July 6, 2022 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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4- The Elk City News July 6, 2022 Agriculture Prussic acid toxicity explained as Good Enough recent drought ramps up risk to Drink? Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, OSU Beef Extension Veterinarian By Gail Ellis ist, explains what happens in more detail Place one or two cows in a pasture and Brianne Taylor, DVM, Assistant Professor Department of in this video from SUNUP, OSU Agricul- observe for problems before turning in all Veterinary Pathobiology STILLWATER. - Ranchers turning cattle ture’s television show. cattle onto pastures with new forage growth When an animal displays signs of prussic Providing access to water can be challenging especially for op- this season should watch out for prussic Clinical signs of prussic acid toxicity are: acid toxicity, a condition fatal to livestock Muscle tremors acid toxicity, the producer should immedi- erations enduring drought conditions. Water related toxicities and commonly linked to consumption of Increased respiration rate ately remove all animals that appear to be and fatalities may be seen with greater frequency under hot Johnsongrass. Excess salivation normal to a new pasture and contact their and dry time periods. Warnings of toxicity often develop rap- In counties of Oklahoma that recently suf- Staggering veterinarian. Sick animals can recover if idly, and animal death may be the first clinical sign. Common fered from extreme drought conditions, Convulsions treated quickly with sodium nitrite and water related toxicities include water deprivation, sulfates, ranchers are reporting cattle deaths sus- Collapse sodium thiosulfate to reverse the toxicity. blue-green algae, and nitrates. pected from prussic acid toxicity. Additional OSU Extension resources are “One of our producers found a calf and Producers should note prussic acid levels available through SUNUP: Water Deprivation cow dead on a small patch of Johnson- are highest in the leaves of young plants, ‘The common history of water deprivation is an automatic wa- grass,” said Dana Bay, Oklahoma State and the upper leaves contain the most tox- Controlling and remediating Johnson- University Extension agriculture educator in. Stress from drought or frost increases grass through the process of wicking ter stops functioning or the pump at the well quits working in Ellis County. “We've gotten a lot of calls prussic acid as well as fertilizing with large Johnsongrass toxicity after rain unbeknownst to the rancher. With good intentions, the cattle about testing, and several grass samples amounts of nitrogen and nitrogen/phos- Nitrate toxicity in summer forages are given immediate and full access to water. Unfortunately, have tested positive, resulting in ranchers phorus soil imbalances. Identifying Johnsongrass and suppress- this approach often leads to rapid imbalances in electrolytes not moving cattle to new pastures.” While Johnson grass is high in prussic ing its growth in non-grazed areas and salt toxicosis. It is important to note that salt toxicosis in Barry Whitworth, DVM, OSU Extension acid, the toxicity of other sorghum plants this instance is not the over consumption of salt. southeast district area food and animal such as Foxtail millet is low. Ranchers Toxins in stressed forages Animals that have been without water have elevated sodium quality health specialist, said when tem- should first identify the toxicity level of levels in their tissues, including the brain. When animals are peratures rise and the ground dries out, any sorghum variety intended for grazing For more information contact Greg Hart- certain plants in the sorghum family be- purposes. Forage samples can be submit- man Beckham County Extension at 580- given free or rapid access to water, the fluid rushes to the high come toxic and can kill cattle at a rapid ted to any OSU Extension county office 928-2139 levels of sodium and essentially floods the brain. Cattle rapidly rate. Johnsongrass is one of Oklahoma's for testing at OSU’s Soil, Water and Forage show neurologic signs including incoordination, weakness, sei- most invasive plants. Analytical Laboratory in Stillwater. zures, and death. “Hydrocyanic acid, which is also referred Once a sample of grass is collected, pro- Oklahoma State University, in compliance If animals have been deprived, rewatering should be done to as cyanide or prussic acid, is a toxin ducers should immediately take it to the with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of gradually over time. Justa few inches of water should be placed created when the harmless hydrocyanic local Extension office for testing. Bay said 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Ti- in a tank or trough. Depending on the conditions rewatering glycosides in plants are stressed or break acounty Extension educator can also meet tle IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, down,” he said. “Once a plant's hydrocy- the rancher on site and performa test at may need to be done over a period of several hours. Consulta- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and anic glycosides are damaged, they quickly the field. When moving cattle from one other federal laws and regulations, does not tion with a veterinarian is the best approach. convert to prussic acid.” pasture to another along a road, she also discriminate on the basis of race, color, nation- When cattle ingest the plants high in hy- advised to take caution with the Johnson- Sulfates drocyanic glycoside and break them down grass that often grows in roadside ditches. al origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status Cattle experiencing sulfur toxicity also show neurological by chewing, prussic acid is released in Take the following steps to prevent prus- as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or signs. Commonly we would call this condition polioencepha- the rumen and absorbed into the blood sic acid toxicity: procedures. This includes but is not limited to lomalacia or polio. Cattle initially become depressed, decrease stream. Whitworth explained that once Never turn hungry cattle into onto a new admissions, employment, financial aid, and prussic acid reaches the circulatory sys- pasture feed intake, and exhibit lethargy. As the condition progresses, educational services. References within this they become ataxic, stagger, and may die. tem, the toxin prevents cells in the body Take soil samples and fertilize accordingly publication to any specific commercial product, from taking up oxygen. The blood becomes Graze mature plants process, or service by trade