Minimizing Livestock Plant Poisoning on Western Nebraska Rangelands

A review of scientific research, including 37 grazing studies, demonstrates that between 2 percent and 5 percent of livestock losses in the United States each year are attributed to plant poisonings. According to the data, Nebraska experiences similar losses.

Poisonous plants, whether a native species or introduced by various means, are a component of most Nebraska plant communities. Poisonings vary according to management approaches, climatic conditions, and location, but livestock producers should be aware of significant impacts and correlations that exist.

Although the most profound impact of plant poisoning is livestock death, research shows that other impacts can potentially have a more widespread economic effect on livestock operations. These impacts include reduced fertility, conception rates, weight gain, and milk production. In addition, “ghost poisonings” lead to undocumented abortions.