Program Tall fescue endophyte toxicosis affects more than two million beef cattle in the state, causing producers significant economic losses. TAES researchers are addressing their combined expertise in the areas of beef cattle reproductive physiology, plant physiology, and the effect of the syndrome on cattle at the cellular level. The goal is to develop a drug or vaccine that will alleviate the distress of the cattle. UTK Fescue Team Research on dogwood anthracnose, a disease that threatens the state's multimillion-dollar nursery industry,has shown that trees naturally occuring in our forests are more at rick than their landscaped relatives.
Research continues toward breeding anthracnose-resistant dogwoods.