BROOKINGS, S.D. (WNAX) – The number of alfalfa cuttings along with the forage quality is down this year in many parts of South Dakota due to the continuing and excessive rain. SDSU Extension Range Management Specialist Sean Kelly says that constant rainfall has made getting quality forage a major challenge for producers.

He advises producers to be very cautious about the hay they’re purchasing.

Kelly says his office along with some other West river extension offices have been getting reports of the fungus (urr-gut) ergot showing up.

He says ergot is a difficult problem for producers to get a handle on.

Kelly says producers need to keep an eye on their cattle if they suspect they’ve gotten ergot as the toxic (al-kuh-loyd) alkaloid in it doesn’t go away even when temperatures drop below freezing.