Ergot, a harmful fungal toxin in grain, is an increasing problem for the health of Canadian cows and quality of crops.
Ergot exposure negatively affects cows’ milk production and causes symptoms of gangrene, which means the flesh rots due to the decreased blood flow in the body. This leads to ear tips and tails falling off.
“In the most severe cases, animals lose their hooves and have to be put down, so there are economic losses for producers,” said University of Saskatchewan PhD student Vanessa Cowan. “It’s terrible. There is no treatment, except to stop eating contaminated grains.”
Cowan has found that beef cows that ate ergot-contaminated feed showed signs of poisoning even at concentrations deemed safe by Canadian livestock guidelines, and after a short-term exposure to the toxin.
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Image via University of Saskatchewan.