Comparing pasture samples from 2002 and 2003 didn’t associate mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) with anything other than the Eastern tent caterpillar. However, Wayne Long, MS, of the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Department of Agronomy, provided some insight on pasture management in Central Kentucky and stressed the dangers of tall fescue toxicosis. He presented field study results on pastures to a group of veterinarians and students on Jan. 20 at UK’s Gluck Center.

In 2002, more than 3,000 samples were analyzed for factors that could be attributed to MRLS, compared to 1,224 in 2003. There were 38 confirmed fetal losses (29 early fetal losses and nine late fetal losses on six farms) attributed to MRLS in 2002, and no losses attributed to MRLS on farms that were selected for analysis in 2003. Nine farms in 2002 were examined on an emergency basis (veterinarians or farm owners observed losses and requested sampling) compared to five in 2003. Compared to 30 losses in 2002, there were only three in 2003–one was a suspected late fetal loss, and two were probably associated with fescue toxicosis, said Long