do so.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) holds promise as a crop for more sustainable supply chains given its potential as a source of high-strength fibers, adsorbents, and nutrient-dense feedstuffs. Developing nutrient management guidelines for hemp will be an important part of optimizing the crop’s sustainability attributes. This study measured hemp seed yield in response to N fertilization rate (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1). Treatments were tested with four hemp cultivars (‘Joey’ and ‘Grandi’ in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and ‘NWG 2463’ and ‘NWG 4113’ in 2023) in Virginia. Nitrogen input influenced (p ≤ 0.0177) seed yield in all four experimental years, although the pattern of response varied substantially. In 2020, following delayed seeding, hemp showed a weak quadratic (p = 0.0113) response to N inputs, with peak yield (1640 kg ha−1) occurring with 120 kg N ha−1. In 2021, hemp displayed a strong linear (p < 0.0001) response to N inputs, with the highest seed yield (2510 kg ha−1) at 240 kg N ha−1. In 2022, a season characterized by low precipitation and high weed pressure, a weak, linear (p = 0.0111) response to the N rate was observed. The greatest seed yield (380 kg ha−1) was again observed with 240 kg N ha−1. In 2023, weed pressure remained an issue, but the response to N was strong and linear (p < 0.0001), with the greatest seed yield (831 kg ha−1) again measured at 240 kg N ha−1. These findings indicate hemp can be quite responsive to N inputs but that the magnitude of response is sensitive to other factors such as available soil moisture, weed pressure, and growing period.

Cellulosic biomass-to-bioenergy systems provide fuel, reduce emissions, and offer economic benefits. Corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residues could be used as feedstocks for biofuel production. However, the impact of residue removal on crop productivity in the Mid-Atlantic region has not been thoroughly assessed. A trial was conducted to assess crop yield and quality response to different biomass retention rates in grain cropping systems during 2015-2017. Various combinations of corn stover (0-10 Mg ha-1) and wheat straw (0-3 Mg ha-1) were applied in a corn-wheat/soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation in New Kent, VA. In Blacksburg, VA, corn stover (0-20 Mg ha-1) was applied in the continuous corn system. Residues were applied after grain harvest over two production cycles for each system. Residue retention showed no significant impact on grain or crop residue yields or nutrient uptake in either system. Treatment minimally impacted feedstock quality, except wheat straw's sulfur (S) concentration, optimized at around 70% retention in New Kent. Theoretical ethanol potential (TEP) and yield remained unaffected by total residue rates in New Kent. In Blacksburg, over 2 years, a minimum TEP for corn stover corresponded to a retention rate of approximately 30%. A retention rate of more than 30% increased TEP, likely due to improved feedstock quality. Nutrient replacement costs for primary macronutrients and S uptake ranged from $18.3 to $36.9 ha-1 for corn stover and $6.1 to $11.8 ha-1 for wheat straw. Residue harvest or addition did not harm short-term biomass yield in Virginia's grain-based cropping systems. Crop residue removal has negligible impact on corn grain yield or quality in continuous cropping systems. Optimal residue retention preserves feedstock quality, notably sulfur levels in wheat straw. Theoretical ethanol yield remains stable despite varied residue retention rates. Residue can be removed for bioenergy without significantly raising nutrient replacement costs.

The global human population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing the demand for food and fiber, but also raising concerns about the environmental impact of agricultural production scaled to meet their needs. Silvopastures—integrated tree–forage–livestock systems—have emerged as a viable practice to meet the required productivity and environmental stewardship outcomes. This review consolidates the extensive research on silvopasture practices in the United States and highlights the benefits of these systems. A comprehensive literature search across databases such as ScienceDirect and Google Scholar revealed 152 publications on silvopastures in the United States since 2000, indicating growing interest. These studies have primarily focused on the impacts of silvopastures on livestock welfare and productivity, forage production and composition, soil health and nutrient dynamics, and socio-economic factors. Geographical distribution analysis indicated that the research is more focused in the Southeastern United States, with Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Missouri, and Arkansas being the top five contributing states. The review also offers insights into the tree and forage species used across these states and discusses the challenges to silvopasture adoption among producers and land managers while exploring future prospects. This review may be used as a resource for understanding the multifaceted dimensions of silvopasture adoption, providing insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike.

