Florida

New World Screwworm Map & 2026 Spread Predictions

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:18:53 GMT

As social media fills with maps and predictions about how far New World screwworm might spread this summer, many livestock producers are asking the same question: When will it get to me?

According to Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist, that’s the wrong place to start. “I think everybody’s kind of bracing for when will it get to me, and I don’t think that we really know,” she says.

She argues producers should focus on how the pest moves and what management steps can slow it down or keep it out of their herds in the first place.

Meteorologist Matt Makens explains weather patterns act as both a barrier and bridge for screwworm activity. For producers, that may be the most important line to keep in mind through the rest of the warm season.

How Temperature and Rainfall Affect Screwworm Survival

Weather does not just influence screwworm activity — it helps determine where the pest can survive, reproduce and spread.

Makens explains temperature thresholds can dictate screwworm development. Pupa development cannot proceed below about 58°F and halts above 110°F, while adult survival and reproduction are most favorable around 81.5°F. That means much of the southern U.S. is warm enough during summer to support at least temporary fly survival and movement. But heat alone does not tell the full story.

“While temperature defines where screwworms can survive, rainfall and moisture influence when and how intensely they can thrive,” Makens adds. In other words, many areas may be warm enough, but not every area will be equally favorable.

For producers trying to judge risk, moisture may be the deciding factor.

“Outbreaks often follow moderate to heavy rainfall by improving conditions for larval survival,” Makens says. “When rainfall coincides with favorable temperatures, screwworm activity tends to increase.”

In contrast, hot and dry conditions tend to suppress survival and reproduction. That is an important distinction for livestock producers who may assume the hottest areas automatically face the greatest danger. Makens suggests the higher-risk zone is really where warmth and wetness overlap — especially where recent rainfall has improved soil moisture and where livestock are exposed through wounds or other openings attractive to egg-laying flies.

Makens stresses, “The fly can’t live without water and dry soil is no good for their larvae.”

That means producers should watch not only temperatures, but also rainfall patterns, wet soils, humidity and any shift toward a more tropical summer setup.

Screwworm Migration Patterns: The Role of the North American Monsoon

Weather can do more than create suitable habitat — it can also physically help move the pest northward.

“One of the primary ways to move the fly, other than animal transport, is the weather,” Makens says, pointing specifically to the North American Monsoon, describing it as “a dominant source of migration.”

That monsoon pattern generally develops from late spring into summer and shifts winds into a more southerly, moisture-rich flow across Mexico and into parts of the Southwest and southern High Plains. He adds wind-assisted movements created an atmospheric “conveyor belt” that, in past outbreak years, helped reconnect infestations in the Southwest with source populations farther south.

For producers, that means concern should not be limited to locations immediately adjacent to current infestations. If winds, moisture and temperatures line up, the pest could move well beyond the border region.

The broader weather pattern matters, Makens summarizes, but so does what is happening in each pasture and pen. Screwworm is most likely to move north not in a uniform wave, but in jumps — following corridors where heat, moisture and wind align.

Why We Can’t “Draw a Line” to Where Screwworm Goes Next

Olds says predicting screwworm migration with precision goes well beyond a simple climate map.

“To actually predict, you need fairly sophisticated models that take into account the number of eggs that a fly can lay, the number of flies in the population, how far a fly can move, animal movements and things like that,” she explains. “Realistically, it’s incredibly difficult to predict how fast it’s going to spread.”

Historic data gives rough guidance on how far the flies themselves can move.

“We have some data, right, like 0.75 to 1.25 miles a day is average dispersal in previous outbreaks,” Olds notes. “But that really depends on conditions and how big your population is.”

Landscape also matters. Olds says NWS flies don’t like to cross bodies of water, so major rivers and other barriers can slow natural spread. But those biological and landscape limits are only half the story.

How Livestock Transport Spreads Screwworm Outbreaks

In addition to natural fly dispersal, livestock movements can pick the parasite up in one region and plant it in another.

“To predict where it’s going to go really depends on whether you’ve got fly movement and animal movement, or a combination of both,” Olds summarizes.

In other words, trucks can leapfrog flies. That’s one of the biggest reasons no one can honestly tell a producer in Kansas, Oklahoma or farther north that “their turn” will come in a certain month or year.

