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

[Linda]

What kind did you plant?  Max Q is the new rage around here.

Linda
Getting ready for 2006 lambs!
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn

On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:17:49 -0400, Neal and Louise Grose wrote:
> 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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