Abstract Fescue toxicosis poses a significant challenge to the United States beef industry, resulting in considerable economic losses. This syndrome arises from the consumption of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceous) infected with the wild-type endophyte (WE; Epichloe coenophiala), which produces toxic alkaloids. The most effective solution for mitigating fescue toxicosis is renovating WE tall fescue pastures to novel endophyte-infected (NE) tall fescue. However, pasture renovation is costly and may not be feasible under certain conditions, with the economic profitability taking up to 3 yr. While the potential of condensed tannins (CTs) in specific leguminous forages to reduce the absorption of toxic alkaloids is recognized, their use as supplements remains underexplored. This study aims were to investigate the potential of CT-containing feed supplements, specifically sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) pellets, in reducing the post-ingestive effects of fescue toxicosis in steers. Over two summers,12 steers were assigned to either Schedonorus arundinaceous (LES) or LES mixed with polyethylene glycol (LES + PEG) as a positive control for 12 wk. Body weight, hair retention score, rectal and extremities temperatures, cortisol concentrations, and lumen area of caudal arteries were collected at 4-wk intervals. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effect ANOVA test in SAS Studio 3.5. Steers on the LES diet exhibited significantly less (P < 0.05) hair retention scores compared with those on the LES + PEG diet. In 2021, steers on the LES diet showed greater (P = 0.0101) ADG, while in 2022, there was no difference (P = 0.9916) in ADG between the treatments. Steers on the LES diet displayed greater (P = 0.0332) tail skin temperatures and decreased (P < 0.0001) rectal temperatures compared with those on the LES + PEG diet. Hair cortisol concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in steers on the LES + PEG diet than in those on the LES diet. Additionally, steers supplemented with the LES + PEG diet showed a 21.2% smaller caudal artery lumen area compared with those on the LES diet (P < 0.01). These findings underscore the potential of CTs in reducing the post-ingestive effects of fescue toxicosis. However, further research is needed to explore the complex mechanisms underlying these effects, establish the long-term efficacy of such interventions, and extend the investigation to include a broader range of physiological parameters affecting livestock health and performance.

Abstract Hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) has been a valuable species for humans throughout history due to its adaptability and diverse uses. Farmers are interested in hemp as a forage and feedstuff due to its unique nutritional properties and rapid summer production. This study examined yield and nutritive value of three hemp cultivars, ‘Grandi’, ‘Joey’, and ‘EcoFibre’ as potential forage crops when harvested at weekly intervals in Blacksburg, VA, USA, during 2021 and 2022. The greatest biomass and TDN yield across all cultivars were 3.17 Mg ha-1 and 2.08 Mg ha-1, respectively, at 2 mo after establishment in 2021. However, biomass and TDN yield were 1.9 Mg ha-1 and 1.03 Mg ha-1, respectively at 2 mo after establishment in 2022. The nutritive value in hemp plant biomass harvested at different times varied by cultivar and harvest time (P < 0.05). Depending on cultivar and harvest time, hemp plant biomass contained 13 to 32% CP, 22 to 45% NDF, 20 to 38% ADF, 4 to 9% lignin, and 52 to 80% TDN (cultivar × time interaction; P < 0.05). Hemp CP and TDN decreased gradually with maturation while ADF, NDF, and lignin increased; however, this decline with maturity did not appear as severe as occurs with many other forages. These preliminary results suggest that hemp has the potential to be used as a forage crop. More research is needed to address hemp management and utilization, including field establishment and production, harvest timing for optimum tonnage and forage quality, and animal intake and performance studies.

