Farmers Warned of Dangers of Fungi to Livestock

Farmers that raise livestock are being alerted to the possibility of harm that two forms of fungus found in grain, fusarium and ergot, might cause to their animals.

Ergot is especially poisonous and can cause significant illness in humans and animals. It can harm wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and oats.

It can cause blood vessel constriction, harm to the neurological system, decreased muscle strength, impaired coordination, and, in the worst situations, even death. The first symptom is frequently lameness, which will be followed by a rise in body temperature and respiration rate.

Ollie Johnson, AHDB head of farming systems, commented: “At harvest, ergot can be found as a hard, black mass in place of the grain and can be mistaken in a heap for rodent faeces.

He continued: “The only effective way to remove it from a pile is by using a colour sorter which can be sourced through many mobile seed treatment companies.’’

Fusarium may infect maize as well as every other significant cereal crops. It produces mycotoxins and is especially harmful to people and animals. Fusarium poisoning in cattle can induce gastrointestinal discomfort, impair immune system function, and decrease feed intake through decreased appetite.