“I don’t think it’s as easy as, yeah, Kansas will get it next year, or Oklahoma will get it next year, or next month,” she stresses. “The only way we know is once it starts behaving — once we can start watching it in Texas — then we can make predictions about how it may spread further out.”

How Producer Behavior Can Speed Or Slow Screwworm Spread

Human decisions might matter as much as weather and biology.

Olds warns failure to report infestations and comply with control measures could dramatically accelerate spread. That puts producers in the position of front‑line risk managers. Reporting and allowing treatment might be inconvenient, but Olds says it’s also the best way to keep the parasite from marching across the map.

Making Sense of Social Media Maps

(Texas Tested Seeds & Plants)

One viral graphic, pictured above, created by Beverly Thomas of Texas Tested Seeds & Plants attempts to predict the potential NWS range based on climate suitability and historical data.

Thomas admits she is not an expert: “I’m just reporting what’s happening and going by historical references.”

Her post says: “The threat is divided into two distinct biological zones…where the fly can live *permanently*, and how far north it can march during the warm months. The ‘Summer Dispersal Zone’ — NWS can reach Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and further north via wind/livestock. The ‘Overwintering Zone’ where NWS could become permanently established in South/Central Texas & Gulf Coast areas due to mild winters. Winter is the ultimate limiting factor because screwworm pupae can’t survive hard, prolonged soil freezes. However, the winters of the 2020s are significantly milder than those of the 1950s when eradication began. The new reality is that the permanent, year-round survival zone is no longer confined safely to Southern Mexico. South Texas, the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Gulf Coast could now be treated as year-round establishment zones. Many entomologists believe that warmer winter trends will allow the permanent NWS overwintering line to push into Central Texas and across the deep Southeast (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida).”

Thomas’ map predicts:

Critical/Active Regions: South Texas, Lower Rio Grande Valley. High humidity and thick brush provide ideal habitat. The parasite can easily establish a year-round lifecycle here if not eradicated quickly.
High Risk Regions: Central/East Texas, Gulf Coast, Coastal Louisiana, Southern Florida. These areas are at high vulnerability for permanent establishment. Mild modern winters mean soil temperatures rarely drop low enough for long enough periods of time to kill burrowed pupae.
Moderate Risk Regions: Northern Texas (Dallas/Panhandle), Oklahoma, Arkansas. These areas have a high vulnerability for summer infestation. While winter freezes will reliably clear out populations annually, unchecked spring/summer migrations could trigger devastating seasonal outbreaks.

Olds reviewed the map and says it is directionally reasonable, but producers should understand what it is — and what it’s not.

“If you have a suitable climate and a way for the fly to get there, a population can establish,” she says. “Suitable climates are different than what they were historically because we’ve got changing climate conditions.”

She notes climate change and cattle movement mean today’s “at‑risk” zone may be broader than the historical endemic area.

“A large part of the United States is at risk. We know what it was historically. This may have changed because climate conditions are different now,” she says. “I don’t think this map is super alarmist, it’s probably close enough, as much as we can be at this early stage.”

For producers, that means maps can illustrate potential climate and geographic risk, but they don’t provide a day‑by‑day forecast for when screwworm will show up at the ranch gate.

Practical Risk Management: What Producers Can Do Now

Since no one can reliably answer “when,” Olds recommends reframing the question: How do I reduce the risk of introduction and spread in my herd and region?

She highlights three practical steps to reduce risk:

Control Movements Out of Infested Areas. “The management of risk is making sure we aren’t having cattle leave infested areas that have not been inspected because that’s the fastest way to get it to seed somewhere else,” she explains.
Inspect New Arrivals. “Monitor any cattle that you receive to make sure they don’t have it, so you’re curbing also the infestation,” she adds. That means working with veterinarians, checking animals closely — especially any wounds — and asking questions about origin and treatment history before cattle are commingled.
Track Confirmed Cases Through Official Channels. Rather than relying only on social feeds, Olds points producers to official reporting: “Watch the screwworm.gov website because they are going to report every single case, so then you’ll be able to gauge month by month, it’s moving here.”

