29/06/2022
There has been quite significant increase in firew**d plants locally this season, possibly due to the increase in rainfall.
Below is an article containing some very good advice regarding this introduced toxic species...
Seasonal Reminder – Firew**d
We have had numerous reports that firew**d is flourishing in many areas of Australia after recent rains. Horse owners should be aware of the toxicity of this w**d and take steps to remove as much as possible from paddocks while encouraging pasture growth to compete with emerging firew**d plants. Remember to wear gloves when pulling the w**ds out and if you have flowering firew**d in your pastures, try to remove it before the seed sets. Like many w**ds, firew**d is easier to pull out after rain, so keep that in mind when planning a time to tackle pasture w**ds. Read on to learn more about this difficult to control w**d.
Firew**d (Senecio Madagascariensis) is an introduced perennial w**d that is native to southern Africa. It was first recorded in the Hunter Valley in 1918 and it has since established along the entire east coast of NSW. This invasive w**d has spread to inland NSW and also north into parts of Queensland and south into Victoria. In 2012 it was declared a W**d of National Significance because of its negative impact on the environment, as well as its detrimental effects on animal health and productivity.
Firew**d is difficult to control and all parts of the plant are poisonous to grazing animals. Horses are the most susceptible species and if you suspect that your horse has consumed firew**d it is important to consult with your vet to see if a blood test to check liver function is advised.
The toxins in Firew**d are pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are the same toxins that are in Paterson’s Curse. Ingestion of small amounts of these toxins over time can cause chronic liver damage. The first sign is often redness and swelling of the skin, particularly on white legs and faces, due to photosensitisation. The horse might go off its feed, seem depressed and it could become uncoordinated in its movements when liver damage is very advanced.
In rare cases, where a horse might consume very large amounts of firew**d in a short period of time, acute and severe liver damage can occur. In this case a horse will suddenly go off its feed and might show signs of colic, abdominal swelling, yellowing of the mucous membranes from jaundice and there might be sudden behavioural changes.
Thankfully, firew**d is bitter tasting and most horses will generally avoid the plant if other pasture is available. Some horses might eat it during times of drought when there is very little feed available, or when firew**d has grown out of control and taken over entire paddocks, crowding out grasses and other safe forage species.
One of the highest risks to horses from firew**d is accidental ingestion in hay. The dried plant can lose some of its bitterness and will be consumed along with other palatable hay components, such as lucerne or the grasses in meadow hay. Always check through new hay batches to make sure it is not contaminated with w**ds that might be poisonous to your horse.
Firew**d can be difficult to control on horse properties once it’s established. If you see one or a few individual firew**d plants in your paddocks – dig them out, roots and all – bag the entire plant to prevent escape of seeds and dispose of it. Don’t compost it or leave it on the ground to wilt and die, firstly because seeds may escape but also because the wilting plant will be more palatable to horses than the growing plant. If there are too many plants to remove by hand, spot spraying can be done to control, or hopefully eradicate, the w**d before it spreads further on your property. Speak to your local agronomist or produce store to work out the best herbicide for your local conditions. It may be worth speaking to your local Council as in many areas where firew**d is a problem, Councils have established guidelines and advice to help locals control the w**d on their properties. Regular slashing at 2-3 week intervals (preferably before seeding) can keep the w**ds from seeding and hot dry conditions may kill them over a 2-3 month period.
Many cattle farmers use sheep or goats to control firew**d, as these species are much more tolerant of the toxins compared to cattle or horses. Sheep have been found to be the best animals to help control the w**d as they are easier to contain than goats and they will eat large amounts of firew**d. Although sheep and goats are more tolerant to the toxins in firew**d, over a period of a few years they may be adversely affected, so for the welfare of the animal it is best to only graze them on firew**d for short periods of time.
Our group, Talking Horse Health and Nutrition, often features advice about poisonous plants and mysterious w**ds in Australian pastures. If you have a question about w**ds or plants that may be consumed by your horses, then come and join the discussion at https://www.facebook.com/groups/talkinghorsehealth/
