1. LIVESTOCK HEALTH PROBLEMS RELATED TO FORAGES Floron C. Faries, Jr. DVM, MS Professor and Extension Program Leader for Veterinary Medicine Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M System http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu

2. MOLD POISONING Ergot Poisoning - ’Ergot Foot’ Fungus (Claviceps purpurea) Black, Elongated Mass Seed Heads  Rye, Wheat, Oats, Ryegrass Late Summer Vasoconstriction (Extremities) Lameness Gangrene

3. Ergot Poisoning - ’Dallisgrass Staggers’ Fungus (Claviceps paspali) Creamy (yellow-gray), Round Mass Seed Heads  Dallisgrass Late Summer Nervous Stimulation Excited Tremors Stagger

4. Fescue Poisoning Fungus (Acremonium) Tall Fescue Vasoconstriction (Extremities) ‘Fescue Foot’  Lameness  Gangrene  Late Fall, Winter Decreased Heat ‘Summer Fescue’  Poor Doers  Summer Hard Fat (Abodomen) ‘Chronic Fescue’  Long Time Consumption

5. GRASS TETANY Low Blood Magnesium Adult Cows Nursing Lush Pastures Any Age Any Condition

6. Wheat Oats Ryegrass Bermuda Weather Cool-Cold Cloudy Wet

7. High K, N Predisposes Signs Tremble Stagger Run Convulsions Stiff Sensitive

8. Prevention Prevent Energy Loss Grain Hay Magnesium Mineral (6-8%) 1-2 oz Mg/day 1-2 lb Mineral/day

9. NITRATE POISONING Fresh or Dry Forage Johnson Grass Sudan Sorghum Sudan-Sorghum Wheat Oats Rye Ryegrass Bermuda Fescue

10. Weather Growth Cease/Nitrate Accumulates Cold Hot Cloudy Shade

11. Physical Damage Growth Cease/Nitrate Accumulates Heavily Grazed Stems Roots

12. >1% Nitrate of Ration (>100 PPM) Energy Feeds > Conversion

13. CYANIDE POISONING PRUSSIC ACID POISONING Fresh Forage Johnson Grass Sudan Sorghum Sudan-Sorghum

14. Weather/Damage Frost Wilt Winter Hot Dry Summer 3 days New Growth 10 days Hay Fill