Ragwort

[openspaceman]

We lads that speak doric ( Aberdeenshire dialect ) just call them tansys not tansy ragwort.

 

what do you call tansy then? Or doesn't it grow that north?

 

And on a related question how far south does bog myrtle grow in the wild, I miss it in our wet heaths.

[sueonmull]

I came across the myth/facts website and the author’s associated blog some time ago. I approached the facts with an open mind and read those references provided and then also others that were not. I found many of the quotes were biased and misleading, sometimes relying heavily on nit picking and very selective editing. In some cases the information was simply wrong

Few are calling for ragwort to be eradicated, the Ragwort Code of Practice outlines how to risk assess and remove where appropriate and it also details legal aspects and landowner/occupier responsibilities with respect to controlling its spread. Anyone interested can read it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69264/pb9840-cop-ragwort.pdf

Ragwort is more dangerous in hay but it is still dangerous in grazing. Even in lush grazing young seedlings can be eaten when small, in drought conditions ragwort plants survive better than grass, when trampled/seeded/wilted ragwort will be eaten and some animals do just get a taste for it. That’s without considering that once established ragwort is very difficult to control and seeds will build up in the field’s seed bank storing up problems for future years.

Following the Ragwort Code of Practice and removing only where it is judged to be a risk should keep everyone happy. Sadly while some conservation groups promote tolerating ragwort in grazing and even want to repeal the weeds act and ragwort control act, they are doing a very good job of convincing people that ragwort is really nothing to worry about which does nothing to educate those owners who keep their animals in poor conditions.

Ragwort as a plant is not consistent – the total pyrrolizidine alkaloid content and types of PAs it contains may vary such that two identical looking plants growing next to other can be different, with soil type and growing conditions having an additional effect. As regards the toxicity to animals it is well documented that certain species are more sensitive but within each species the sex, age, diet, general health etc of each individual can affect its susceptibility to PAs and some species may be very resistant to some PAs but highly sensitive to others. It’s a minefield out there and there will always be exceptions to the rule such as animals that can apparently consume unusually large quantities of the toxic plant with no obvious side effects.

With respect to handling the plant, I would always recommend using gloves as I usually do myself when handling anything which may cause an adverse/allergic reaction. I did become rather more lax when I read that apparently the PAs in ragwort were in N-oxide form so needed to be ingested before they caused any adverse affects. I then found out that with improvements in analytical techniques, significant amounts of the more toxic free base WERE present in ragwort. To me personally it is of no huge importance and anyone who handles any plant needs to take whatever precautions they see fit – particularly if they have broken skin. I worry more about dismissing the possibility purely by making an incorrect assumption especially when injected PA has been shown to be toxic.

Unlike most other poisonous plants, those containing PA (and few are as common and difficult to control in grazing as ragwort) cause cumulative damage and a toxic dose doesn’t have to be eaten all at once, it can be eaten little by little over an extended period of months or even years. Even then the animal may show no symptoms at all until long after any ragwort has been eaten. Some animals may returned to some clinical normality, but they may be unable to cope with additional stress whether that be by having a limited ability to fight illness and disease or ‘simply’ being intolerant of exercise. Once symptoms show the animal may be beyond any treatment.

Ragwort is toxic but how many animals die directly or indirectly from ragwort poisoning is an impossible question to answer. A post mortem is currently the only way to positively confirm PA poisoning, few are carried out and even then the precise source of the PA is unlikely to be determined.

In my opinion ragwort doesn’t belong anywhere in or near grazing or land used to produce preserved forage be that hay/silage/haylage or pelletised feed.

Following the guidelines of the Ragwort Code of Practice should atleast ensure that ragwort is removed only where it is judged to be a risk. Where it is not it can be left for the benefit of invertebrates. Pasture management plays an important part in reducing ragwort in grazing but appropriate control in neighbouring areas is also important giving those who maintain grazing and/or grow forage, perhaps as their livelihood, the best chance of producing a ragwort free product.

[Jamespepperpot]

From my own experience, as a teenager I was sent round the farm to pull up every piece of ragwort I could find and every year the number decreased until now where I don't have to do it any more. Pulling it out definitely works!

[djbobbins]

From my own experience, as a teenager I was sent round the farm to pull up every piece of ragwort I could find and every year the number decreased until now where I don't have to do it any more. Pulling it out definitely works!

 

 

I was tasked to do the same but fortunately we only had just over three acres. Still, I remember it was hard going on the back for the 2p per plant that I got paid!

[Billhook]

Grazing sheep on ragwort?

[Mull]

Grazing sheep on ragwort?

 

 

Pretty much sums it up I think.

Some of it suggests sheep are slaughtered early in their life, don't think that's the case, when they become long in the tooth grazing is impaired and welfare becomes an issue.

[sueonmull]

Sheep are less susceptible to ragwort poisoning than other grazing animals, and some breeds more tolerant than others. However young animals are more prone and even older ones will suffer if they eat excessive amounts.

[Prunus]

sometimes relying heavily on nit picking

 

This is an old thread but I see Sue has been refering to it on social media.

What do you mean by nit picking?

 

It rather seems to me that we need to look at the bigger picture and that the equine charities have been caught out putting out false information on ragwort that sounds horrific but when investigated turns out not to be true. If the facts given out are false then the awareness raised is also false.

[Prunus]

This is an old thread but I see Sue has been refering to it on social media.

What do you mean by nit picking?

 

It rather seems to me that we need to look at the bigger picture and that the equine charities have been caught out putting out false information on ragwort that sounds horrific but when investigated turns out not to be true. If the facts given out are false then the awareness raised is also false.

 

 

I see you don't want to reply to me and looking around on Google you have had real trouble defending your points when debating the issue. I really am not sure at all that you should be as confident in your beliefs as you are. For example your claim that a post mortem can positively identify PA poisoning doesn't agree with the text books.

 

Ragwort poisoning no test can confirm ragwort poisoning 100%

[Brad1]

I don't know about other areas, but in Sussex the verges are full of ragwort these days. That has only happened over the last few years as councils have stopped spraying, or at least cut back.

 

It's not uncommon to see fields crammed full of the stuff and I happen to believe it's very toxic to horses, especially in hay. I always pull it up on my own land, but every year there are more seedlings as it spreads from unkempt land.