Experiences of ryegrass endophyte on farms on the East Coast of the North Island

Authors

  • G.D. Milne
  • A.H. Russell
  • J.R. Russell
  • S.W. Russell
  • P.A. Russell

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/rps.7.1999.3396

Abstract

A case study of a Hawke's Bay farm with a history of ryegrass staggers (RGS) and results of a survey of veterinarians from three regions are presented. A RGS outbreak in 1989 on the 'Tunanui' property at Sherenden resulted in the loss of 900 sheep and three cattle, with total costs estimated to be $61,000. There have been no severe outbreaks since then, despite similar climatic conditions occurring. The probable reason for this is a combination of improved awareness of RGS and conscious avoidance of the problems, and the indirect effects of other changes to farm management. The survey of veterinarians showed a rise in the prevalence of ryegrass endophyte related disorders in Manawatu and Waikato between the 1980s and 1990s, but no change for East Coast regions. Veterinarians spend very little time assisting clients with endophyte related problems, despite 41% of clients having problems. It is recommended that veterinarians provide more prevention advice to farmers, and farm management practices that successfully reduce RGS be promoted. Keywords: cattle, deaths, disorders, East Coast, farm, prevalence, remedies, ryegrass staggers, sheep, veterinarians

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Published

1999-01-01

How to Cite

Milne, G., Russell, A., Russell, J., Russell, S., & Russell, P. (1999). Experiences of ryegrass endophyte on farms on the East Coast of the North Island. NZGA: Research and Practice Series, 7, 33–37. https://doi.org/10.33584/rps.7.1999.3396

Issue

Vol. 7 (1999): Ryegrass Endophyte: An Essential NZ Symbiosis

Section

Past volumes

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Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rights granted to the New Zealand Grassland Association through this agreement are non-exclusive. You are free to publish the work(s) elsewhere and no ownership is assumed by the NZGA when storing or curating an electronic version of the work(s). The author(s) will receive no monetary return from the Association for the use of material contained in the manuscript. If I am one of several co-authors, I hereby confirm that I am authorized by my co-authors to grant this Licence as their agent on their behalf. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the rights to supply the article in electronic and online forms and systems.