She says following those steps allows producers to distinguish between natural fly expansion risk and introduction risk. For livestock producers in the Texas counties surrounding current outbreaks, she says the priorities are heightened vigilance and wound monitoring.

The Takeaway: Manage Risk Now, Don’t Wait for Certainty

The science isn’t yet able to offer producers a neat line on a map or a firm date on the calendar. But Olds’ message is that uncertainty about timing does not mean inaction.

While NWS’s exact migration path will depend on climate, flies, cattle movements and human behavior, producers can act now: Report cases, cooperate with control efforts, tighten biosecurity on cattle movements and stay current on official updates.

Or, as Olds puts it, instead of focusing on when, focus on: “What am I doing today to keep it from getting here at all?”

Florida Siblings Carve Out Their Own Roles On The Dairy

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:57:23 GMT

Milking R Dairy in Okeechobee, Fla., stands as a testament to the harmony of tradition and innovation. With roots deeply embedded in agricultural legacy and a forward-thinking approach, the Rucks family is crafting a new chapter in the story of their enduring family business. At the helm of this transformative journey are Garrett and Lindsey Rucks, a brother and sister duo, who, supported by their family and modern advancements, are redefining what it means to be part of a multigenerational farm.

(Milking R Dairy, NEDAP)

Legacy in Motion
Garrett is intricately involved in the day-to-day operations of Milking R Dairy. Whether managing crop production, maintaining the farm or overseeing the beef cow operations passed down through generations, Garrett’s understanding of farm logistics is unparalleled. His passion for preserving and progressing the family legacy runs deep, having spent his formative years under the watchful eyes of his grandfather and father.

From a young age, Garrett was steeped in farm life, learning the ropes by working alongside his family.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to college and wanted to stay here and farm,” he reflects.

This practical education has paved the way for this 32-year-old to take on the general manager role, leading Milking R Dairy with dedication and vision.

“Family is really important to us,” he says. “Farming is part of who we are, and I want to keep that legacy going.”

Garrett grew up by his father’s side and reflecting back, he would not have had it any other way.

“My whole life I was outside, on a tractor or working with cows, you name it; anything I could do, I was doing,” he says. “I’m very fortunate as my dad gave me a lot of reins, and I could try different things. I was also very fortunate as my family was always working by my side.”

The older Garrett got and the longer he was involved in the operation, the more managerial role he would take on — eventually getting to the position he is in now. Milking R Dairy thrives as a cohesive team environment, supported by the unwavering dedication of its 24 employees, some of whom have been working with the Rucks family for decades.

Garrett maintains a strong bond with his team, understanding their shared goal is the dairy’s success.

“I’ve worked with them for years and some for decades, and because of that, there is a sense of friendship. They want to see our dairy succeed as much as we do,” he adds.

(Milking R Dairy, NEDAP)

Innovation with Tradition
Milking R Dairy’s recent innovations, such as the construction of a 54-cow rotary parlor and the use of smart technology such as Nedap sort gates and smart tag ear activity system in 2024, demonstrate their commitment to merging tradition with technology. These advancements have streamlined operations, allowing the family to focus more on what matters most: the health and well-being of their cattle.

One upgrade has been monitoring cows remotely.

“When I’m not here, I can look at the computer and see cow flow, milk weights and herd health,” Garrett says, reassuring how the employees are dedicated to caring for the cows.

He says it is nice to focus on the cows that need attention and not disrupt the entire barn, but that doesn’t take away the need for good cow sense.

“It’s great to incorporate technology into the picture, although good cow knowledge goes a long way,” he adds.

Heart of the Farm
Innovation has not only extended to technology; it has also extended to business diversification. The family’s venture into bottling their own milk and producing ice cream has provided additional financial security and fulfilled a dream long held by Garrett’s father, Sutton. The agritourism sector of the farm, born amid the COVID-19 pandemic, further showcases their adaptability, welcoming the public to experience farm life firsthand.

Much like her brother Garrett, Lindsey is no stranger to the rigorous demands of farm life. With her deep-rooted passion for both agriculture and communication, Lindsey spearheads the farm’s marketing and social media initiatives. Her efforts to share Milking R Dairy’s story with a broader audience have not only helped establish the farm’s brand but have enhanced public understanding of the dairy industry.

