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Scientists make breakthrough in tackling toxic weeds
Understanding the link between certain weeds and the fungus would benefit the health of livestock across the world.

The project aims to combat the fatal effects of locoweeds to livestock.

Researchers in Wales have made significant progress in efforts to prevent weeds from poisoning livestock.

Working in collaboration with Northwest University, China, the team from Aberystwyth University has been examining why some weeds become toxic when a certain fungus grows inside them.

The fungus, Alternaria Oxytropis, lives inside locoweed plants, like Oxytropis and Astragalus, creating a poison that can be fatal to livestock. Through their investigations, the researchers have been instrumental in understanding how the fungus and plant interact, and can explain how the toxin develops in this fungus.

The mycotoxin harms the normal biochemical processes in animals like horses and sheep, leading to neurological illness and death. Farmers in nations like the United States and China are most affected by the issue, as governments and industry use pesticides to eradicate the hazardous weeds at a significant financial and environmental cost.

New Zealand faced a similar problem in ryegrass 20 years ago, which was solved through the successful selection of toxin-free endophyte strains.

Professor Luis Mur from Aberystwyth University said: “We are working to try to understand the symbiosis between these weeds and the fungus. By understanding the relationship, we can look to produce non-toxic strains. Not only would this be good for the health of livestock and for farmers around the world, it would also reduce herbicide use. There are major environmental as well as economic and animal health benefits from cracking the code.”

“Our research is focussing on trying to kick the fungus out of this plant. The success in New Zealand in producing strains of ryegrass that do not turn toxic is an example for us to follow.”

Dr Wei He from Northwest University in China added: “Understanding the relationship between the plant and the fungus is very important to Chinese agriculture. Thanks to the collaborative research with Aberystwyth University, we have helped understand the mechanisms through which plant and fungus interact. Importantly, we have helped to describe how the toxin is produced in this fungus.

“We are confident our ongoing collaboration will help deal with the detrimental effects of locoweeds to livestock.”

Image © Dr Wei He / Prof. Baoyu Zhao

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.