Examine the seed heads of grasses in fence rows around hay and cereal grain fields from June to September. They reflect the potential presence of ergot in mature grass forages and grains already harvested. Clip infected pastures and fence rows with a rotary mower before grazing to shatter seed heads and ergot bodies. Because the effects of ergot are cumulative, avoid feeding contaminated feed over long periods and, especially, just before and after calving. The first sign of ergot infection in susceptible plants is sticky droplets oozing from infected florets at early bloom.
Some seeds simply fail to develop.
Ergot bodies mature about the same time as healthy seeds and are usually longer than the seeds. They may fall to the ground or, in cereal grain fields, be combined with grain. Ergot survives from season to season on plants in the grass-cereal grain family. For control, rotate infected fields to non-susceptible crops such as corn, legumes or sorghum for a year or longer. It is a good idea to plow under grass and cereal stubble after harvest to bury the sclerotia.