Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Farmers and other role-players recently attended Octavoscene’s beef cattle and sheep information day at Boland Agricultural High School near Paarl in the Western Cape. They were able to listen to several speakers who got into the nitty gritty of some very important livestock farming issues.
One of Octavoscene’s aims is to share as much information as possible with farmers and farming communities. Dr Shaun Morris, a feedlot consultant and director of Octavoscene, said to Plaas Media that the more farmers are educated, the better they can farm and make informed decisions.
Beware of toxic plants
Prof Jan Myburgh, a retiree from the University of Pretoria, discussed key poisonous plants that are responsible for livestock losses every year. He referred to the Western Cape as the Mecca of poisonous plants and shared diagnostics and treatments for some poisonous species responsible for production losses in livestock.
He referred to the wild sunflower or golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides) which is a favourite garden or ornamental flower among avid home gardeners. This plant species has spread across the country at an alarming rate and is becoming a major problem due to its toxic nature, even when dried. “It is also a typical hay contaminant that affects the lungs after consumption by sheep and cattle.”
The two-leaf Cape tulip or red Cape tulip is common in the Western Cape. It affects the heart and lungs as well as nervous and intestinal system of animals that have ingested it.
Prof Myburgh also spoke about the chincherinchee (Ornithogalum thyrsoides) which is endemic to the Cape and popular for its cut flowers which are exported across the globe. “It is very poisonous and also a hay contaminant that can cause severe diarrhoea and blindness in animals that eat it, either in its natural state or dried.”
All parts of the Lantana camara plant, commonly known as an invasive weed, are toxic, especially its stems, leaves, and unripe berries. It can lead to mortalities if animals are not treated timeously.
A remedy that works fast and effectively
Activated charcoal, available at co-operatives and other retail outlets, can absorb plant poisons. It can be given to animals that suffer from either tulip, chincherinchee or Lantanapoisoning. Prof Myburgh warned that a once-off treatment is usually not effective in such cases and that the correct dosage must be repeated for a number of consecutive days.
“Activated charcoal goes through the intestinal tract and one needs the gastrointestinal tract filled with it for a few days in order to catch the poison,” he explained.
Value of a spot-on post mortem diagnosis
Prof Leon Prozesky, CEO of Path Diagnostics Africa, discussed the cost and threats associated with certain diseases. He explained why it is not always easy to make the correct diagnosis during a post mortem. One crucial element is the information and samples that veterinarians receive.
In order to make a proper post mortem diagnoses, the veterinarian must have access to the complete farm and herd profile along with correct and proper samples. He also emphasised that it is the responsibility of every livestock producer to prevent diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease from entering the farm.
Be sure to keep an eye on Veeplaas for a feedback article on the day and keep your eyes peeled for interviews with Profs Myburgh and Prozesky on the Plaas TV YouTube channel. – Carin Venter, Plaas Media
For more information, contact Nonnie Hendriksz at the Malmesbury Octavoscene office on 022 482 2467 or send an email to nonnie@octavoscene.co.za
