Wisconsin Ag Connection - State Vet: Know What You're Feeding Livestock

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

State Vet: Know What You're Feeding Livestock
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 02/01/2011

Wisconsin's state veterinarian says there are lessons to be learned after discovering how a large herd of steers died on a Portage County farm in January. Dr. Bob Ehlenfeldt is reminding producers to be aware of exactly what goes into their livestock feed rations. Those comments after the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Madison determined that 200 of the animals were poisoned by a toxin found in moldy sweet potatoes, which apparently were mixed in with potato waste fed to the steers.

"This was a very unfortunate incident. I'm glad to say that the producer involved followed the right course, testing at his own expense to find out what the cause was," Dr. Ehlenfeldt said. "So, if any good can come out of it, it may be that he's helped other livestock owners benefit from his experience and avoid the same kind of loss he suffered."

The lab said feed sample tests revealed the presence of ipomeanol, a mycotoxin found in moldy sweet potatoes. It was first suspected that a virus or other pathogen might have been responsible, because the animals exhibited symptoms consistent with pneumonia. However, laboratory tests found no evidence of any of the major viral pathogens that could cause a respiratory disease such as pneumonia.

Meanwhile, Ehlenfeldt stressed that byproduct use in livestock feed is appropriate and can be beneficial, but you need to know exactly what you're putting into rations.

"When you're feeding byproducts, you need to be thinking about what the nutritional value is, checking the quality, looking for mold and other problems," Dr. Ehlenfeldt said. "If you're mixing your own rations from commercial feeds, you need to be reading and following the labels. Understand the risks and the advantages, for the good of the animals and for your own bottom line."

The cattle deaths happened on a farm near Amherst located in the town of Stockton.

Other Wisconsin Headlines