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Superintendent
David Davis
21262 Genoa Road
Linneus, MO 64653
Phone: 660 895-5121
FAX: 660 895=5122
Email: DavisDK@missouri.edu

Forage Systems Update
Vol 14, No. 4

Dr. Craig Roberts and Wendi Rogers are beginning an exciting new project this fall at FSRC. During the course of the project ergovaline levels in tall fescue will be monitored. Ergovaline is the substance found in endophyte infected tall fescue which makes tall fescue toxic to grazing livestock. Ergovaline restricts blood flow to the animal's extremities, resulting in lost tail switches and even lost hooves. It is also responsible for rough hair coats and causes poor animal performance, especially during hot summer months.

The actual mechanics of the project include trimming the tall fescue to a 4 inch stubble height prior to the beginning of the study in January, then collecting tall fescue tillers, or stems, each month for the next twelve months. Forage will be allowed to accumulate for the entire calendar year and the ergovaline levels monitored as the plant grows. This will address changes in the toxin levels as the plants mature. An additional set of plots will look at the level of ergovaline in tall fescue as it changes while the plant is actively growing. These plots will be trimmed monthly and the tillers harvested to determine changes in the ergovaline levels as the growing season progresses. This experiment will address the seasonal changes in the toxin levels as these plants will not be allowed to set seed, keeping the plants in a vegetative growth stage.

We look forward to implementing this project. Proper management of endophyte infected tall fescue in MiG systems really involves management of the toxins produced by the endophyte. Dr. Roberts will gain new insight into toxin management by documenting the changes in the ergovaline levels throughout the year.

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