ERGOT IN FEED: IS THERE A SAFE CONCENTRATION FOR BEEF CATTLE?

Cattle that consume feeds contaminated with the plant disease ergot can have reduced feed intake, gangrene of extremities, lameness, loss of pregnancy and heat stress. Ergot is caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea; the alkaloids (toxins) present in the ergot bodies are toxic to cattle. Another fungi species called Fusarium graminearum causes fusarium head blight and produces deoxynivalenol (DON), which can also be toxic to cattle. Many types of feed, including cereal crops, can become infected by ergot and contain hazardous concentrations of alkaloids, with the risk of cattle toxicity increasing if other mycotoxins like DON are present.