News Release | American Society of Agronomy

American Society of Agronomy
5585 Guilford Road • Madison, WI 53711-5801 • 608-273-8080 • Fax 608-273-2021
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Contact: Hanna Jeske, Associate Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy, 608-268-3972, hjeske@sciencesocieties.org

Fescue Toxicosis and Management

A new professional guidebook on protecting foraging livestock from a costly disorder

Fecue Toxicosis and Management MADISON, WI, June 9^th, 2010 – Tall fescue toxicosis is one of the most devastating problems facing forage-livestock agriculture. While there is currently no cure for this costly disorder, there are proven management strategies to lessen the impact of toxicosis. A new professional guide, Fescue Toxicosis and Management is now available to livestock producers and land managers who want to better understand and control toxicosis.

“We wanted to present an easy-to-understand description of this complex problem, along with recommendations that are practical for real farm use,” say authors Craig Roberts of the University of Missouri and John Andrae of Clemson University. Both authors are experienced forage specialists working with state extension.

The guide presents information that will help readers understand the toxins associated with tall fescue toxicosis, what causes it, and practical management strategies. Some of the management techniques covered in the guide are:

· Endophyte Testing

· Spray–Smother–Spray

· Use of Tall Fescue with Novel Endophytes

· Alkaloid Management

· Incremental Alleviation

· Livestock Rotation to Other Pastures

· Dilution with Other Forages

· Supplemental Feeding

· Hay Ammoniation

· Winter Grazing Management

Fescue Toxicosis and Management is published by the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. The guide is a follow-up on the well received monograph, Tall Fescue Monograph, online at http://forages.oregonstate.edu/tallfescuemonograph/, also published by the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America.

Fescue Toxicosis and Management is 16 pages, softcover, and available from ASA and CSSA for $15 at www.societystore.org, or call 608-268-4960 or email books@sciencesocieties.org.

The American Society of Agronomy is an international scientific and professional society with its headquarters in Madison, WI. Our members are researchers and trained, certified professionals in the areas of growing our world’s food supply, while protecting our environment. We work at universities, government research facilities and private businesses across the United States and the world.