Heat stress is of growing concern for producers and costs the livestock industry > $2B annually, with predictions that this cost will increase with climate change. Silvopasture is a potential strategy for reducing heat stress in livestock and improving productivity. In this study, we compared heifer performance and body temperatures in open pasture (OP), newly established loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) silvopasture, thinned pine silvopasture (PSP), and thinned hardwood silvopasture (HSP). Heifers were weighed at 4-week intervals, and their intravaginal and external hide temperatures were recorded using small temperature loggers and a drone with a thermal camera, respectively. Pre- and post-grazing forage biomass was greater in OP compared to silvopasture treatments in both years ( p < 0.05). Type of grazing system had no effect on the seasonal weight gains of the heifers ( P = 0.5764). Heifers in HSP and PSP had cooler intravaginal and hide temperatures ( p < 0.05) during the afternoon hours (1150–1830 h) compared to heifers in OP, indicating reduced radiant energy loads and improved welfare during summer. Heifers without shade had a larger increase in hide temperature from morning to afternoon than heifers with access to shade (10.7 vs. 3.9 °C). These findings suggest that silvopasture systems can reduce heat stress while maintaining similar levels of livestock productivity. However, animal performance in silvopastures by month was variable. Management strategies that increase forage production in silvopastures may further the value of these systems in terms of greater land-use efficiency relative to open pasture systems.

Robinia pseudoacacia L. (commonly known as black locust) is an economically and environmentally important plant, native to the eastern USA, and introduced into several European countries, including Hungary. An early successional leguminous tree, the black locust is characterized by tolerance to degraded sites, rapid growth rate, dense and rot-resistant wood, and heavy flowering. Due to its economic potential and environmental impact, the historic Hungarian breeding strategy targeted not only increased wood production but also in wood and honey-production quality. However, because many important features of the species are under polygenic control, genome-wide genetic data provided by high-throughput sequencing technology could make possible the identification of gene variants with identifiable functional effects on complex traits. Furthermore, the evaluation of the breeding efforts carried out so far would be also achievable, by comparing bred/selected genotypes with those from the original habitat. This paper provides a genomic dataset with highly variable SNP markers from native American and Hungarian Robinia pseudoacacia L. individuals. These SNP loci can be used to assess genetic differentiation, and to detect signatures of polygenic determination of economically important traits, providing a basis for further research into this species.

Tree inventories are a cornerstone of forest science and management. Inventories are essential for quantifying forest growth rates, determining biomass and carbon stock variation, assessing species diversity, and evaluating the impacts of both forest management and climate change. Recent advances in digital sensing technologies on mobile phones have the potential to improve traditional forest inventories through increased efficiency in measurement and transcription and potentially through increasing participation in data collection by non-experts. However, the degree to which digital sensing tools (e.g., camera-enabled smartphone applications) can accurately determine the tree parameters measured during forest inventories remains unclear. In this study, we assess the ability of a smartphone application to perform a user-assisted tree inventory and compare digital estimates of tree diameter to measurements made using traditional forestry field sampling approaches. The results suggest that digital sensing tools on mobile phones can accurately measure tree diameter (R2 = 0.95; RMSE = 2.71 cm compared to manual measurements) while saving time during both the data-collection stage and data-entry stage of field sampling. Importantly, we compare measurements of the same tree across users of the phone application in order to determine the per-user, per-tree, and per-species uncertainty associated with each form of measurement. Strong agreement between manual and digital measurements suggests that digital sensing technologies have the potential to facilitate the efficient collection of high-quality and auditable data collected by non-experts but with some important limitations compared to traditional tree measurement approaches. Most people in the world own a smartphone. Enabling accurate tree inventory data collection through mobile phones at scale can improve our understanding of tree growth and biomass accumulation and the key factors (e.g., climate change or management practices) that affect these processes, ultimately advancing forest science and management.

