There has been an unusually high number of bloat problems among cattle in southwest Missouri.
"Some of those cattle deaths were posted by veterinarians, and frothy bloat was found to be the cause," said Cole.
Clover is very evident in most pastures this year. This follows a tremendous amount of common white or ladino clover in 2015.
"Some farmers report the clover is so dense it is crowding out their fescue, ryegrass, and orchardgrass," said Cole.
Legumes such as ladino are great to blend in cool season grass pastures especially those based on toxic Kentucky 31 fescue. Clover helps dilute the toxin intake and provides valuable nitrogen for the grass when it is about 25 to 30 percent of the stand.
Some farmers and extension specialists estimate this year the percent of ladino and white clover approaches 50 percent, even up to 75 percent or more.