US: Fescue foot reported in Missouri cattle

Published 2023년 1월 9일

Tridge summary

Several Missouri cattlemen have reported losses due to fescue foot, a condition that affects cows grazing on infected fescue pastures after extreme cold spells. Early detection and moving cows to non-toxic pastures can prevent severe symptoms like hoove loss and gangrene. The condition is caused by toxic alkaloids in fescue that reduce blood flow, leading to hoove death. While there is no cure, replacing toxic fescue with a novel-endophyte variety can solve the problems associated with fescue foot. Forage producers can learn how to kill toxic fescue and seed non-toxic varieties at workshops offered by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal in March.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

At the start of the new year, several Missouri cattlemen have reported their cattle dying of fescue foot. These significant losses show why beef producers should check herds for warning signs of fescue foot in early January, when it most often occurs, says University of Missouri Extension forage expert, Craig Roberts. Cows that graze on infected fescue are vulnerable to fescue foot following extreme cold spells, he says. During cold weather, producers might notice that some cows or yearlings on fescue pastures move slowly or limp early in the day. They should act quickly on these early warning signs of fescue foot. “Early detection is vital,” says Roberts. If signs are caught early, cows can be moved off toxic Kentucky 31 pastures and given other forage or feed. “If you wait to move cattle off infected pastures, it may be too late. If left on toxic pastures, limping cows can lose hooves and become infected with gangrene.” Put lame animals in a chute and check their lower legs, ...

Source: Successful Farming