Feeding cows on fescue grass

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Fire Swept, I have a different opinion on the fescue. The fungus is more concentrated in the seedheads is the reason as you stated that you look in the seedheads for the rat turd fungus. I bush hog the seedheads to get rid of them and it seems to help.

I guess I was not clear, sorry. I meant to explain to the OP that the toxin is ALSO in the plant (the leaf sheath, between the cells to be specific) and NOT just the seed heads. As the plant produces seed, the ergovaline moves into the seed, and is more concentrated. Our extension recommends grazing it short and keeping it short, but with our system that is not possible (MIG). So when the grass gets ahead of us, we run the bush hog over it before moving cows in.

 

[Mod2]

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