From staff reports STILLWATER – Oklahoma State University has received reports of cattle deaths due to prussic acid toxicity. Extension educators are offering tips to help producers protect their herds.
Prussic acid toxicity occurs in certain sorghum family plants when temperatures rise and the ground dries out.
Prussic acid toxicity is commonly linked to the consumption of Johnsongrass, one of Oklahoma’s most invasive plants. However, the nitrate toxicity in other sorghum plants such as foxtail millet is low.
Symptoms of prussic acid poisoning in cattle include muscle tremors, excess salivation, staggering, breathing difficulties, convulsions and collapse.
Producers are cautioned to never turn hungry cattle onto a new pasture, and to rotate pastures to prevent the cattle from consuming lush regrowth. Before allowing cattle to graze, ranchers should identify the toxicity level of any sorghum variety.
Prussic acid toxicity is higher in young and/or drought-stressed plants. To prevent prussic acid poisoning, contact your local OSU Extension Office to test your forage, take soil samples and fertilize accordingly, and place one or two cattle in the pasture for observation before turning in all the cattle.