Livestock Producers Urged to be on the Alert for Plant Toxicities

The North Coast Local Lands Service is urging landholders to be on the lookout for potential toxic plants on their properties.

Plant poisonings in livestock most commonly occur when animals are introduced to unfamiliar surroundings containing toxic plants or when other feed is scarce, and animals go in search of the green pick.

A good recent example of such poisonings was seen recently in the Kempsey area after cows had ingested Red Lantana (see image below).

Alternatively, with some toxic plants, seasonal conditions and management practices can sometimes make the plants more attractive to livestock.

For instance, as seen with Bracken fern toxicity (which is the most prominent plant poisoning seen on the North Coast) new shoots that may emerge following slashing or a fire event are both more toxic and more attractive as a source of food to livestock.

The Zamia or Cycad Palm becomes more palatable to cattle with new growth – which may be significantly more of an issue following last summer’s bushfire season.

The leaves of Cestrum Nocturnum may become sweeter after a shower of rain, and the palatability of Green Cestrum can also be increased with the wilting that follows uprooting or spraying.

Fireweed, which we see so commonly in the paddocks throughout the North Coast can even become a problem after slashing when livestock are unable to discriminate the new shoots of the plant from the surrounding pasture.

“Symptoms of poisoning can include; a loss of appetite, depression, diarrhoea, loss of body condition and sudden death. The signs will depend on which plant is eaten.

Signs that indicate a cow may have eaten Bracken Fern include black tarry faeces and pale gums. Cattle with Red lantana poisoning may develop skin lesions and display shade-seeking behaviour. In contrast, stock with green cestrum or cycad poisoning cattle can die suddenly, often without the owner seeing any pre-emptive signs.

For more information or if you suspect your cattle may be suffering from plant toxicity, contact your veterinarian or the North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian team.

For more on Plant Poisonings, check out our 'Tips From Our Team' Video HERE