Newswise — 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 [email protected].

A peer-reviewed international journal of agriculture and natural resource sciences, Agronomy Journal is published six times a year by the American Society of Agronomy, with articles relating to original research in soil science, crop science, agroclimatology and agronomic modeling, production agriculture, and software. For more information visit: http://agron.scijournals.org.

The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) www.agronomy.org, is a scientific society helping its 8,000+ members advance the disciplines and practices of agronomy by supporting professional growth and science policy initiatives, and by providing quality, research-based publications and a variety of member services.