Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.