A SAFE FESCUE FOR HORSES

Pennington Seed Announces Positive Results
In Preliminary University Testing of Max-Q for Horses.

Non-toxic Endophyte Tall Fescue May Offer Health Improvements to Horses

When managed properly, MaxQ(TM) has proven itself in toughness and persistence under extreme conditions such as drought and heavy grazing during drought conditions. It will also eliminate the problems associated with fescue toxicosis. This ensures an immediate and long-lasting improvement in the overall health of the herd. This is exactly what the cattle producer is looking for -- higher average daily weight gains, increased productivity and greater profit potential. Similar health benefits are now being recorded in horses through extensive university testing.

Traditionally, pregnant mares are removed from fescue pastures due to problems associated with fescue toxicosis, which affects gestation and milk production and causes dystocia (foaling difficulty). These difficulties have long been associated with inadequate preparation of the reproductive tract, sometimes leading to prolonged gestation and fetal malpresentation.

Preliminary results released recently by Mississippi State University concerning the effects of MaxQ(TM) on pregnant mares appear to be just as positive as the benefits of MaxQ(TM) to the cattle industry. So far, the testing has shown no negativity for mares grazing on the non-toxic endophyte fescue, while severe problems have developed in those grazing on traditional fescue infected with toxic endophytes.

Researcher Dr. Peter Ryan of MSU noted the following results:

• Mares on the toxic fescues were shown to develop heavier placentas. This serious condition causes unborn foals to have difficulty receiving oxygen through the thick placenta. Mares grazing on MaxQ(TM) fescue did not show the thickening of the placenta.
• All pregnant mares on toxic fescue showed no mammary gland development while mares on MaxQ(TM) showed normal mammary gland development.
• The gland responsible for milk production in pregnant mares grazing on toxic fescue also showed lower prolactin gland hormone levels. These mares showed dramatically lower milk levels than average. Pregnant mares on MaxQ(TM) were unaffected by prolactin gland hormone changes.
• Foaling dates of the mares on the toxic fescues were up to three weeks later than expected. The birthing of these foals was very difficult and all births were assisted. In contrast, the mares grazing the MaxQ(TM) all foaled close to expected dates.

Fescue toxicity has long been an issue for horses, sheep and cattle. Endophyte-free varieties were developed, but they suffered from reduced plant hardiness and survival. MaxQ(TM) was developed by researchers in New Zealand who were searching for a way to reduce the negative aspects of fescue while retaining the strengths. Instead of trying to take an endophyte-free plant and make it more persistent, they decided to develop an endophyte-infected plant that was non-toxic. The New Zealand group then began to work with researchers at The University of Georgia and The University of Tennessee. The result was MaxQ(TM), which produced the chemicals needed for drought, insect, and disease resistance but did not produce the alkaloids that caused animal problems.

Having persistence and animal performance in the same fescue may have once been a dream -- with MaxQ(TM) from Pennington Seed it appears that the dream has come true.

Read more on MaxQ Planting Tips

SOURCE: Pennington Seed, Inc. - www.penningtonseed.com