Beating Endophytes

 

Beating Endophytes
 
Key points
  • Absorbent yeast and clay compounds may reduce ryegrass staggers and improve stock health.
  • Reducing intake of toxic ryegrass by grazing management or offering supplements, crops etc is beneficial.
  • Replace toxic ryegrass with AR1 ryegrass or a similar safe endophyte cultivar where possible.
  • Spraying/cropping or double spray/fallow reduces toxic ryegrass seed in the soil and ensures a safe pure sward is established. This could take two years.
  • Prevent the invasion of wild-type seed via hay/silage, dung, fleeces and machinery.
  • Selection for animal resistance to staggers may be a good long-term strategy.
For further information please download the attached PDF