name, trademark, It is advisable to test water sources for sulfate levels and re- saturated with oxygen that cannot be ab- Wait until plants are cured before grazing testing may need to be done over time as levels can change. sorbed by cells, and cattle perish from as- after frost (at least seven days) service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does Additionally, sulfate levels are additive so both feed and water phyxiation within minutes. Rosslyn Biggs, Rotate pastures to keep cattle from con- not constitute or imply endorsement by Okla- should be assessed to determine acceptable levels. DVM, OSU Extension beef cattle special- suming lush regrowth homa Cooperative Extension Service. Blue-Green Algae ‘The classic history of blue-green algae (BGA), also known as Composting Directly in the Garden cyanobacteria, is several dead animals surrounding a pond. Not all species of cyanobacteria are toxic. There are three main types seen in Oklahoma and they produce a toxin that leads to neurologic signs and rapid death usually within a few hours. Liver damage which may be noticed as photosensitivity or bloody diarrhea can also be seen. In these cases, water should always be tested for a BGA bloom. Fertilizer and manure runoff can increase chances of BGA. Ponds should be monitored closely for signs of bloom and dead wildlife. If BGA is suspected, all remaining animals in that pasture should be moved to a location with a different water source. Nitrates Nitrate toxicity is often part of the discussion when evaluating forages especially Johnson grass. However, a common histo- ry for nitrate toxicity includes hauling of water in containers previously used for fertilizer. Due to the concentration of fer- tilizers or other chemicals, it is nearly impossible to remove residue to a safe level. Nitrates may also reach dangerous levels in ponds or other water sources that collect drainage from ma- nure, highly fertilized fields, or industrial waste. Neurologic signs and death are also seen with nitrates as have been previously described with other toxicities. The blood in nitrate toxicity is chocolate brown though. Just as with sul- fates, the effects of nitrate levels of forage, feed and water are additive. So, both feed and water must be considered when evaluating a nitrate problem. Trench composting, a centuries old technique, is low maintenance, effective, eliminates the need to turn piles of plant Deep wells are usually safe sources of water. No safety stan- debris, requires minimal space, and doesn’t smell. Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com dards have been set for livestock water, but it has been suggest- ed that up to 100 ppm of nitrate nitrogen in water should be By Melinda Myers scraps, mix with soil and cov- bowl full of kitchen scraps, we Start by contacting your lo- safe if cattle are consuming an adequate ration that is free of er with at least eight inches of were sent to the garden to diga cal municipality to make sure nitrates. This is ten times the safe level set for humans. Don’t toss those imperfect soil that you removed from the hole, dump, and cover. there are no restrictions on Oklahoma State University has laboratories that can assist lettuce leaves, onion tops and hole. Covering with this much For those that want to rotate any type of composting. Then producers in testing. Information on the Oklahoma Animal strawberry tops into the trash. soil helps prevent animals plantings as well as compost, get out the shovel and dig your Disease Diagnostic Laboratory can be found at vetmed.ok- Instead, convert them into from digging. Repeat until the you may want to try one of state.edu/oaddl. Information on the Soil, Water & Forage Ana- way to healthier soil and a compost right in the garden. trench is filled with plant de- these two methods. Plant in lytic Laboratory can be found at soiltesting.okstate.edu. more productive garden. Worm and pile composting are bris and covered in soil. wide rows and trench compost great ways to manage these Just like other composting in the pathway. Next year, Melinda Myers has written scraps. But if these methods methods, use plant-based ma- move the garden to the path more than 20 gardening books, For more information contact Greg Hartman Beckham County aren't for you, try trench com- terials only. Do not add meat, location and make last year’s including the recently released Extension at 580-928-2139 posting. This centuries old dairy and fat that can attract garden the path. You will be Midwest Gardener's Hand- technique is low effort and ef- animals and rodents. And this rotating your plantings while book, 2nd Edition and Small Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the fective. The process is basically is no place for perennial weeds improving the soil. Space Gardening. She hosts Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title invisible, eliminates the need like quackgrass, annual weeds Or designate separate adja- The Great Courses “How to IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabil- to turn a pile of plant debris, gone to seed, or invasive plants cent areas for planting, paths, Grow Anything” DVD instant ities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not requires minimal space and that can survive the compost- and composting. Next year, video series and the nationally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, reli- doesn’t smell. ing and take over the garden. rotate so last year’s compost- gion, disability, or status as a veteran in any ofits policies, practices syndicated Melinda's Garden Simply dig a 12-inch-deep ing area becomes garden, the ‘You can also trench compost garden becomes the path, and Moment TV & radio program. or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employ- trench between the rows of one hole at a time. Just dig a ment, financial aid, and educational services. References within this vegetables, in the pathway, or hole in a vacant space in the the path is the new section for Myers is a columnist and con- in any vacant spot in the gar- garden, toss in the materi- trench composting. In three tributing editor for Birds & publication to any specific commercial product, process, or service by den. Be careful not to damage als, mix, and cover with soil. years, you will have rotated Blooms magazine and her trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise the plant roots. Add about 1 grew up with this method. crops and improved the soil in website is www.MelindaMyers, does not constitute or imply endorsement by Oklahoma Cooperative four to six inches of kitchen After dinner or once we had a all three areas. com. Extension Service.