What is Sorghum Ergot Alkaloid?

Ergot fungi have been known to be toxic to both livestock and humans for several hundred years. The infamous witch-hunts of the middle ages were attributed to the consumption of ergot-contaminated rye bread by common folk. Sorghum ergot alkaloid (SEA) was first detected in Australia in 1996 and the following year both pigs and feedlot cattle were affected with SEA toxicity in the Biloela and Monto areas in Queensland.

The ergot sclerote is similar in size to the sorghum grain but tends to be darker, thinner and pointed. The occurrence of SEA is significantly affected by the weather conditions during the sorghum crops growth and flowering phases. Cold, wet weather favours infection by ergot and thus, crops planted late in the sowing season tend to be more at risk.

Due to last years drought during the normal sorghum planting season, a good deal of the 2003 sorghum harvest is late and will be at an even greater risk of SEA contamination. The Dangers of SEA Ergot alkaloid affects the sow' ... more.

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