Ergot Alkaloid Concentrations in High‐ and Low‐Moisture Tall Fescue Silage

Roberts, Craig; Davis, David K.; Looper, M. L.; Kallenbach, Robert L.; Rottinghaus, George E.; Hill, Nicholas S.

doi:10.2135/cropsci2013.05.0318

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Similarly, Blaney et al (2010) reported almost 50% degradation of dihydroergosine (0.85 to 0.46 mg/kg) in sorghum ensiled for 42 d. Furthermore, Roberts et al (2011) reported that ensiling tall fescue for 90 d reduced the ergovaline concentration by 57 and 60% in 2 experiments but increased concentration of total ergot alkaloids. Similarly, Roberts et al (2014) reported decreased ergovaline concentration (24 to 58%) in tall fescue ensiled for 100 d. However, increased concentrations of total ergot alkaloids in high-moisture tall fescue were observed. The reason for the increase in total ergot alkaloids is most probably because the degradation products of ergovaline, such as lysergic acid (Fribourg et al, 2009), also contributed to the total alkaloid concentration.…”

Section: Ergot Alkaloidsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Silage review: Animal and human health risks from silage

Driehuis

Wilkinson

Jiang

et al. 2018

Journal of Dairy Science

160

103

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Silage may contain several agents that are potentially hazardous to animal health, the safety of milk or other animal food products, or both. This paper reviews published literature about microbial hazards, plant toxins, and chemical hazards. Microbial hazards include Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium bovis, and various mold species. High concentrations of C. botulinum in silage have been associated with cattle botulism. A high initial concentration of C. botulinum spores in forage in combination with poor silage fermentation conditions can promote the growth of C. botulinum in silage. The elevated pH level that is generally associated with aerobic deterioration of silage is a major factor influencing concentrations of L. monocytogenes, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and molds in silage and may also encourage survival and growth of M. bovis, the bacterium that causes bovine tuberculosis. Soil is a major source of B. cereus spores in silage; growth of this bacterium in silage appears to be limited. Hazards from plant toxins include pyrrolizidine, tropane and tropolone alkaloids, phytoestrogens, prussic acid, and mimosine, compounds that exist naturally in certain plant species that may contaminate forages at harvesting. Another group of toxins belonging to this category are ergot alkaloids, which are produced by endophytic fungal species in forages such as tall fescue grass, sorghum, and ryegrass. Varying effects of ensiling on the degradation of these plant toxins have been reported. Chemical hazards include nitrate, nitrite, and toxic oxide gases of nitrogen produced from nitrate and high levels of butyric acid, biogenic amines, and ammonia. Chemical and microbiological hazards are associated with poorly fermented silages, which can be avoided by using proper silage-making practices and creating conditions that promote a rapid and sufficient reduction of the silage pH and prevent aerobic deterioration.

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Section: Ergot Alkaloidsmentioning

confidence: 84%

Silage review: Animal and human health risks from silage

Driehuis

Wilkinson

Jiang

et al. 2018

Journal of Dairy Science

160

103

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“…One possible explanation could be that total ergot alkaloid concentrations were determined by ELISA, which detects compounds known to be precursors in ergovaline synthesis (Schardl and Panaccione, 2005). It should be remembered that ergovaline concentration, determined by HPLC, does not always correspond to total ergot alkaloid concentration, determined by ELISA (Roberts et al, 2014). A second possible explanation could be that the ELISA method may also be detecting derivative products of ergovaline breakdown that could have occurred over the previous winter (Kallenbach et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical Distribution of Ergot Alkaloids in the Vegetative Canopy of Tall Fescue

