Toxic Weeds and Their Impact on Animals

Agriculturally grown plants are potentially contaminated with poisonous weeds. Many potentially toxic plants are found in pastures and crops. Consequently, forage crops at harvest or when directly grazed may contain toxic amounts of poisonous plants. Unfortunately, efficient prevention of contamination with certain poisonous plants is not always feasible or practical, and thus, contaminated feed presents a realistic threat to the livestock industry. Certain toxic plants remain toxic when dried, while others lose toxicity upon drying. Similar results have been observed with ensiling. Each toxic plant needs to be evaluated carefully with regards to its toxicity potential when fresh, dried or ensiled.