Possible Fescue Toxicosis in Incoming Feeder Cattle

Abstract

Cattle are received into feedyards in the Southwest from nearly all parts of the nation, including groups off of summer fescue pastures. This paper presents a case of epidemic heat stroke in several groups of cattle received during June from summer fescue pastures known to be infected with the endopytic fungus Epichloe typhina ( Acremonium coenophialum). Given the absence of a definitive diagnostic test to confirm fescue toxicosis or "summer syndrome" it is based on circumstantial evidence, history, clinical observations, laboratory and post-mortem findings and rule outs.