Poisonous plants are a major cause of economic loss to the livestock industry. It’s estimated poisonous plants adversely affect three to five per cent of cattle, sheep and horses grazing the western range.
Tag Archives Weeds
Hemlock: A deadly poison affecting spring and summer pasture
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Producers can manage Canada thistle with rotational grazing
News Roundup from the December 2023 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
For many cattle producers, Canada thistle is a perennial nuisance. As the most common weed found in Prairie pastures, the purple-flowered thistle is infamous for its ability to take over. Many producers aim to control it with herbicides. However, there may be a way to manage it with cattle grazing. Julia Smith with Small Scale […] Read more
Turning weeds into feed
A variety of noxious weeds have been deemed as safe alternative forages for cattle
A noxious weed is an invasive non-native species that may reduce the yield of existing crops and forages if not controlled through herbicide application or by other means. Many weed species can be consumed by cattle and provide nutritive value during drought-induced feed shortages, while at the same time reducing herbicide use. Kochia (Bassia scoparia) […] Read more
Living with leafy spurge
Research projects look at how to manage, not eliminate, this pasture weed
Glacier FarmMedia – In terms of nightmare plants for pasture management, leafy spurge is a scary one. It’s an official noxious weed, invasive, deeply rooted, able to spread through both seed and creeping roots and almost impossible to eliminate. Its thick patches can wreak havoc on pasture productivity for most outdoor livestock species, goats and […] Read more
Lupines and crooked calves
If you’ve seen birth defects such as fused joints, crooked legs or cleft palates in your newborn calves, toxic plants could be the culprits
Lupine calves” or “crooked calves” are an example of what can happen when various plant toxins are ingested by a pregnant cow at a certain stage of pregnancy. Lupines, also known as bluebonnets, are legumes. As legumes, they can enrich nitrogen-poor soil. In Canada, at least 28 species have been recognized, mostly in Western Canada. […] Read more
Unconventional: Salvaging crops and feeding weeds during drought
Whether you’re eyeing a flax crop or baling ditches and sloughs, here’s what you need to know about alternative feeds
In drought years it’s often challenging to provide adequate forage for cattle. Sometimes producers use alternative feeds which might include drought-stressed or salvaged crops. Dr. Bart Lardner, professor in the department of animal and poultry science at the University of Saskatchewan, says some of the drought-stressed crops that might be available include annuals such as […] Read more
Underground herbicides
Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen
When I was a kid, my dad found Russian knapweed in a pasture along an irrigation canal. He explained that it was important to catch this weed quickly because it can spread very aggressively. Russian knapweed reproduces using seeds as well as by buds growing from its roots (somewhat similar to the sod-forming grasses in […] Read more
Vet Advice: Not all that’s green is edible
Plant poisoning is a common problem throughout North America, causing significant losses from sudden death, reproductive failure, poor growth rates, tainting of animal products (milk, meat) and physical damage. Recognizing toxic plants and understanding the effects of toxins on animals is an important aspect of good range management. Plant poisoning can be largely avoided. Plants […] Read more
Using insects to control invasive weeds on pasture
Houndstongue biocontrol project in B.C. has been highly successful
Once invasive plants reach a point of domination, elimination is generally not feasible. Land managers sometimes turn to biologic control, a last resort for reducing a widespread weed’s populations to below an economic or environmental damage threshold. Eradicating the weed may be impossible, but biocontrol agents may reduce it to manageable levels. Since 1951, 82 […] Read more
Using an invasive weed to help fill the feed gap
When feed is in short supply, producers may want to harvest kochia.
For Prairie cattle producers looking for alternative feed sources this year, one possibility may be kochia. Kochia is an invasive weed, often seen growing on marginal land or tumbling across the Prairies. It’s a prolific seed producer, growing in saline soil and in arid or semi-arid conditions. A recent news release from Agriculture and Agri-Food […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
