[Jacob-list] Fescue Toxicity

[Linda]

Doesn't fescue toxicity also cause problems with horns and tough placentas?  

Linda

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 10:16:54 -0400, Neal and Louise Grose wrote:
>Fescue toxicity is a real problem in our area. It is  caused by a symbiotic
>endophyte fungus that infects fescue grass and  increases its tolerance to
>draught, cold, heat, and insect  infestation. Look at your pasture. If the
>grass is uniform and stays green  a high percentage of the year, then it is
>probably bad for your sheep. It also  tends to make the grass unpalatable to
>sheep and bugs. Good for lawns = bad for sheep.
>
>Rate of gain yields can often double in pastures that are  over-planted with
>clover because it gives the animals something else to eat.  Fungus free
>fescues are available and can produce good rates of gain, but die  out after a
>few years. There is also a new non-toxic fungus infected fescue that  is
>supposed to supply the best of both worlds, but you can not plant it  adjacent
>to toxic varieties that go to seed and keep it free of the toxic  fungus. If
>your neighbor has stuff he wants to get out of his yard, like  crab-grass,
>offer to take it for the sheep...
>
>Neal Grose North Carolina ----- 
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