Ergot of Small Grain Cereals and Grasses and its Health Effects on Humans and Livestock

Ergot is a fungal disease of the inflorescence, or seed heads, of cereals and grasses. Ergots, compact masses of fungal mycelium also known as sclerotia, are produced instead of normal gain. This publication describes the disease as it relates to wheat production, including management; and presents information on the health effects of ergot on humans and livestock, including recommendations on how to mitigate them.