Dr. John C. Waller
Associate Professor

Education

Ph.D. Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition, University of Nebraska -1978
M.S. Animal Science, Ruminant Nutrition, University of Nebraska - 1976
B.S. Animal Science, University of Florida - 1973

Professional Interest: Ruminant Nutrition

Dr. Waller’s research focuses on quantifying performance and physiological characteristics of beef cattle grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue.  Known for its persistence and productivity in spring and fall, tall fescue is the predominant cool-season grass in Tennessee. Unfortunately, more than 95% of existing tall fescue pastures is infested with the endophytic fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum which causes tall fescue toxicosis and costs the Tennessee beef industry about $100 million annually.  Dr. Waller’s research is conducted on pasture systems located at research and education centers across Tennessee and at metabolic and analytical laboratories in Knoxville.  It has been noted that variation exists in mammalian responses to consumption of alkaloids found in endophyte-infected tall fescue.  Recently, a genetic marker was identified that may help identify animals that may be resistant to these alkaloids.  Currently, research is underway to determine if this marker is related to other important performance traits of interest to beef producers. The Tall Fescue Toxicosis Team, comprised of investigators representing many disciplines from several UT departments, has made this research a top priority.           

In addition to tall fescue toxicosis, other research interests of Dr. Waller include: (1) evaluation of native warm-season forages (Switchgrass, Big Bluestem & Indiangrass, and Eastern Gamagrass) to meet the summer forage gap in tall fescue systems, (2) evaluation of byproduct feedstuffs to meet the nutrient needs of stocker cattle and growing replacement females, (3) development of supplementation strategies to address mineral imbalances found in tall fescue and to reduce nutritional and immunological stresses associated with weaning, (4) assessment of  nutrients from emerging byproduct feedstuffs from biofuel and other energy initiatives, and (5) expansion of previous research in nutrient supplementation to alter the composition of meat and milk produced by ruminants into new collaborative studies using mini-pigs to investigate the influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in reducing obesity in humans.

Selected Publications

• Waller, J.C. 2009. Endophyte effects on cattle. p. 289-310. In H.A. Fribourg, D.B. Hannaway, and C.P. West (ed.) Tall fescue for the twenty-first century. Agron. Monogr. 53. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
• West, C. P., and J. C. Waller. 2007. Humid transition zone. In R.F. Barnes et al. (eds) Forages: The science of grassland agriculture. Vol. 2, 6th ed. Blackwell Pub. Prof., Ames, IA.
• Bates, G, P. Keyser, C. Harper, and J. Waller. 2007. Using switchgrass for forage. UT Biofuels Initiative Fact Sheet SP701B. pp. 1-4. http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/spfiles/SP701-B.pdf
• Waller, J. C., A. E. Fisher, H. A. Fribourg, and C. J. Richards. 2005. Reduce tall fescue toxicosis in Festuca arundinacea forage systems with legumes. In Proc. XX International Grassland. Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 26 June - 1 July. p. 306.
• Richards, C. J., R. B. Pugh, and J. C. Waller. 2006. Influence of soybean hull supplementation on rumen fermentation and digestibility in steers consuming freshly clipped endophyte-infected tall fescue. J. Anim, Sci. 84:678-685.
• Schuenemann, G. M., J. L. Edwards, F. M. Hopkins, F. N. Scenna, J. C. Waller, J. W. Oliver, A. M. Saxton, and F. N. Schrick. 2005. Fertility aspects in yearling beef bulls grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures. Reproduction Fertility Development 17:479-486.
• Lee, J. H. J. C. Waller, S. L. Melton, and A. M. Saxton. 2006. Incorporation of a-tocopherol and linoleic acid in fresh lambs by feeding chemically treated dietary supplements containing DL-a-tocopheryl acetate and sunflower oil. J. Agri. & Food Chem. 54:568-573.
• Mitchell, R., V. G. Allen, J. Waller, P. Ohlenbusch. 2004. A mobile classroom approach to graduate education in forage and range science. J. Natural Resources Life Sci. 33:117-120.
• Lee, J. H., J. C. Waller, S. L. Melton, A. M. Saxton, and L. O. Pordesimo. 2004. Feeding encapsulated ground full-fat soybean to increase polyunsaturated fat levels and effect on flavor profiles in red meat. J. Anim. Sci. 82:2734-2741.
• Pavao-Zuckerman, M. A., J. C. Waller, T. Ingle, and H. A. Fribourg. 1999. Methane emissions of beef cattle grazing tall fescue pastures. J. Enviro. Qual. 28:1963-1969.