In addition to the benefits that native grasses can provide for stockering, backgrounding, heifer development, and improved drought resiliency (see three previous articles for more information on each of these), they al
As the heat and humidity of summer sets in across the Southeast, many cattle are grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue may begin to show signs of fescue toxicosis.
Cattle grazing fescue have unique nutritional needs due to the fescue endophyte. Tall fescue is often associated with fescue toxicosis, which can result in discolored hair coats; decreased conception rates; hoof problem
New forage research gives reason to not graze toxic fescue grass too short. The bottom 2 inches of infected grass holds highest levels of the alkaloid causing problems for grazing livestock.
Grazing fescue before it goes to seed and providing plenty of water and shade during the summer can help ranchers minimize the effects of endophyte-infected fescue forage.
