Ann wrote:
> Hello folks, I have a neglected pasture that has been overgrown with
> choke cherry, maple and oak saplings, spirea, and goldenrod. There is
> still a fair amount of grass. I'd like to put some young steers in it
> but am concerned about the toxicity of these plants. Would bushogging
> and allowing them to dry down make them safe or would it be better to
> leave them or not graze animals there until next season? Thanks! Ann
> _______________________________________________
Steve's reply:
Ann,
While plant toxcity should not be ignored, it should not be a major concern.
For the most part, plants that do cause health problems are less palatable
that the typical pasture species. Grazing animals for the most part will
not graze toxic plants unless there is little else for them to eat. Also,
consuming a small amount of most "toxics," along with plenty of good forage
will not cause health problems for most animals. I'm not sure what you are
calling choke cherry. Here in the eastern USA, black cherry (prunus
serrotina) can cause problems when the animals eat wilted leaves. In a
drought a few years ago, I did some timberstand improvement by cutting red
maple trees (Acer rubrum) down and letting the cows eat the leaves. There
is some mention in the literature about oak leaves and maple leaves being
toxic. I expect that they can be under certain conditions and starved
animals but I don't worry about them. Acorns can be a problem when animals
gorge them selves on them. I have a few cows that stand in the middle of an
oak lot and eat acorns a lot. They have been doing it for years and it
hasn't killed them yet.
Spirea and golden rod shouldn't be any problem.
If I were in your situation, I'd turn the animals in the pasture today, let
them eat the good stuff they can get, take them out before they get too
hungry, then bushhog the field if you still think it is necessary.
Kindest Regards,
Steve
Steve Lucas
Mountain View Farm
Louisa, Virginia
