I need agricultural assistance

[Calamity Jane]

KM reminded me with all her talk of fescue.

Pregnant and lactating mares can't eat 'endophyte infested' fescue, because it causes several problems... late or too large foals, poor suckling reflex, weakened or immature foals, even if the pregnancy lasts longer than normal, etc.

Most of our hay has a little fescue mixed in with the brome and orchard grass, and I can recognize it and cull out the bales with the largest concentrations, but it also grows in my pasture. I don't really want to remove my mares from grass and feed them hay exclusively.

Do you think I could send a sample of the grass to a university to have it tested? From the info I've found, it seems clear that if my field doesn't have the endophytes now, it won't in the future.

Should I just call KState and not bug y'all?

This is what I found on the net.


The terms "fescue fungus", "endophyte", "fungal endophyte", and "fescue endophyte", have all been used to denote the organism in question. "Endo" (within) plus "phyte" (plant) means a plant that lives within another plant. In this case, the plant (endophyte) is a fungus, originally identified as Epichloe typhina and later renamed Acremonium coenophialum. It is generally accepted that these terms refer to the same organism.

Two characteristics of the endophyte have great practical importance. First, the organism does not affect either the growth or appearance of the grass, and it requires a laboratory analysis to detect its presence. Secondly, it is seed transmitted and apparently not transmitted in any other way. Thus, once a non-infected stand is established, it can be expected to remain that way.

 

[plasticman33]

Sounds like you'll need a laboratory analysis to determine if your fields are infected. Have you noticed any symtoms in the animals before this year?

 

[Calamity Jane]

This is the first year I've grazed pregnant animals on it. I won't know until she delivers if it caused any problems. Shitty way to find out.

There is an injection you can give the mares within the last 4 onths of their pregnancy that tends to counteract some of the effects, if you can afford it and find a vet who actually stocks it. She's due in a matter of days though, so that's not an option.

 

[huskie]

Your local vit couldn't answer this question??
If not then he has probably not had a problem with it and if fescue is the native grass that all the local horses are acustom to eating then, I WOULD ONLY GUESS, that its not going to be a problem. But thats a guess. I would ask a local vit with experiance in treating local pregnate horsey.

huskie

 

[Problem Child]

Kung-fu grip pussy woman,


Fescue toxicosis

Here's a link with more information. It gives symptoms of animals grazing on infected fescue, so you might compare and see if any of your horses have these symptoms.

It also has an adress for sending samples for testing. The fungus concentrates in seed heads, so if you can keep your pasture mowed so the grass doesn't head out, then you can minimize exposure in the short term, but it seems like lab testing is the only sure way to go.

 

[Problem Child]

If she's due within days, then it's sort of a moot point isn't it? I mean if the grass is infected then the damage has already been done. Hope not though.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Kung-fu grip pussy woman,


Fescue toxicosis

Here's a link with more information. It gives symptoms of animals grazing on infected fescue, so you might compare and see if any of your horses have these symptoms.

It also has an adress for sending samples for testing. The fungus concentrates in seed heads, so if you can keep your pasture mowed so the grass doesn't head out, then you can minimize exposure in the short term, but it seems like lab testing is the only sure way to go.

Thank you oh great ag god.

I keep it mowed, so maybe it's not a huge issue. I'll send some off for testing though.

 

[unclej]

i seem to remember that you're from texas. call your county extension agent and they'll either test it or tell you who will. there shouldn't be any charge, it's what they're there for.

luck with the young'ns

 

[Calamity Jane]

It's the cowgirl thing, isn't it? Everyone thinks I'm from Texas.

I'm in Missouri, but I'll contact my extension office, just the same.