[Jacob-list] Endophyte infected fescue and horn development - Neal?

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/23/2005 7:01:11 PM Central Standard Time, 
patchworkfibers at alltel.net writes:

> This topic was brought up a few years back and I remember comments on the 
> effects of infected fescue on horn and hoof development.  We do feed both 
> fescue and bermuda hay. It's hard to get away from fescue in our area.  I've been 
> pretty happy with the horn growth on my lambs, but there is an occasional 
> lamb that develops horns slowly - but does catch up.  I've seen pix of my lambs 
> that are not being fed infected fescue and their horn development is more 
> developed than the twin that has stayed and been fed fescue.  By two years old, 
> the twins are very similar. 
>  
> Does feeding infected fescue only slow horn growth or does it damage growth 
> to the point that those horns will never be as strong?  Thirteen years ago, I 
> bought a ewe that exhibited terrible hoof separation.  She had been fed 
> infected fescue from birth (well, since before birth, I guess, since that's all 
> her dam got).  I was feeding fescue hay and our grass was fescue.  That ewe's 
> lambs all had the foot problems.  None of my unrelated sheep showed any 
> problem.  Is an intolerance to infected fescue genetic?  Once I culled that entire 
> line, I never had another problem, even though I'm still feeding fescue 
> along with bermuda.
> 
> Linda
> 
> 

I know that this was specifically noted for Neal to answer and it is a rather 
complex issue.  Basically, the answer is yes; hoof and horn development can 
be affected by fesuce and certainly endophyet infected fescue.  The exposure to 
lush/moisture laden pasture (often in the Spring and the new lamb crop), 
particullarly fescue and even rye grass and clover, can have adverse effects.  The 
fescue ergots tend to reduce blood flow and this reduced blood flow is more 
often seen in hoof and horn development.  The problem is a stomach (rumen?) 
problem related to the uptake of copper andf zinc which are necessary for the 
blood system and the formation of keratin.  Endophyte fescue as weel as rye and 
clover, espcecially when it is lush and wet allows the sheep to eat pasture 
without as much saliva as would be used on a dry, less lush pasture.  

There are other factors including "grain feeding" that throws pasture 
mangement and protein and fiber daily needs out of balance.  There may also be a 
genetic issue by individual or family altho I am not aware of any literature.  
What is environmental and episodic and what is genetic for the ewe is unclear. 
Related literature is primarily on cattle; Holsteins being somewhat predisposed 
to hoof problems and diet.

Fred Horak

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