Poisonous Plants in the Pasture

This week our special guest will be Cliff Little, Agriculture Educator from Ohio State Extension to talk about "Poisonous Plants in Pastures and the Landscape”.Recognizing poisonous plants and properly managing animals, pastures and hay fields will help minimize the potential of poisoning animals.  Most poisonings occur in the early spring or during a drought when feed is short. Plants which animal normally will not eat become a potential source of food and a potential source for poisoning, because animals are hungry and searching for food.  Also, some herbicides may increase the palatability of some weeds.Nitrate poisonings, acorns, buckeyes, water and poison hemlock, cyanide poisoning caused by sorghum species and chokecherry plants, glycoside poisoning from nightshades and cocklebur and photosensitive skin reactions from St. Johnswort and buckwheat are just a few issues livestock producers may deal with.Homeowners deal with poison ivy, Tree of Heaven, pokeweed, nightshades, stinging nettle and other weeds, ornamentals and houseplants.Cliff will share his insights and management tips to avoid poisonous plants and treatment options for affected animals and people.