Fescue Toxicosis in Commercial Cattle Feeding Operations

Abstract

Tall Fescue (Festuca Arundinacea Schreb.) accounts for approximately 35 million acres of grassland in the U.S. Fescue pastures continue to be a major cattle grazing staple in the transition zone of the U.S. including the south central regions of the country. Research has shown that fescue can contain the endophytic fungus Acrenonium coenophialum which is reported to contain toxic factors that cause various disease conditions in cattle that are grazing contaminated pastures (1). The conditions or disorders associated with the grazing of endophyte infested fescue include fescue foot, summer syndrome, fat necrosis, agalactia, and decreased reproductive efficiency (1, 2, 3, 4).