Ryegrass staggers places limitations on the management alternatives available to farmers over the late summer/early autumn period. When severely affected stock are unable to be moved. Stock losses of 2~10% have been recorded in North Canterbury. The direct monetary loss to a farmer with 2000 ewes, with an additional 4% death rate in stock due to ryegrass staggers could be around $1440, about half of the farmer's total expenditure on animal health for the year. Severely affected animals may also experience a production loss due to their inability to graze. To attempt to reduce these losses by providing other feed alternatives is expensive. For example, two months feeding of hay if purchased, would cost $5400.
