Dwight Lingenfelter,
(Image Source: Poison Hemlock – Hay & Forage Grower)
As we transition into the fall, pastures will become less productive as temperatures decline. Be sure to scout your pasture fields for potentially dangerous weeds that your livestock may consider grazing on as other forages become limited.
Grazing animals will very rarely eat poisonous weeds if there are other options. However, the recent rain has been great for poisonous plant growth and the concern is heightened.
The wet weather has been great for pasture growth but is also good for poisonous plant growth. Grazing animals will very rarely eat poisonous weeds if there are other options. Keeping pastures growing rapidly and knowing which species to be most concerned about will help in minimizing the risk of poisonous pasture plants.
| Table 1. Selected poisonous plants of the Northeast (adapted from Fishel, 2000; Hardin, 1973; and Hill and Folland, 1986; and Wolfgang, Penn State) | ||
| Plant | Problems/symptoms | Toxic ingredient — toxicity dosage |
| Bouncing bet | Leaves and stem – delayed for several days; depression, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea | Saponin – amount equivalent to 3% animal dry weight) will kill within 4 hrs. |
| Buttercups | Leaves and stem especially in flower. Dried hay loses toxicity – anorexia, salivation, weakness, convulsions, breathing difficulty, death | Protoanemonin – toxicity reported to vary with species, age, and habitat, Generally 1-3% of body weight necessary. |
| Cherry, black | Leaves (wilted leaves are worse), stems, bark and fruit – anxiety, staggering, breathing difficulty, dilated pupils, bloat, death | Cyanogenic glycosides – Less than 0.25 lb leaves (fresh wt.) can be toxic to 100 lb animal. Leaves from several small to mid-sized branches are sufficient to kill an adult animal. |
| Hemlock, poison | All plant parts – nervousness, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, paralysis, trembling, dilation of pupils convulsions, and coma, death | Coniine and others (pyridine alkaloids) – 0.5 to 4% (fresh wt,) equivalent of cattle wt, is toxic. In horses, 0.25% of body weight. |
| Jimsonweed | Entire plant (seeds are most toxic) – Thirst, mood swings, convulsions, coma, death | Solanaceous alkaloids – 0.06 to 0.09% (dry wt.) equivalent of animal body wt, is toxic. |
| Locust, black | Leaves (especially wilted), seeds, and inner bark – causes weakness, depression, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea | Phytotoxin robin, glycoside robitinm – bark extract and powder in amount equivalent to 0.04 – 0.1% of animal wt. toxic to horses, Cattle 10-times more tolerant. |
| Milkweeds | Entire plant – depression, muscle tremors, spasms, bloat, difficult breathing | Glycosides and galitoxin – 0.3 to 0.6% of body weight. |
| Nightshade species | Vegetation, unripe fruit – loss of appetite, salivation, weakness, trembling, paralysis | Solanine – toxic at 42 mg/kg (LD50). 0.1 to 0.3% of body weight. |
| Pigweed species | Foliage (worse in drought) – kidney disease, weakness, edema, rapid respiration | Nitrates nitrate oxalates, unknown – 0.5 to 1% of diet. Sheep, hogs, and young calves most susceptible. |
| Pokeweed | Entire plant, especially roots – gastrointestinal cramps, weakened pulse, respiration, salivation | Phytolacctinm – 10 or more berries can result in toxicity to humans, Unknown for livestock, but perhaps 100-200 berries/1000 lb. |
| Snakeroot, white | Leaves and stem – constipation, loss of appetite, salivation, rapid respiration. Toxin passes through milk (milksickness) | Trophine alkaloid – varies from 1 to 2% of animal body wt, after 2 weeks. Toxin cumulative. |
| St. Johnswort | Flowers and leaves – photosensitivity which leads to redness of muzzle, around eyes, and around white hair | Hypercin – uncertain |
Key points about weed forage quality and poisonous plants:
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- Some weeds have excellent nutritive quality.
- Weeds in the vegetative stage of development usually are more nutritious than more mature weeds.
- Regardless of weed quality, livestock may avoid grazing certain plants because of taste, smell, or toxicity.
- Some plants contain potentially poisonous substances that may be toxic to livestock if consumed – properly identify potential problem weeds and consult with a veterinarian if necessary.
- A productive pasture is important to reduce the potential incidence of toxic weed exposure to livestock.
- Remember to soil test and maintain the proper lime and fertility levels. If possible, routinely mow or spray to manage weed problems within and around pasture area.