Livestock and Prussic Acid Poisoning

— Written By and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

We will soon have our first frost of the year. Many producers become concerned about grazing forages that have the potential to cause prussic acid poisoning and what they can do to minimize the risk.

Prussic acid, or cyanide, can build up to dangerous levels following a frost, after a drought, or anytime the plant is stressed. Prussic acid hinders the oxygen-transferring ability of the red blood cells, which causes animals to suffocate. Ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats are more susceptible than non-ruminant animals like pigs. The main grasses that pose a problem are sorghums, sorghum-sudangrass crosses, and sudangrass. Other plants that may contribute can include but are not limited to Johnson grass, arrowgrass, and cherry trees. Plant parts that are especially high in prussic acid include the leaves and young or new growth.

Allowing the plants to rest after frost reduces the risk of poisoning because it allows the cyanide levels to decrease. Once a frost occurs, take your animals off the pasture and prevent grazing of the sorghum, sorghum-sudangrass, or sudangrass. Sufficient drying and recovery should occur within 7-10 days following the frost; after that it is probably safe to return your animals to that field. I always err on the side of caution and tell producers to wait a full 10 days before turning their animals back onto pasture.

Here are some other tips for handling and/or preventing possible prussic acid poisoning in livestock:

  • Do not graze sheep on sudangrass or hybrids until it is 12-15 inches tall.
  • Do not graze cattle on sudangrass or hybrids until it is 18-24 inches tall.
  • Sorghum may not be safe to graze until fully headed.
  • Have the plants tested for toxicity levels before grazing.
  • Do not graze hungry livestock on sorghum or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. Potential for poisoning is increased with the amount of this high-risk forage that is consumed.
  • Select grass varieties that are low in prussic acid.

What should you do if you think your animals may be suffering from prussic acid poisoning? Call your local vet and remove them from the pasture. Don’t delay — time is of the essence with any poisoning! Check your pastures for the cause of the problem to avoid your other animals getting sick. Avoid plants that can cause prussic acid poisoning and monitor animals.

If you are interested in learning more about beef cattle or starting a beef cattle farm, please attend our Beef Cattle 101 series for beginners or new farmers. The two-class series will be held on November 14 and 21, 2019, with a farm visit on November 23. The cost for the class is $25 (paid by check or money order only, made payable to Robeson County Cooperative Extension), and registration is due by November 7. For more information, or to register, please contact Taylor Chavis, Extension Livestock Agent, at 910-671-3276, by email at Taylor_Chavis@ncsu.edu, or visit our website.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.