Breeding ability unaffected by ergot

Mar 01, 2023

A recently published study shows bulls can eat feed contaminated with ergot alkaloids without affecting their breeding soundness.

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found minimal impact on breeding condition and dispelled questions about the impact of ergot alkaloids.

“Our research group has been hearing about concerns from producers that bulls exposed to ergot was potentially affecting cows getting pregnant. There are a lot of question marks about that desire from producers to know if there’ll be an effect on the bulls,” said Vanessa Cowan, who holds a PhD in toxicology from the U of S and is completing her final year of veterinary medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon.

“It’s a gap in the scientific literature. Female reproduction is more well studied when it comes to exposure to ergot alkaloids, but there’s no consistently effected parameter in adult bulls. So, we’re really interested in trying to bridge the gap and hopefully provide some practical information to producers, veterinarians and regulators,” said Cowan.

Click here to see more...

Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.