“Our family’s journey in building this brand has been deeply fulfilling,” she says. “By producing minimally processed milk, crafting premium ice cream and providing fresh beef, we’ve established a legacy that reflects our dedication to quality and family values. This endeavor stands as a tribute to our heritage and a foundation for future generations.”

(Pictured from left) Garrett, Kris, Sutton and Lindsey Rucks are continuing the legacy of Milking R Dairy through technology upgrades and diversified offerings.

(Milking R Dairy, NEDAP)

Future Plans
As the Rucks family looks forward, they aspire to one day have all of their herd’s milk featured under their own labels, reflecting their meticulous attention to quality and local production.

And, despite obstacles such as Florida’s scorching summers affecting production, Garrett remains optimistic.

“It’s a team environment and team success even on tough days,” he says.

Garrett does admit operations become extra challenging to dairy during June to October when weather conditions become hot and humid.

“The longevity of the heat stress takes a toll on the herd. Our cows acclimate well to the weather, but heat is still a big factor impacting production and reproduction,” he shares, adding that their conception rates drop 6% to 8% in the summertime.

Despite the challenges that face this family-run dairy, the next generation’s focus on fine-tuning operations and taking calculated risks is testament to the wisdom passed down from their father.

Garrett says he has learned a lot from the older generation and adds a lot of those moments happened while working. And for many, like this young Florida dairy farmer, the love of dairying goes beyond just a profession.

“Like most dairy farmers, I love being outside and working alongside the family and the constant motion of all that needs to be done. Dairying gets in your blood,” he says, underscoring how the demands of the farm are relentless, requiring a deep passion and commitment that is often inherited.

Garrett goes on to reflect upon some of the valuable advice he’s received.

“My father always reminded me to be persistent. That it’s good to take risks, but you better know when to put your foot on the gas and when to hit the brakes,” he says.

One of the cornerstones of this family’s success is their unity and mutual respect. The siblings say despite the inevitable stress of managing a farm at this level, they never have had a big blow-up argument.

“We know everyone’s hot buttons, yet we are all on the same page,” Garrett and Lindsey say. “We have the same goals in mind, and at the end of the day, we are respectful to one another.”

This respectful dynamic within the family not only ensures a harmonious work environment but also sets a strong example of leadership and cooperation. It reinforces the belief that while individual roles may vary, the collective goal remains constant.

“Watching our children grow up immersed in our family’s traditions and then choosing to continue them fills us with immense pride,” Sutton and his wife, Kris, share. “Their dedication to carrying our legacy is the most rewarding achievement we could hope for.”

The sibling duo expresses true gratitude for their journey and the opportunity provided by their forefathers. Continuing this legacy, they are proud of what they all have built, knowing their parents are just as proud, recalling the opportunities passed down through generations. The farm stands as a testament to their shared vision — a living legacy of passion in dairying.

(Milking R Dairy, NEDAP)

Atypical BSE Confirmed in Florida Cow

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 05:54:04 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the discovery of an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a six year-old mixed-breed beef cow in Florida. USDA says the animal never entered the slaughter channels and never presented a risk to the food supply, or to human health in the United States.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said it is working closely with USDA on the case.

“This detection shows just how well our surveillance system works. We’re grateful to our partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture who work alongside us day in and day out to conduct routine surveillance and protect consumers,” stated Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

Atypical BSE is different than classical BSE, and it generally occurs in older cattle and seems to arise rarely and spontaneously in all cattle populations.

“The atypical form of BSE identified in this case is very different from classical BSE and is believed to occur spontaneously. These cases occur very rarely in cattle populations and are not the result of contaminated feedstuffs,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) chief veterinarian Kathy Simmons.

The news of the BSE discovery had little – if any – impact on cattle markets Wednesday. CME August cattle futures were up slightly mid-morning, with deferred contracts modestly lower. CME August feeder cattle also traded higher, with deferred contracts down slightly.

The Florida case is the sixth confirmed BSE detection in the United States.

Of the five previous U.S. cases, the first, in 2003, was a case of classical BSE in a cow imported from Canada; the rest have been atypical (H- or L-type) BSE.

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed that the Florida cow was positive for atypical H-type BSE. The animal was initially tested at the Colorado State University (CSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (a National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory) as part of routine surveillance of cattle that are deemed unsuitable for slaughter.

