Grass fungus may cause $1 billion in annual livestock production losses. Clemson University scientists are researching a grass fungus that may cause $1 billion in annual livestock production losses. The research is supported through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program. Tall fescue is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial grass that is commonly used for grazing, hay, and erosion control in the eastern United States. Scientists are investigating a fungus in the plant that creates compounds which are beneficial to the plants, but toxic to livestock.

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