Ragwart

[CORNFLAKE]

we have a field next to a nature reserve that has become quite infested with Ragwart and I’m convinced it is being spread by the Canadian Geese that are on it over winter. Anyway we will be cutting it for Hay so I have investigated how much can be left without causing a problem of poisoning if eaten by horses or cattle and I have read that they would have to eat 7% of their body weight for it to cause significant harm. Is this correct? It seems a lot.

 

[cheviot53]

we have a field next to a nature reserve that has become quite infested with Ragwart and I’m convinced it is being spread by the Canadian Geese that are on it over winter. Anyway we will be cutting it for Hay so I have investigated how much can be left without causing a problem of poisoning if eaten by horses or cattle and I have read that they would have to eat 7% of their body weight for it to cause significant harm. Is this correct? It seems a lot.

 

[HolzKopf]

There's previous threads about ragwort in hay - see this one - https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/ragwort-in-hay.239602/

I don't think it's about 'how much can horses or cattle safely eat' - it's more about the average buyer not wanting to risk buying hay that has ragwort in it when there's plenty about that's clean. I certainly wouldn't go down the route of not disclosing it and if it's for your 'own' consumption i.e. your horses or the stock on your farm and you're not selling it on, only time will tell but it's a roll of the dice and a problem you don't really need?

HK

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Send it to a power station

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Personally I’d I knew there was ragwort in the fodder I’d not even entertain it at bedding price

 

[CORNFLAKE]

It’s only 5.5ac so we are going to pull the majority of it but leave the bad patch and then cut it and cart it away. We’re not selling any of it. I was more curious about the fact that animals had to eat so much for it to affect them. I was quite surprised.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

No it's not correct, every bite if ragwort will do damage to the liver , but liver cells can repair themselves over time so if the animal never ait Ragwort again it could recover from eating a small amount
Having said that I know a farmer who lost 3 cows from eating Ragwort hay ,
Someone gave you some very dangerous advice I'm afraid

 

[Derrick Hughes]

And if your starting business selling hay to horse yards just be careful who you buy your hay from

 

[Gilly29]

Hi there I can offer help with controlling geese. I have a valid sgc and fully insured through Basc and can get reference from my farmer aswell for peace of mind. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m in County Durham but can travel within a 4 hour round trip distance.

 

[ollie989898]

Spray the fudging stuff out or pull it by hand.

 

[JockCroft]

Spray the fudging stuff out or pull it by hand.

That wont stop it spreading in from neighbouring land.

How many weeds are injurious under the Weeds Act 1959?

• There are five weeds classified as injurious under the Weeds Act 1959: Common ragwort ( Senecio jacobae) - the most dangerous injurious weed.

Report to Ministry. Keep following up and take photo's.

 

[Still Farming]

Council spread it here as Birds and bees take president over tax payers Motorists etc and don't cut or control?

 

[JockCroft]

Council spread it here as Birds and bees take president over tax payers Motorists etc and don't cut or control?

Someone somewhere is responsible to enforce the Weeds Act. If they wont follow up then they have a superior, who will in turn have a boss of some kind.

Should put up a sign on your property to warn walkers, and dog walkers of the significant risk to health from any contact with the plant. Could be a good deterrent.

 

[ollie989898]

Someone somewhere is responsible to enforce the Weeds Act. If they wont follow up then they have a superior, who will in turn have a boss of some kind.

Should put up a sign on your property to warn walkers, and dog walkers of the significant risk to health from any contact with the plant. Could be a good deterrent.

You joke but there are some weeds you wouldn't want your dog or your kids to brush against walking through it.

 

[JockCroft]

You joke but there are some weeds you wouldn't want your dog or your kids to brush against walking through it.

Ollie, I actually was not joking.
My area did not have any ragwort until maybe 10 years ago. I vividly remember seeing a single plant in flower at the main road junction about a mile away. Why did I not have the sense to have gone a pull it and get rid of it?
Neighbour and I spoke about it but never had time. Within 3 or 4 years fields bordering us had quite a few plants, then road side ditch. I try and pull each year and with sheep grazing kept fairly well of. Neighbour is Cattle only grazing and knocks hell out of it with a flail topper every few weeks so few plant flowering with him.

Now we have Bracken appearing. One or two last year. Now finding a lot of small plants A solid strip in a road ditch half a mile away and it appearing out on the Peatlands. Spot spraying to keep it of the permanent pasture.

Have you ever heard of any prosecution under the Weeds act?

 

[TheRanger]

Seems to be a bit of campaign at the moment on twitter from the green types to try and remove the stigma from ragwort

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Spread this on Facebook that will change their munss

Ragwort toxicity is a very serious medical problem. If you believe your dog ingested the ragwort plant, get him to a veterinarian immediately.

 

[JockCroft]

Spread this on Facebook that will change their munss

Ragwort toxicity is a very serious medical problem. If you believe your dog ingested the ragwort plant, get him to a veterinarian immediately.

I have a friend how is quite distance away and has what seems a very toxic ragwort. They will never work pulling/Digging Ragwort unless wearing PVC gloves. No matter how hot it is.

 

[Still Farming]

I have a friend how is quite distance away and has what seems a very toxic ragwort. They will never work pulling/Digging Ragwort unless wearing PVC gloves. No matter how hot it is.

Poison can pass through skin if not careful too.

 

[Sheepy jim]

Get someone to put some sheep on your ground in early spring, ragwort is very early in starting to grow,and sheep nip it off when at seedling stage.I have ragwort all around my farm, on roadsides and neighbouring farms that have no sheep but have very little if any now on own farm. It has never affected our sheep.