While the bitter substances contained in ragwort usually prevent animals from eating the plant, the unpleasant taste is lost when it dries. Frequently, the danger for horses, cattle and other ruminants does not lurk in the meadow, but hides in the hay, barely identifiable.

Dry ragweed is also highly poisonous

Hardly recognizable when dried in the hay

Once the poisonous plant has been brought in with the hay, it can hardly be identified in the feed. The drying process changes the shade of the stem and the purple color that is often seen is lost. When dried, the heavily lobed leaves of the ragwort are indistinguishable from dandelion leaves.

Extremely dangerous for animals

If the herb were to be mown and left in the hay, it would initially lead to digestive problems and then to irreversible damage to the liver. What is fatal is that the poisoning is often not recognized in the early stages and the animals eventually succumb to the insidious toxic effects.

Therefore, never feed horses or cattle hay that contains dried ragwort. If you have to buy hay, check the origin and quality very carefully. Many sellers of roughage meanwhile vouch for the ragwort-free quality of the feed.

Simply mow and dispose of is not enough

Once the dangerous ragwort has settled, the pasture must be checked regularly. You can recognize ragwort by its stiffly upright growth, which can be up to one meter high, and its bright yellow flowers.

Since the plants do not lose their toxic effect even when dried, it is important to consistently remove all plants that have settled in a meadow. Mowing stimulates growth and the weed grows faster and more luxuriantly. Therefore, the only thing that remains is to cut out the plants together with the roots and to dispose of them.

Prevent ragweed colonization

  • A closed grass area reduces the risk of spread
  • Avoid turf damage from overgrazing, trampling and machinery.
  • Fertilize regularly to promote a dense turf.
  • Choose seed mixtures with different types of grass.

tips

If you suspect dried ragwort in the hay and an animal shows behavioral problems, you should immediately have a blood analysis carried out by the veterinarian. In the early stages, the insidious poisoning can often be successfully treated. However, if the animal already shows clear symptoms, any help often comes too late.

Category:

Herbs