Do you currently utilize fescue pastures? Are you worried about the potential for fescue toxicity in your herd?
Grown on nearly 35 million acres of the southeastern part of the country, tall fescue is one of the most important cool-season grasses in the United States. However, it’s also the cause of more than $2 billion in annual losses for beef producers. So why do we still use it?
Kentucky-31 tall fescue has been planted across the U.S. since the early 1940s because of its extended grazing season, its resistence to pests and its tolerance for grazing pressure — but maximizing the grazing value of tall fescue has always meant striking a balance between its nutritive value and the presence of ergot alkaloid toxins.
For insights into utlizing fescue pastures on your operation while avoiding the risk of fescue toxicity, join Alltech for a live webinar hosted by Dr. Alexandra Weaver, global technical support for the Alltech® Mycotoxin Management team, as she discusses the options available to producers as we head into the summer months, when fescue toxicity hits the hardest.
About the speaker:
Dr. Alexandra Weaver is a member of the Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team, providing nutritional and technical support globally since 2013. Weaver has been focused on the area of mycotoxins for over 10 years and has a passion for this topic. She obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science and Nutrition from North Carolina State University with a focus on mycotoxins, specifically investigating their effects on performance, immunity, oxidative stress, gut health, and reproductive capacity in pigs. Weaver has published multiple research articles on the topic of mycotoxins and their effects on animals. In her current role at Alltech, Weaver helps producers and nutritionists of all species understand and manage mycotoxin risk.