BSE is not contagious and exists in two types - classical and atypical. Classical BSE is the form that occurred primarily in the United Kingdom, beginning in the late 1980’s, and it has been linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in people. The primary source of infection for classical BSE is feed contaminated with the infectious prion agent, such as meat-and-bone meal containing protein derived from rendered infected cattle. Regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have prohibited the inclusion of mammalian protein in feed for cattle and other ruminants since 1997 and have also prohibited high risk tissue materials in all animal feed since 2009.

Atypical BSE is different, and it generally occurs in older cattle, usually 8 years of age or greater. It seems to arise rarely and spontaneously in all cattle populations.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recognizes the U.S. as negligible risk for BSE. As noted in the OIE guidelines for determining this status, atypical BSE cases do not impact official BSE risk status recognition as this form of the disease is believed to occur spontaneously in all cattle populations at a very low rate. Therefore, this finding of an atypical case will not change the negligible risk status of the United States, and should not lead to any trade issues.

“Consumers can rest assured that the U.S. continues to be the global leader in the production of safe and wholesome high-quality beef,” Simmons said.

The United States has a longstanding system of interlocking safeguards against BSE that protects public and animal health in the United States, the most important of which is the removal of specified risk materials - or the parts of an animal that would contain BSE should an animal have the disease - from all animals presented for slaughter. The second safeguard is a strong feed ban that protects cattle from the disease. Another important component of our system - which led to this detection - is our ongoing BSE surveillance program that allows USDA to detect the disease if it exists at very low levels in the U.S. cattle population.

More information about this disease is available in the BSE fact sheet .

More information on the developing story can be found below:

Select Sires Reveals Cooperative Merger Creating Premier Select Sires

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 05:53:45 GMT

Combining forces, the Select Sire Power, Inc. and Southeast Select Sires, Inc. will officially become one and renamed Premier Select Sires, Inc. effective Jan. 1, 2019.

The same specialists who currently serve beef and dairy customers will continue to support their local member-owners, only as part of a larger team with a wider network of in-house support, according to Select Sires. Premier Select Sires will combine the territories of the two previous cooperatives, covering a total of 23 states.

These states include:

Maine
Vermont
Maryland
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Delaware
Connecticut
New York
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Rhode Island
West Virginia
Virginia
North Carolina
Florida
Kansas
Tennessee
Arkansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Alabama
Georgia
And Washington DC

“Premier Select Sires is the result of combining two financially strong cooperatives in order to benefit both memberships with pooled resources. We look forward to working together to continue to be the Premier genetic provider,” said Tim Riley, General Manager of Southeast Select Sires, in a press release.

Because of an aligned set of strengths and goals, the boards of Select Sire Power and Southeast Select Sires unanimously approved the affiliation agreement.

“This is a very exciting time for both organizations and we look forward to charting a successful future together. The larger cooperative will allow us to provide greater diversity of products and services to meet the modern needs of beef and dairy producers throughout our territory,” said Mark Carpenter, General Manager of Select Sire Power and future CEO of Premier Select Sires.

This is not the first merger the company has experienced throughout the past two years. In June 2017, Select Sires and Accelerated Genetics announced that Select Sires would acquire the assets of Accelerated Genetics.

This news also comes after the announcement of the holding companies Alta Genetics and GENEX forming their new organization, URUS. The intent to merge Koepon Holding BV and Cooperative Resources International (CRI) was first announced last December. Included in the merger are the following companies: AgSource , Alta Genetics , GENEX , Jetstream Genetics , PEAK/GENESIS , SCCL and VAS .

Summer is the Time to Scout for Forage Diseases

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:12:08 GMT

With the hot, humid and rainy return of summer, livestock producers can expect forage leaf and root diseases outbreaks in pastures. Some of our most common forage diseases come from fungal organisms, but fungicides are rarely applied due to cost and label restrictions on livestock grazing. Grass forages can be attacked by foliar or soil-borne fungal diseases.

