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Discussion on Grazing on winter rye and/or winter wheat
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Member: Ginat
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 15, 2002 - 8:48 pm:
My question is as follows: Is it ok for horses to graze on rye thru the winter (I might plant winter wheat as well)? Is there anything I should know or be looking for? Will it hurt them to graze on it when it seeds out/seed head matures? I had been told that you could not let them graze on it once it gets its seed head on it. Thank you for your time and any information you can provide.
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Moderator: DrO
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Posted on Monday, Sep 16, 2002 - 7:45 am:
Are you talking about the plant that rye grain is obtained from (Secale sp.)or are you talking about ryegrass (Lolium sp.)? Both have their own set of problems. DrO
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Member: Ginat
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Posted on Monday, Sep 16, 2002 - 8:30 am:
Hello DrO I am talking about the rye cover crop that farmers use in winter. Or I can use the winter wheat cover? Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks Gina
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Moderator: DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Sep 17, 2002 - 2:45 am:
I am afraid there is both a annual ryegrass seed and the "grain" rye both used for this purpose but I think you are talking about the grain. The concern about rye seeds is the possibility of ergot fungus poisoning but this is also a problem with wheat seed heads I am afraid. How likely this is to occur is hard to judge but horses are a lot more resistant to ergot poisoning than ruminants and it is rarely reported in horses. Wet weather during flowering predisposes to the problem and the ergots can be seen. They are dark and about 1/2 inch long. They project from the seed heads. DrO
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Member: Hrskr8z
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Posted on Monday, Nov 4, 2002 - 9:34 pm:
Dear Dr. O You indicated "both" types have their problems. I have just seeded with ryegrass (Lolium sp.). What probelms might I have with my horses grazing?
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Moderator: DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2002 - 7:37 am:
Hello Kathryn, Did you use a perennial or annual ryegrass. Though both have some concerns, annual has never reported to cause problems in horses. Perennial Lolium sp however have endophytes that create toxins under certain conditions that can cause muscle tremors, stiffness, and ataxia in horses. I was surprised to find this hard to find in our referenced poisonous plant pages. I will write an article on this and see if I can get it up this week. DrO
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Member: Hrskr8z
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2002 - 10:35 am:
Dear DrO, Fortunetly I used annual. Yes, information is hard to find. Thank you for your response.
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