Ragwort

Ragwort is a poisonous plant which is a serious threat to the wellbeing of every horse and pony in the country. In recent years ragwort has spread like wildfire and the distinctive yellow flower can be seen in almost every parish in the land.

A couple of years ago a three year old filly died at Coxstone with all the symptoms of ragwort poisoning and no other possible explanation. It was the most distressingdeath that we have experienced in all the years that we have been caring for horses, and one would hope never to see it again.

Anyone finding ragwort on their own land must dig it up immediately, and must do so wearing gloves because the toxins can be absorbed through the hands. If ragwort is seen on any land, public or private, it should be reported to the local authority.It is widely believed that ragwort is poisonous only to equines, but this is not the case. Research has shown that it can affect all species. Intensive research is being carried out by

Dr Derek Knotenbelt at Liverpool University, Neston CH64 7TE, but funds are urgently needed. I hope that all horse owners will send him a donation, as we have done, to help rid us of this scourge.The following is an extract from a leaflet produced by the donkey Sanctuary which we have included for further information.

The Facts you need to know

• Ragwort is one of the most frequent causes of plant poisoning of livestock in Britain

• Ragwort (Senecio Jacobea L.) is one of the injurious weeds specified in the Weeds Act 1959. this Act gives the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (in Scotland, The Secretary of State), power to serve notice upon the occupier of any land on which ragwort is growing, requiring them to take action within a specified time to prevent the weed from spreading to agricultural land.

• Ragwort is normally a biennial rosette (1st year spring flowering – 2nd year – July and August).

• Ragwort seeds can be dormant in the soil for up to 20 years.

• Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seed with a 70% germination rate.

How does Ragwort affect Livestock

• Equines and bovines are more susceptible to Ragwort poisoning than other livestock

• Young animals are more susceptible than mature animals

• Ragwort poisoning can occur at anytime of the year

• Ragwort acts as a cumulative poison, eventually destroying the liver

• A small intake of ragwort over a long period can be just as damaging as a large intake on a single occasion

• Little can be done for an animal once the clinical symptoms appear



What are the Clinical Symptoms?

Loss of condition (weight loss, dull coat, depression), or appetite and constipation, photosensitisation (sunburn) and sometimes jaundiceTerminal Signs: nervous signs develop, restlessness and aimless uncoordinated movement. Animals may appear blind, pressing heads against solid objects, abnormal gait and stance.Most affected animals die after a period of illness varying from a week to several months.

Sources of Ragwort Poisoning

• Livestock tend to avoid eating ragwort on good pastures

• Where there is over-stocking and grass is scarce the weed is unavoidably eaten

• The poisons in ragwort are not destroyed by drying. ~Dried grass, hay and silage are common sources of ragwort poisoning as it can be undetectable and consumed readily

• Ragwort becomes much more palatable when cut or wilted as it loses its bitter taste

How do you Control Ragwort in your Pasture?

Control of ragwort is the only way to avoid ragwort poisoning.

Over and under grazing creates open patches where ragwort can readily establish itself.

Ragwort will not establish where there is a dense vigorous sward. Such a pasture can best be achieved through controlled grazing and/or regular fertilizer applications.

This encourages root development of grasses and makes a valuable contribution to preventing re-infestation.

• It is important to remove all potential sources of poisoning as quickly as possible

• To remove the danger to your animals a control strategy must be employed

• The chosen method of control should be the one least damaging to the environment and human health, whilst still being an effective method of control

Short Term Methods/ Small Ragwort Infestations

Digging/Pulling:

• Always wear gloves

• Needs to be done before flowering has completed

• Ragwort is more easily removed in the spring when the plant is immature or after heavy rainfall when the ground is soft

• Need to be carried out for at least 2 years as ragwort is a biennial, or if the pasture has a history of ragwort infestation this will have to be carried out annually due to the remaining seeds in the soil

• It is important to remove as much of the root as possible; ragwort can regenerate like docks from its root fragments

Cutting

• At the early flowering stage reduces seed production

• Acceptable in an emergency situation, but generally is not recommended since it encourages more vigorous growth

REMOVE AND BURN ALL WILTED AND DEAD RAGWORT FROM THE PASTURES AS IT IS MORE PALATABLE DRY AND WILL BE EATEN READILY BY LIVESTOCK

Long Term Methods/ Large Ragwort Infestation

Weed-killers

• A single application of weed-killer will not completely eliminate a ragwort infestation due to overlapping generations of the weed

• The time of year to apply the weedkiller depends on when ragwort is first noticed

1 Rosette stage first noticed in the spring, then first application should be late April or May.

2 Flowering stage first noticed then first application should be made in October before Frost damages the foliage

In either case the second application should be made late April the following calendar year.

• When to apply – in mild weather when the vegetation is dry and rain is not expected for at least five hours. To avoid wastage and drift spray on a calm day. All Paddocks should be sprayed at the same time to avoid infestation from adjoining paddocks.

• How to apply – Spot treatment using a knapsack sprayer or weed wiper using a brush, glove or stick with a ‘systemic total weed-killer’ is effective and least damaging to the environment. Or use a knapsack sprayer with a ‘selective weed-killer’. It should be remembered that selective weed-killers also control other broad-leaved plants, not just the ragwort and therefore leave areas of thin grass sward.

For advice on the choice of weed-killer and suitable application technique, seek advice from a BASIS trained agronomist by contacting your local agrochemical distributor (see Yellow Pages). Users must follow both product label advice and codes of practice to ensure that the product is used safely and effectively. Please note that two common label statements on the products likely to be used for ragwort are;-

• Exclude livestock from the treated area until specified

• Palatability of treated ragwort plants is increased therefore removal of all dead plants is essential

Alternative Herbicide

An alternative herbicide Barrier H (MAPP 10136) produced by Barrier Animal Healthcare, is natural and non-toxic and can be applied directly to ragwort all year round. Is has an advantage over other herbicides as animals only have to be excluded from grazing for two weeks. For advice on this herbicide contact Barrier Animal Healthcare, 36-37 Haverscroft Industrial Estate, New Road, Attleborough, Norfolk. NR17 1YE. Telephone 01953 456363

What to do if your land is threatened by Ragwort from an External Source

Ask the occupier of the land, who is responsible under the Weeds Act 1959 t remove the ragwort. If you are unsuccessful write to :-

For England – the nearest Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) Regional Service Centre

For Scotland – the nearest Scottish Office Agriculture Environment and Fisheries (SOAEFD) Area Office.

Wales - the nearest Welsh Office Agriculture Department.

N. Ireland – Weed Sciences Applied Plant Sciences Division, DARD, Telephone 02890 255267

If Ragwort Threatens non-Agricultural Land

Where such land is under threat from the spread of injurious weeds MAFF advises that the best course of action is for the complainant to seek a solution with the occupier of the infested land through constructive dialogue and persuasion. Ultimately however, if this is not possible, an occupier of land under threat may need to consider civil action through courts.

Roadside verges

If advised of ragwort infestation Local Authorities will usually take action

Cinnabar moth (Callimorpha jacobaeae)

Ragwort is a source of food for the Cinnabar moth and its black and yellow striped caterpillar.

NEWC National Equine Welfare Council – it is a grouping of equine welfare organizations working together for the benefit of equines.

For more information contact the

Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU

Telephone 01395 578222