Fig. 1. Bipolaris infected bermudagrass. Moderate infection on bermudagrass leaves (1a) and in the stand (1b). Photo by Cheryl Mackowiak and Ann Blount

One of the most commonly identified foliar diseases in our summer pastures is leaf blight, also known as Bipolaris or Helminthosporium (Bipolaris cynodontis). It is often found in bermudagrass, star grass, and limpograsses, but not as much in bahiagrass. Early symptoms appear as dark brown specks that enlarge over time into irregular blotches or lesions as the disease progresses (Fig. 1 above). Grazing or mowing off the field (removes the fungal inoculant) helps to limit damage, but also reinforces the need to review your fertilizer practices. Low soil potassium and/or sulfur is quite often associated with these outbreaks.

Fig. 2. Rust in bahiagrass. Rust pustules on individual leaves (2a) and in the stand (2b). Photo by Cheryl Mackowiak and Ann Blount

Leaf rust (Puccinia cynodontis) is a foliar fungal disease that attacks bermudagrass, star grass, and limpograss. This disease is most often observed from mid to late summer. The disease begins as small, dark brown to orange specks (pustules), similar in appearance to Bipolaris when observed from a distance (Fig. 2). However, if observed with a magnifying glass, you may notice that the pustules are raised above the leaf surface (Fig. 2). Sometimes they will leave an orange-brown residue (spores) on your fingers when you rub the leaves. Alicia and Jiggs bermudagrass tend to be more prone to rust. Grazing or cutting off the inoculant and managing for adequate potassium and sulfur soil fertility sometimes helps to minimize damage.

Fig. 3. Dollar Spot in bahiagrass. Infection of leaves (3a) and in a thinning stand (3b). Photo by Cheryl Mackowiak and Ann Blount

A common foliar fungal disease in bahiagrass is Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia homoeocarpa), but it is much less prevalent in the Argentine (wider leaf) variety. Pensacola, Tifton-9, Tif-Quik, and UF-Riata are examples of more susceptible varieties. The disease begins with dead and dying leaf blade tips and tan lesions further down the leaf blade (Fig. 3). Dollar spot can spread quickly under ideal conditions and it is not uncommon to lose large swaths or entire fields to the disease over several weeks, if it is not managed. Disease expression is strongest under moderate to warm temperatures, high humidity, soils that have been periodically dry, with excessive thatch residue. Deferred grazing or hay cuttings leading to rank growth that can also lead to outbreaks. Grazing or cutting to remove the inoculum may reduce disease spread and helps with recovery. Balanced soil fertility also helps.

Fig. 4. Take-All disease in bahiagrass. Beginning of root die-back (Fig. 4a) and eventual stand loss (Fig. 4b). Photo by Cheryl Mackowiak and Ann Blount

There are several fungal root diseases that may infect our summer forage grasses. Early symptoms of an outbreak can appear as small to large circles of weak or dying forage (Fig. 4) or you might observe bright yellow leaves (looks like iron deficiency) in the case of bahiagrass (Fig. 5). Root fungal diseases identified by the UF-IFAS Plant Pathology Diagnostic lab in 2018 this far include Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Take-All (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. avenae), root rot type diseases. Take-All is particularly insidious because it may infect a field in the fall, near the time of plant dormancy and go unnoticed until the next spring or early summer, when the stand is already severely damaged. High pH soils (above 6.5) with low manganese fertility have sometimes been associated with Take-All outbreaks in turf grasses. Further study on the most damaging root rot diseases impacting forage grasses and management options to lessen their impact is needed.

There is good news! Forage producers can often lessen the occurrence and impact of pasture fungal diseases by managing for optimal soil fertility. Sampling soils every year or so and following the soil report fertilizer and liming recommendations is a good starting point. Additionally, by practicing good grazing management and not allowing hay fields to become overgrown will often limit fungal disease damage to tolerable levels. If you suspect a disease is behind your pasture or hay field decline, visit with your local county extension agent. They will help you determine where and how to sample for a disease diagnosis, if needed, and review your forage management to determine if there are other underlying factors resulting in poor stand health. Since some of these diseases can spread fast and kill your stand, you might not be able to wait for an extension visit. In those situations, take a few photos with your camera or phone (close-up of symptoms and field-scale), send them to your local county extension agent, and then cut or graze off the grass as soon as possible (within a day or two) to help reduce fungal inoculum and to lessen long-term impact.