Effects of isoflavone supplementation, via red clover hay, on the growth and postgraze physiological recovery of beef steers grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures.

Livestock grazing endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue can exhibit persistent systemic vasoconstriction and fescue toxicosis. Isoflavones in legumes, most notably red clover (RC), are known hypotensive agents. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of isoflavone supplementation via RC hay, every day or every other day (QOD), on average daily gain (ADG) of steers grazing E+ tall fescue pastures and their physiological recovery after grazing when managed on a non-toxic diet (28-d).

Red clover supplementation modifies rumen fermentation and promotes feed efficiency in ram lambs.

Red clover produces isoflavones, including biochanin A, which have been shown to have microbiological effects on the rumen while also promoting growth in beef cattle. The objective was to determine if supplementation of biochanin A via red clover hay would produce similar effects on the rumen microbiota and improve growth performance of lambs. Twenty-four individually-housed Polypay ram lambs (initial age: 114 ± 1 d; initial weight: 38.