Blog Post

K-State vets caution producers about stressed plants, pasture toxins

Beef cattle can experience sickness and even death when grazing pastures that have plants undergoing stress and releasing toxins such as cyanide and nitrates, said Kansas State University clinical veterinary toxicologist Steve Ensley on a recent Cattle Chat podcast.

“There are two plant-related issues we see depending on the weather and the environment — cyanide toxicosis from prussic acid and nitrate poisoning,” Ensley said.

With cyanide, the cattle will show acute clinical signs as soon as 30 minutes after consuming…

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