Fescue Endophyte & Ergot Alkaloid Testing

Full-Service Ergot Alkaloid and Endophyte Testing

Agrinostics provides laboratory endophyte and ergot alkaloid testing for customers who prefer to send in a sample rather than run the test themselves. Send us your sample and receive an analysis report. We work with homeowners and small farmers submitting a single sample, as well as seed companies submitting many samples. Contract testing services are available for volume business.

Endophyte Analysis

Endophyte analysis for field tillers uses sampling method 1, and endophyte analysis for a seed sample of 100 seeds uses method 2. Where the seed cannot be screened directly, endophyte analysis for grow-out tillers is the alternative: you submit seed, we grow the tillers in our greenhouse for six weeks, and then test them for viable endophytes.

Ergot Alkaloid Analysis

Ergot alkaloid analysis is available for 96 tillers using sampling method 1, for 100 seeds using method 2, for hay and feed samples, where we do the grinding for you, and for urine using method 3. A urine alkaloid figure is interpreted alongside a urine creatinine analysis, which also uses sampling method 3.

Before You Send a Sample

Each listing above names the sampling method it expects. Methods 1, 2 and 3 cover plant tillers, seeds, urine, grain, hay and forage, and they are written up in full on the sampling methods page, including when to sample and how to pack the material. Please note with your order any information you would like included in the analysis report.

Toxic Fescue and Toxic Hay Testing

Much of this work is toxic fescue testing. The endophyte in tall fescue makes ergot alkaloids that cause fescue toxicosis in cattle and horses, and hay made from toxic fescue can carry them too. Ergot alkaloid analysis of 96 tillers checks a pasture, and hay and feed analysis checks stored forage.

Prefer to Test In House?

The same assays are sold as Phytoscreen ergot and endophyte test kits for laboratories that would rather do the work themselves.