Page 23 - MWC 9-14-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · September 14, 2023 · P23
CATTLE PRODUCERS URGED TO WATCH FOR PRUSSIC ACID POISONING

More than 70 adult cattle in adult cattle in southwestern
southwestern Missouri died Missouri died shortly after
shortly after being released being released into drought-
into drought-stressed pasture stressed pasture with lush
with lush new growth of John- new growth of Johnson grass.
son grass. Within a few hours of graz-
University of Missouri Ex- ing in this pasture, several
tension specialists urge pro- cows suddenly lay down and
ducers to closely watch cattle died or staggered briefly be-
grazing pastures with John- fore collapsing and dying,
son grass and other sorghum says Evans. Few other clinical
species. signs were observed. The re-
Cattle producers in several maining cattle were returned
drought-stressed parts of Mis- to the pasture, after which
souri have recently reported several more animals died.
cattle deaths from suspected
prussic acid or hydrocyanic
acid (cyanide) poisoning, says
Tim Evans, an MU Exten-
sion state specialist in animal WHY ARE WE STILL HERE AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS?
health and veterinary toxicol-
ogy.
Prussic acid poisoning re-
sults when cattle eat cya-
nide-producing compounds in
immature leaves of sorghum
grasses or leaves of cherry and
related species of fruit trees.
This happens most often after
extreme weather conditions
such as drought or frost.
Evans says more than 70

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