- Return to Article Of The Month index
Winter Weed Dangers
January, 2022
Laura
Bennett, UF/IFAS Extension Pasco Sumter & Hernando Counties
Poisonous weeds are
present in varying degrees in most pasture. With Winter weather and short
forage supply, problems can arise quickly. Forage-consuming livestock like
cattle, goats, sheep and horses, have to consume large quantities of grass
to keep their digestive systems operating correctly. When growth of our
grass is slowed by lower temperatures and shortened day length, sufficient
quantity and quality for livestock can become an issue. This is when animals
will become more likely to eat weeds, including poisonous ones, to fill
their forage need.
There are some weeds that
are worse than others. Most of the time, animals must eat a
percentage of their bodyweight (2-3% on a dry matter basis) to have an acute
poisoning. However, at much lower levels, they can sustain chronic poisoning
that damages the liver and may or may not cause the animal to show signs of
being sick.
Here are some to watch out for:
Coffee Senna: photo credit Doug Mayo
The seed pods on coffee senna are especially
poisonous and once the plant has experienced a frost, animals tend to really
consume it.
American Black Nightshade: photo
credit Brent Sellers
This weed will have small white flowers and black,
smooth berries. It typically grows in fence lines.
Showy crotalaria: photo credit Doug
Mayo
This weed is also called rattle box because once the
pods dry the seeds will shake around in the pods.