Filipowicz Farm
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2003
- Messages
- 3,047
- Reaction score
- 0
Found this article in our new edition of Michigan Farm News.
-
"Be alert for hoary
alyssum in pastures
As if horse owners don't have enough to
think about, with increasing prices for feed,
fuel, products and services, fly season in full
swing, and continuing challenges with land
use and access to trails, they can add awareness
of hoary alyssum, a weed that is poisonous
to horses, to their list of concerns.
Hoary alyssum is found across the northeastern
and north central United States and
Canada. A member of the mustard family, it
produces small white flowers and can grow 1
to 3 feet tall. Grayish green "hairs" cover the
stems, leaves and seed pods. lt is well-adapted
to dry conditions and grows in droughtstressed
and overgrazed pastures.
"We have had cases of hoary alyssum toxicity
in horses already this yeal as a result of
hay cut last year," said Karen Waite, Michigan
State University (MSU) Extension equine
specialist.
Horse owners need to learn to identify hoary
alyssum and the signs of its toxicity in their
animals. Waite warns that those who may
feel that they don't have to worry because
they feed supplemental hay and grain should
think again: horses on pasture, even if they
receive hay and grain, may also graze on hoary
alyssum if they find it in their fields. Though
it is not preferred horse forage, horses will
nibble on it when other plants are not growing
because of overgrazing or drought.
Toxicity symptoms rn horses range from
depression to stocking up (swelling in the
lower legs), fever and diarrhea. Some horses
are extremely susceptible to the toxin, and
consumption of hoary alyssum may prove
fatal. As little as 10 percent hoary alyssum
in one bale of hay may cause problems for
some horses.
Minimizing problems with hoary alyssum
and other weeds begins with good pasture establishment
and controlled grazing. When the
weed is found in an established pasture, the
herbicides that are labeled for its control will
also affect forage legumes. lf drought conditions
have left few other plants in the pasture,
removing the animals for the remainder of the
growing season is an option.
Hay should also be thoroughly examined for
presence of hoary alyssum.
MSU and MSU Extension offer a number of
drought-related resources. For more information
about hoary alyssum, horse owners may
refer to a fact sheetitled "Toxicity, ldentification
and Control of Hoary Alyssum in Forages.
" lt can be found online or is available at
any MSU Extension county office.
lmages and other information about hoary
alyssum can also be found on the MSU Diagnostic
Services weed and plant identification
Web site at http ://pestid. anr. msu. ed uArVeedsPlantldentif
ication/Hoaryalyssum/tabid/1 39/
Default.aspx."
Source: MSU
[SIZE=12pt] [/SIZE]
-
"Be alert for hoary
alyssum in pastures
As if horse owners don't have enough to
think about, with increasing prices for feed,
fuel, products and services, fly season in full
swing, and continuing challenges with land
use and access to trails, they can add awareness
of hoary alyssum, a weed that is poisonous
to horses, to their list of concerns.
Hoary alyssum is found across the northeastern
and north central United States and
Canada. A member of the mustard family, it
produces small white flowers and can grow 1
to 3 feet tall. Grayish green "hairs" cover the
stems, leaves and seed pods. lt is well-adapted
to dry conditions and grows in droughtstressed
and overgrazed pastures.
"We have had cases of hoary alyssum toxicity
in horses already this yeal as a result of
hay cut last year," said Karen Waite, Michigan
State University (MSU) Extension equine
specialist.
Horse owners need to learn to identify hoary
alyssum and the signs of its toxicity in their
animals. Waite warns that those who may
feel that they don't have to worry because
they feed supplemental hay and grain should
think again: horses on pasture, even if they
receive hay and grain, may also graze on hoary
alyssum if they find it in their fields. Though
it is not preferred horse forage, horses will
nibble on it when other plants are not growing
because of overgrazing or drought.
Toxicity symptoms rn horses range from
depression to stocking up (swelling in the
lower legs), fever and diarrhea. Some horses
are extremely susceptible to the toxin, and
consumption of hoary alyssum may prove
fatal. As little as 10 percent hoary alyssum
in one bale of hay may cause problems for
some horses.
Minimizing problems with hoary alyssum
and other weeds begins with good pasture establishment
and controlled grazing. When the
weed is found in an established pasture, the
herbicides that are labeled for its control will
also affect forage legumes. lf drought conditions
have left few other plants in the pasture,
removing the animals for the remainder of the
growing season is an option.
Hay should also be thoroughly examined for
presence of hoary alyssum.
MSU and MSU Extension offer a number of
drought-related resources. For more information
about hoary alyssum, horse owners may
refer to a fact sheetitled "Toxicity, ldentification
and Control of Hoary Alyssum in Forages.
" lt can be found online or is available at
any MSU Extension county office.
lmages and other information about hoary
alyssum can also be found on the MSU Diagnostic
Services weed and plant identification
Web site at http ://pestid. anr. msu. ed uArVeedsPlantldentif
ication/Hoaryalyssum/tabid/1 39/
Default.aspx."
Source: MSU
[SIZE=12pt] [/SIZE]