et al. 2018

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Ergot alkaloids are toxins produced by Epichloë coenophiala (Morgan‐Jones & W. Gams) C.W. Bacon & Schardl, a fungal endophyte that infects tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] and causes fescue toxicosis in livestock. Previous studies have reported the distribution of ergovaline among anatomical parts during reproductive development. This study was conducted to determine the vertical distribution of ergovaline and total ergot alkaloids throughout the vegetative canopy of tall fescue. Between October 2012 and April 2014, whole tillers were harvested four times from a stand of Epichloë‐infected ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue near Alton, MO. Harvests occurred in April before boot stage and in October before killing frost. Tillers were sliced into four segments: 0 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 15, and >15 cm, where 0 cm was the soil level, and >15 cm was the top of the canopy. Segments were analyzed for ergovaline and total ergot alkaloids. For tillers harvested in April, ergovaline concentration averaged 272 μg kg−1 dry matter (DM) in the 0‐ to 5‐cm segment and decreased linearly upward through the canopy. In October, break‐point regression indicated that ergovaline concentration averaged 1121 μg kg−1 DM in the 0‐ to 5‐cm segment and ≥70% less above 5 cm. Total ergot alkaloid distribution patterns resembled ergovaline distribution in October; total ergot alkaloids averaged 2585 μg kg−1 DM in the 0‐ to 5‐cm segment and >60% less in the upper portion of the canopy. These findings should encourage field advisors to consider variation of toxicity within the canopy of tall fescue when formulating grazing recommendations.

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“…Historically, the relative toxicity of these forages has been assessed by quantifying either ergovaline (an ergopeptine alkaloid) or total ergot alkaloids; however, there have been only a limited number of assessments of tall fescue silages in this respect. Recently, Roberts et al (2015) evaluated tall fescue silages baled at high (65 to 68%) and low (34 to 40%) bale moistures at locations in northern and southern Missouri. Concentrations of ergovaline decreased by 24 to 58% as a result of ensiling, regardless of bale moisture or location; how- ever, total ergot alkaloids increased in high-moisture silages at both locations, but there was no change in concentrations within low-moisture baled silages.…”

Section: Other Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silage review: Recent advances and future technologies for baled silages

Coblentz

Akins

2018

Journal of Dairy Science

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Although the concept of ensiling large-round or large-square bales dates back to the late 1970s, many refinements have been made to both equipment and management since that time, resulting in much greater acceptance by small or mid-sized dairy or beef producers. This silage preservation technique is attractive to producers for several reasons, but the primary advantage is a reduced risk of weather damage to valuable forage crops compared with preservation as dry hay. Most core principles for making high-quality precision-chopped silages also apply to baled silages; among these, establishing and subsequently maintaining anaerobiosis are priorities. For baled silages, these priorities are critical, in part because recommended moisture concentrations (45 to 55%) are drier, and particle length is much longer. These factors act to restrict the rate and extent of silage fermentation, often resulting in less production of desirable fermentation acids and a greater (less acidic) final pH. Within this context, preservation of baled silages can be improved by applying polyethylene (PE) film wraps promptly, using an appropriate number of PE film layers (6 to 8), selecting a storage site free of sharp objects or other debris, and by monitoring wrapped bales closely for evidence of puncture, particularly by birds or vermin. Under certain conditions, such as those in which the bale moisture of highly buffered forages exceeds the recommended range, the heterogeneous nature of baled silages coupled with a restricted rate and extent of fermentation may increase susceptibility to clostridial activity compared with precision-chopped forages ensiled at comparable moisture concentrations. To date, research evaluating inoculants or other additives designed to improve the fermentation of challenging forages or aerobic stability has been limited, but should not be discontinued. Development of PE film embedded with an oxygen-limiting barrier has yielded positive results in some trials; however, most differences between these novel formulations and reputable commercial PE film have been related to decreases in yeast and mold counts at the surface layer. Related assessments of fermentation or nutritive value determined on a whole-bale basis have been less conclusive. Baled silages can be produced successfully by adhering to straightforward management principles; as such, this form of silage production is likely to remain popular for the foreseeable future.

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Ergot Alkaloid Concentrations in High‐ and Low‐Moisture Tall Fescue Silage

Cited by 9 publications

References 25 publications

Silage review: Animal and human health risks from silage

Silage review: Animal and human health risks from silage

Vertical Distribution of Ergot Alkaloids in the Vegetative Canopy of Tall Fescue

Silage review: Recent advances and future technologies for baled silages

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