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• quantities. The barbed awns of this plant may lodge in the oral tissue <br /> of grazing animals which results in ulcerations. Horses are more <br />susceptible due to the softer nature of the oral tissues. Gzeen <br />needlegrasa may be a problem on dry ranges where it comprises a large <br />percentage of the grass present. Growth on sandy loam is fair and on <br />loam and clay loam good. Good growth is obtained on gentle and moderate <br />slopes. Steep slopes produce the poorest growth. Establishment <br />requirements and erosion control potential are rated medium. Short term <br />revegetation potential is low due to the greater difficulty in <br />establishing this species. Long term revegetation potential is high. <br />This species is rated medium in potential biomass production. It is <br />fair as a cover for game birds, small non-game birds and small mammals. <br />Elk, deer and game bird food value is fair. Small mammal and non-game <br />• bird food value is considered good. Forage palatability for cattle is <br />good and sheep fair. Energy and protein values are fair. <br />HARD FESCUE: FESTUCA OVINA DURIUSCULA (L.) KOCH <br />Hard fescue is a European introduction. It prefers dry-moist <br />sites. It may be a minor poisoner of livestock. The disease known as <br />fescue foot may be contracted by cattle or sheep (horses are not <br />affected) when grazing on fescue. It appears that the toxicity of <br />fescue may be produced by an as yet unidentified fungus parasitic on <br />fescues and not by the grass itself. The toxic compound appears to be <br />an alkaloid. Contraction of fescue foot may be avoided by ceasing <br />grazing on areas where fescue is the predominant forage species <br />available. <br />• <br />Mid-term '94 4.4-A-9 September 15,1994 <br />