Best Practices for Avoiding Ryegrass Staggers

  • Safer Endophytes: Use CM142 ryegrasses to reduce staggers risk.
  • Diverse Perennial Pastures: Oversow with clovers, plantain, and chicory.
  • Smart Grazing: Avoid hungry stock on fresh autumn ryegrass.

Ryegrass staggers is a preventable condition caused by toxic alkaloids (Lolitrem-B and Ergovaline) found in high-endophyte ryegrasses. These toxins affect the nervous system, leading to tremors, poor coordination, and, in severe cases, injury or death. The best approach is prevention—by carefully managing pasture selection, grazing strategies, and supplementary feeding, farmers can significantly reduce the risk to livestock.

Use Low-Endophyte or Safe Ryegrass Varieties

✔ Avoid planting wild-type (SE) endophyte ryegrasses, which produce high levels of toxic alkaloids.
✔ Instead, opt for ryegrasses with AR37 or CM142 endophytes, which provide superior persistence while significantly reducing the risk of staggers compared to SE (Standard Endophyte) and even Low Endophyte ryegrasses.
✔ CM142 endophyte provides strong pest resistance while offering markedly lower Lolitrem-B levels, reducing the risk of staggers. CM142 endophyte offers a safe and productive balance, minimizing animal health issues while maintaining pasture performance.

Pasture selections

Our top picks for reduced ryegrass staggers includes these CM142 ryegrasses:

With CM142 in these grasses, there’s an optimal concentration of the epoxy-janthitrem alkaloid, shown in trials to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of ryegrass staggers. Learn more about this endophyte here.

Increase Pasture Diversity

✔ Establish multi-species pastures by incorporating legumes, herbs, and alternative grass varieties to naturally dilute the presence of toxic ryegrass.
✔ Oversow existing paddocks with a balanced seed mix, including clovers, plantain, and chicory, to provide safer grazing options and reduce reliance on ryegrass, particularly during high-risk periods.
✔ During summer and early autumn, when ryegrass staggers are most prevalent, chicory and plantain serve as valuable alternative forages, offering a more balanced and safer feed source for livestock.

Mixes could include our Vatbuster plus Herbs and Long Term Multi Species Blend.

Rotate and Phase Out High-Risk Paddocks

✔ Identify and gradually replace paddocks known for staggers cases with safer pasture alternatives.
✔ Reduce the soil seed burden of high-endophyte ryegrass by managing weeds and reseeding with safe species.

Provide Staggers-Safe Paddocks for Young or Vulnerable Stock

✔ Allocate specific areas with safe pastures to youngstock, weaners, or heavily pregnant animals during peak risk periods.
✔ Rotate livestock away from toxic pastures when ryegrass is under stress (late summer and autumn).

Manage Grazing Pressure and Timing

✔ Avoid turning hungry stock onto fresh ryegrass regrowth in autumn, as they may graze aggressively and consume toxic concentrations in the base of the plant.
✔ Ensure livestock have access to alternative forages or roughage to reduce their reliance on high-risk pastures.

Avoid Feeding Contaminated Hay or Silage

✔ Hay and silage made from high-endophyte ryegrass retain toxins, so avoid using them during staggers season.
✔ When purchasing feed, ensure it comes from endophyte-free sources to prevent accidental exposure.

Reduce Stress in Grazing Animals

✔ Minimize sudden movements or loud noises that may startle affected stock.
✔ Avoid working livestock aggressively with dogs or vehicles, as stress can worsen symptoms.

What to Do If Symptoms Appear?

Even with the best precautions, cases may still occur. If animals show signs of staggers:
✔ Move them gently to a safe paddock with shade, water, and low-stress conditions.
✔ Prevent access to dams or waterways, as affected animals are prone to drowning.
✔ Recovery can take 1–2 days, but toxins may remain in their system for up to two weeks.

By proactively managing pasture selection, grazing strategies, and supplementary feeding, you can significantly reduce the risk of ryegrass staggers in your livestock.

If you need expert advice on staggers-safe pasture options, contact us today! 🚜