Tall fescue transformed agriculture across much of the eastern United States—but the endophyte that helps the plant survive can also harm the animals grazing it.
In this third and final episode of our tall fescue series, we turn to the practical question: What can farmers do about toxic tall fescue?
At Purdue University’s Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, Jason Tower demonstrates how grazing management, stockpiling, legumes and pasture diversity can reduce the challenge while preserving the strengths of the grass. At the University of Kentucky, forage specialist Ray Smith explains ergovaline testing, risks to cattle and broodmares, and when an old Kentucky 31 pasture should be replaced with endophyte-free or novel-endophyte tall fescue.
The choices fall into three broad approaches—avoid it, improve it or replace it—and each begins with understanding the animals, the pasture and the farm.
University of Kentucky Forage Extension: Tall Fescue
UK publications and resources on tall-fescue establishment, management and toxicity.
UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: Ergovaline Sample Collection Guidelines
Instructions for collecting, preserving and submitting tall-fescue forage for ergovaline analysis.
UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program
Comprehensive pasture evaluations that can include plant composition, endophyte infection and ergovaline concentration. The program is especially useful for farms managing broodmares.
Fescue Toxicosis in Cattle — University of Kentucky
A practical overview of the endophyte, ergot alkaloids, animal symptoms and management strategies.
Sampling for the Tall Fescue Endophyte in Pasture or Hay Stands — University of Kentucky
Guidance for collecting samples when testing for endophyte infection.
Tall Fescue Novel-Endophyte Varieties and Establishment — University of Kentucky
Information on selecting and establishing novel-endophyte tall fescue for livestock and horse farms.
Pasture renovation
Alliance for Grassland Renewal
Education and resources on replacing toxic tall fescue with novel-endophyte varieties.
Tall Fescue Replacement and the Spray–Smother–Spray Protocol
A practical outline of the renovation method discussed in the episode.
Other testing laboratories
Agrinostics
Offers endophyte-detection and ergot-alkaloid testing services. Be specific about which analysis you need.
University of Missouri VMDL: Ergot/Fescue Alkaloids in Feedstuff
Quantifies ergovaline along with several other ergot alkaloids.
Oregon State University Endophyte Service Laboratory
Tests plant and feed materials for ergovaline, lolitrem B and other ergot alkaloids.
From the episode
Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center
The Purdue research and education farm managed by Jason Tower and featured throughout the episode.