Cattle grazing tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceous) infected with wild-type endophytes (WE) leads to a syndrome commonly known as fescue toxicosis. Replacing WE tall fescue with a novel endophyte-infected (NE) tall fescue can mitigate this problem but adoption of this technology has been limited. This study measured and determined the physiological and behavioral responses of heifers that grazed either WE or NE tall fescue, utilizing relatively non-invasive techniques including hair cortisol, thermography (for extremity temperatures), small loggers for intravaginal temperature, and remote observation of in-field behavior. Heifers that grazed WE had greater (p < 0.0001) hair cortisol levels, lower extremity temperatures (p ≤ 0.0075), and 0.3-0.9 °C greater (p ≤ 0.02) intravaginal temperatures (particularly during the daytime) than heifers that grazed NE. From 1200 h-1700 h each day, heifers on WE pastures spent 1.5 more (p = 0.0003) hours standing up and 0.9 fewer (p = 0.0402) hours lying down than heifers on NE pastures. Differences (p = 0.0160) in ADG were small (0.1 kg d-1) and were only observed in the first year of these 8-week studies. However, even in the mild environment of the study site, grazing NE tall fescue provided clear welfare benefits as evidenced by heifer behavioral changes, temperature differentials, and hair cortisol levels. This study underscores the potential utility of non-invasive techniques, such as thermographic imaging and hair cortisol analysis, for evaluating animal responses to stress in extensive grazing systems.

The use of crop residues for biofuel production has the potential to provide environmental and economic benefits to modern societies. Because of the profound impacts that crop residues have on agricultural productivity and soil health, a sustainable utilization of these residues is required. Thus, we determined crop yield and quality response for a range of biomass retention rates in grain cropping systems. Combinations of corn (Zea mays L.) stover (0, 3.33, 6.66 and 10 Mgha−1) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 Mgha−1) were soil applied in a corn-wheat/soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) rotation in Virginia’s Coastal Plain. Corn stover (0, 3.33, 6.66, 10 and 20 Mg ha−1) was applied in a continuous corn cropping system in the Ridge/Valley province. For each system, residues were applied following grain harvest over two production cycles. Each experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with four replications. Two cycles of crop residue management, with retention rates of up to 20 Mg ha−1 of corn stover retention in Blacksburg, and up to 13 Mg ha−1 of corn stover and wheat straw in New Kent, had no effect on total nitrogen (TN) and carbon (TC) concentrations, CN ratios, bulk density (BD), soil pH, field capacity, permanent wilting point, plant available water and water aggregate stability across soil depths and aggregate sizes in Virginia. In one situation when residue management slightly affected BD (0–2.5 cm depth, NK1), differences across the sixteen total retained residues treatments were less than 5%, thus rendering them not biologically or environmentally meaningful. Overall, results of this study did not show any clear short-term impact, resulting from various rates of crop residue retention in Virginia cropping systems. These incipient negative impacts resulting from very low rates of residue return warrant further studies to corroborate whether these results are to be found following long-term scenarios of crop residue management.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play a role in regulating the body's response to inflammation. Most grains fed to horses are high in linoleic acid (LA), a pro-inflammatory n6 PUFA, compared with α-linolenic acid (ALA), an anti-inflammatory n3 PUFA. Recent interest in hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil (HSO) as a PUFA source has arisen due to its unique fatty acid (FA) profile, which includes γ-linolenic acid (GLA), an n6 PUFA with anti-inflammatory properties. Dietary GLA is rapidly converted to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), a precursor to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Manipulating dietary FA may lead to alterations in tissue FA profiles in the horse which could promote a reduced inflammatory response. Thus, our objective was to determine if oral supplementation of HSO for 28 d would cause detectable changes in FA composition in synovial fluid (SF) and skeletal muscle (MUS). Six Thoroughbred geldings (11 ± 3.2 yrs, 568 ± 26 kg BW) were used in a crossover experiment with 2 consecutive 63d periods. Horses were offered a control (CON) basal diet of hay and concentrate or the basal diet with the addition of 166 mL HSO delivering 5g GLA. Diets were designed to be isocaloric. Over 7d, HSO was introduced gradually, maintained for another 28d, and then removed and horses resumed basal diets for an additional 28d. Horses were weighed, and body condition score (BCS) assessed weekly. MUS and SF samples werecollected on d0, d35, and d63 of each period. MUS biopsies were taken from the middle gluteus muscle at a depth of 8cm. SF was collected from the left carpus joint. FA were extracted from MUS and SF and analyzed by GC. Individual FA are represented as g of FA per 100g of total fatty acids. Data were analyzed using Proc MIXED in SAS (v.15.1 SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). No changes in BW or BCS were observed throughout the study. In SF, GLA was detected after 28d of HSO supplementation (0.32 ± 0.06g/100g) but not at any other time point. On d 28, horses supplemented with HSO also had greater SF DGLA (0.31 ± 0.04g/100g) than CON (0.19 ± 0.04g/100g; P = 0.04). MUS ALA tended (P = 0.07) to be greater in horses fed CON compared with HSO. No other differences were observed for FA in MUS or SF. These results indicate that 28d of HSO supplementation can modify FA profiles in equine skeletal muscle and synovial fluid. This could potentially influence inflammation signaling molecules and subsequently the inflammatory response, however, longer studies with more horses are needed to determine peak incorporation and the effects of varying quantities of HSO in the diet.

