http://www.ruralsolutions.sa.gov.au/new ... _poisoning]Phalaris Staggers can the prevented with the supplementation of cobalt.
Cobalt bullets are effective on most properties, but where phalaris is a problem, two bullets should be used.
Pastures can be misted with cobalt sulphate during the danger periods when phalaris is rapidly growing.
Water treatments and stock licks can be used, however not all stock may consume sufficient quantities to obtain protection.
Vitamin B12 is not effective in the prevention of phalaris staggers.
Phalaris Poisoning
Phalaris is one of the most productive perennial grasses in the South East, however farmers are advised to graze their phalaris pastures carefully during this time of the season to avoid poisoning.
Phalaris Poisoning generally occurs after opening or autumn rains. It is the young and actively growing shoots which are the most dangerous to animals. Poisoning can come in two forms; sudden death syndrome and staggers.
Sudden Death Syndrome occurs on both new and old pastures, usually causing death with in 48 hours of introduction. The syndrome is associated with hungry animals being put onto short, actively growing phalaris shoots that may have been stressed with lack of water or frosts.
Animals found dead exhibit an arched neck and appear to have struggled violently prior to death. These symptoms can be confused with pulpy kidney or tetanus.
There is no cure for this condition, nor will cobalt supplementation help prevention. If the mob is removed from the phalaris source, deaths will stop and remaining animals appear unaffected.
Care should be taken at the break of the season to ensure that hungry sheep do not have access to short phalaris dominant pastures.
Phalaris Staggers occurs on cobalt deficient phalaris pastures, usually seen 1-2 weeks after first introduction to short green phalaris pick. It is more commonly seen in sheep than cattle.
Staggers are caused by the ingestion of alkaloids found in green phalaris shoots. Stock can appear quite normal, then break down and stagger or throw themselves on the ground and convulse. Stressing or driving stock can heighten symptoms. Tremors, head nodding and incoordination and inability to keep legs straight may be observed.
Signs may persist for several weeks, however due to the damage to the spinal chord that is caused by the condition, animals never fully recover.
Phalaris Staggers can the prevented with the supplementation of cobalt.
Cobalt bullets are effective on most properties, but where phalaris is a problem, two bullets should be used.
Pastures can be misted with cobalt sulphate during the danger periods when phalaris is rapidly growing.
Water treatments and stock licks can be used, however not all stock may consume sufficient quantities to obtain protection.
Vitamin B12 is not effective in the prevention of phalaris staggers.
Careful grazing management and awareness of danger periods is essential to avoid stock losses and health problems.
For more information, contact PIRSA Animal Health; Struan, Mt Gambier and Keith.
