Ragwort and sheep

Roy_H

Member
I thought it was only troublesome in hay i.e. when it's dead it becomes palatable and livestock will eat it whereas when it's growing they won't touch it? Still horrible stuff though.
 

JockCroft

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
JanDeGrootLand
How ironic the most suicidal, death craving, animal known to man, can eat a poisonous plant with no I'll effect
Dina ken aboot that Willie.
Seem to remember years ago a vet saying that if affected by fluke, a much bigger risk.
I also have been told that there are different variety's, some more toxic than others. That was a young SERAD inspector 5 or 6 years ago.
I am concerned as I dont remember Ragwort within 2 or 3 miles of us until about 10 years ago. Now quite bad on neighbouring fields on two sides of us.
It's a good and valid reason to keep more sheep.
 

yellowbelly

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
N.Lincs
If you graze ragwort (they're known as Yackyards in these parts) infested grass for long enough, with enough sheep they will eventually eat the heart out of the plants.

In the winter, these 'hollows' will fill with rainwater. A bit of frost will soften them up and eventually they will rot.

Not as quick or as efficient as a dose of something out of a sprayer tank, but a fair bit cheaper.

We've never had a dead sheep that was attributed to Yackyard poisoning.
 

Roy_H

Member
If you graze ragwort (they're known as Yackyards in these parts) infested grass for long enough, with enough sheep they will eventually eat the heart out of the plants.

In the winter, these 'hollows' will fill with rainwater. A bit of frost will soften them up and eventually they will rot.

Not as quick or as efficient as a dose of something out of a sprayer tank, but a fair bit cheaper.

We've never had a dead sheep that was attributed to Yackyard poisoning.
I think l read somewhere that ragwort poisoning actually takes a long time, that's why it's more commonly found in horses because although you might find it in say a 10 year old horse, sheep never get to reach that age as they have either gone to meet with mint sauce or died of summat else long before then!
 

Frank-the-Wool

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
Best time to graze Ragwort with sheep is in the spring when they will happily eat the rosettes which prevent the plant from growing.
While it has always been said that sheep suffer no ill effects, I am less sure.
We have grazed large areas over the years with Shearlings and those that are exposed to it for a long time seem to have a higher death rate, although that might be due to poorer nutrition as the land is usually poorer to start with!!

They do a good job though!!
 

Estate fencing.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Best time to graze Ragwort with sheep is in the spring when they will happily eat the rosettes which prevent the plant from growing.
While it has always been said that sheep suffer no ill effects, I am less sure.
We have grazed large areas over the years with Shearlings and those that are exposed to it for a long time seem to have a higher death rate, although that might be due to poorer nutrition as the land is usually poorer to start with!!

They do a good job though!!
I graze a field in the spring that is coved in it with mule yearlings, they never do on it and for a month after do have a check.
 

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