Animal Response to Toxic and Non-Toxic Tall Fescue

Abstract

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.J is currently grown on about 35 million acres in the United States. It has been utilized extensively for grazing cattle, especially in the south central and southeastern regions. Performance of cattle grazing tall fescue has been quite variable, especially during the warm summer season. Reduced performance during this time is often referred to as the summer syndrome, summer slump or summer fescue toxicosis. This syndrome is characterized by reduced gains, elevated body temperature, increased respiration rate, excess salivation, long rough hair coat, decreased milk production and standing in the shade and wet places.