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceous (Schreb.) Dumort. nom. cons. Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.) toxicosis results from the consumption of alkaloids released by wild-type endophytes (Epichloe coenophiala) that live in symbiosis with the plant. Alkaloid consumption causes significant production and reproductive losses which cost the U.S. beef industry approximately $2 billion every year. Incorporating species that contain condensed tannins (CTs) into forage systems may be an effective strategy to reduce the effects of fescue toxicosis in livestock. It has been hypothesized that stable complexes formed between CTs and toxic alkaloids could help reduce their absorption through the gastrointestinal epithelia, thus reducing their toxic effects. However, it is not yet clear whether CTs are effective in reducing the effects of fescue toxicosis in grazing systems. A comprehensive literature search was carried out using Google Scholar to identify studies relevant to the research question, from which the cited articles were selected. This review covers the value and issues of tall fescue employed as useful forage, summarizes the impact endophyte-infected tall fescue can have on cattle, and sets out the current management strategies implemented to minimize fescue toxicosis. The review continues with a brief summary of tannin structure and the well-documented benefits that CT-containing forages can contribute to the productivity and sustainability of ruminant agriculture. Finally, a summary of the potential forage sources, mechanisms, and benefits of CTs in reducing the negative post-ingestion effects of fescue alkaloids in livestock is provided.

A silvopasture system intentionally integrates trees, forages, and livestock, allowing dual land use. These systems can provide high-quality habitat for broiler chickens; however, such systems have not been widely adopted by the broiler industry in the United States. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of silvopasture versus open pasture access on fearfulness and leg health in fast-growing broiler chickens. A total of 886 mixed-sex Ross 708 chicks in Experiment 1 (Exp 1) and 648 chicks in Experiment 2 (Exp 2) were housed in coops and had access to 16 (Exp 1) or 12 (Exp 2) 125m 2 silvopasture plots (x̄ = 32% canopy cover) or open pasture plots (no canopy cover) from day 24 of age. Fearfulness was measured using a tonic immobility test (tonic immobility duration), and leg health was assessed by quantifying footpad dermatitis, hock burns, gait, and performing a latency-to-lie test on days 37–39 of age. Birds in the silvopasture treatment were less fearful than birds in the open pasture treatment. Overall, birds in both silvopasture and open pasture systems had excellent leg health. Silvopasture birds had lower footpad dermatitis scores than open pasture birds. Silvopasture birds tended to have worse gait than open pasture birds in Exp 1, but not in Exp 2. Hock burn scores and latency-to-lie did not differ between treatments in Exp 1 or Exp 2. Raising birds in silvopasture reduced fear and improved footpad health compared to birds raised in open pastures, which indicates that silvopasture systems provide some benefits for affective state and leg health in fast-growing broilers.