Much of Kentucky’s pastures contain fescue, and while those pastures can appear lush and beautiful, they can also be dangerous for the animals that graze them. There is a fungus that co-exists with the fescue that produces compounds called ergot alkaloids that affect grazing animals’ physiology. One of the most studied of the ergot alkaloids is ergovaline.

Ergovaline is blamed for a wide range of issues in pregnant mares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, agalactia (no milk production), and mare and foal deaths. Pastures are routinely tested to evaluate ergovaline levels.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky (UK) and the UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) found that sample handling and storage methods affected ergovaline concentrations in tall fescue samples. Because property owners make costly decisions based on ergovaline analysis, it is important that analysis results be accurate.

In their study, the UK researchers subjected tall fescue samples to a variety of transportation and storage conditions to simulate actual situations horse owners and managers might face. Transportation conditions included in a cooler on ice or under ultraviolet (UV) lights to simulate the dashboard of a vehicle. Storage conditions included ambient temperature, refrigerator, and freezer storage for one to 28 days. They measured ergovaline concentrations using standard laboratory methods