Mow wild and escaped grasses and pastures, or graze pastures before they flower, to prevent ergot infections. Resistant commercial varieties of wheat, barley, rye or cultivated grasses are not available. However, some differences among varieties may occur, and those with long flowering periods may be more frequently infected. Effect of Ergot on Animals Ergot is toxic to animals. Animals consume ergot by eating the sclerotia present in contaminated feed.
All domestic animals are susceptible, including birds.
Cattle seem to be the most susceptible. Two well known forms of ergotism exist in animals, an acute form characterized by convulsions, and a chronic form characterized by gangrene. Claviceps purpurea , the common cause of ergot in North Dakota, is usually associated with gangrenous ergotism. Claviceps paspali , an ergot of Paspalum spp. Paspalum is a water grass distributed in pastures in southern states, but is not commonly found in North Dakota.