One plant disease to keep a lookout for when harvesting grains and grasses for animal and human consumption is ergot. The ergot pathogen generates toxic alkaloids that potentially could create problems with livestock feeding, and when trying to market a small grain crop. The Crop Protection Network recently published an article outlining six things to be aware/mindful of when harvesting your small grains, including:
- Diagnosis
- Favorable conditions
- Potential dangers
- Inflected grain uses
- Ergot in pastures
- Ergot in grain
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