[Jacob-list] Endophyte infected fescue and horn development -Neal?

[Neal and Louise Grose]

Sorry I missed comment the first time around.(1) Fescue endophyte toxicity here in the Southeast is more of a problem in the summer and is specifically a mold toxin that is most active in mature plants during heat stress. It is different from the ergot fungus. Endophyte is a beneficial symbiot to the fescue, and is spread by seed. The endophyte makes the fescue more able to withstand heat and draught stress. The toxicity reduces insect damage.

The good news is that there are different variants of the endophyte, with different degrees of toxicity.  I planted a "toxic free" variety last year that seems to be doing well and has high palatability. It is approved for feeding to lactating mares, which most fescues are NOT.

Neal Grose

(1) Hal the computer down-loaded an update on its McAee software that practically shut down its operations. Is that the way it is supposed to work?

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jacobflock at aol.com 
  To: patchworkfibers at alltel.net ; Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 12:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Endophyte infected fescue and horn development -Neal?


  In a message dated 8/23/2005 7:01:11 PM Central Standard Time, patchworkfibers at alltel.net writes:


    This topic was brought up a few years back and I remember comments on the effects of infected fescue on horn and hoof development.  We do feed both fescue and bermuda hay. It's hard to get away from fescue in our area.  I've been pretty happy with the horn growth on my lambs, but there is an occasional lamb that develops horns slowly - but does catch up.  I've seen pix of my lambs that are not being fed infected fescue and their horn development is more developed than the twin that has stayed and been fed fescue.  By two years old, the twins are very similar. 

    Does feeding infected fescue only slow horn growth or does it damage growth to the point that those horns will never be as strong?  Thirteen years ago, I bought a ewe that exhibited terrible hoof separation.  She had been fed infected fescue from birth (well, since before birth, I guess, since that's all her dam got).  I was feeding fescue hay and our grass was fescue.  That ewe's lambs all had the foot problems.  None of my unrelated sheep showed any problem.  Is an intolerance to infected fescue genetic?  Once I culled that entire line, I never had another problem, even though I'm still feeding fescue along with bermuda.

    Linda




  I know that this was specifically noted for Neal to answer and it is a rather complex issue.  Basically, the answer is yes; hoof and horn development can be affected by fesuce and certainly endophyet infected fescue.  The exposure to lush/moisture laden pasture (often in the Spring and the new lamb crop), particullarly fescue and even rye grass and clover, can have adverse effects.  The fescue ergots tend to reduce blood flow and this reduced blood flow is more often seen in hoof and horn development.  The problem is a stomach (rumen?) problem related to the uptake of copper andf zinc which are necessary for the blood system and the formation of keratin.  Endophyte fescue as weel as rye and clover, espcecially when it is lush and wet allows the sheep to eat pasture without as much saliva as would be used on a dry, less lush pasture.  

  There are other factors including "grain feeding" that throws pasture mangement and protein and fiber daily needs out of balance.  There may also be a genetic issue by individual or family altho I am not aware of any literature.  What is environmental and episodic and what is genetic for the ewe is unclear. Related literature is primarily on cattle; Holsteins being somewhat predisposed to hoof problems and diet.

  Fred Horak




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