Kikuyu pasture poisoning is suspected in 40 cattle deaths at 12 farms from Albion Park to Nowra this month.
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South East Local Land Services has urged farmers in the region to ‘’remain vigilant’’ after the death of the cows, with concerns that the recent rains may have been a contributing factor.
South Coast local manager Adam Hook said while kikuyu poisoning was not well understood, and difficult to confirm, previous cases had occurred when a wet period had followed a dry spell.
‘’The sorts of symptoms we’ve seen include restlessness, drooling and staggering,’’ he said.
‘’However these have ranged from mild to severe, with some of the deceased cattle not exhibiting any symptoms at all.
‘’So we’re asking farmers to remain vigilant, and to contact their local vet or our district vet if they have any concerns at all.’’
Mr Hook said it was believed that the rapidly growing kikuyu produced a toxic substance. However that substance had not yet been identified, making treatment difficult.
District vet Steve Whittaker said while vets could treat the symptoms, once cattle ‘’were down’’ they generally died over the next two days.
‘’It is thought that an ingested toxin affects the normal functioning of the cow’s stomachs and the resultant distended fluid-filled rumen is believed to cause the signs shown by affected cattle,’’ he said.
Grazing cattle on alternate pastures not dominated by kikuyu, was one measure farmers could take.
‘’They can also provide their cattle with more of a mixed diet – including more roughage such as hay to balance the kikuyu diet,’’ Mr Hook said.
For more information contact the South Coast office on 4464 6000.