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Sheuneni Kurasha
Farmer’s Diary
As the early morning sun cast long shadows across his farm, Jamwanda, a seasoned crop farmer who had recently ventured into sheep farming in Nyanga, Manicaland Province, dialled his neighbour’s number with trembling hands.
His voice, usually steady and commanding, was now shaky and filled with panic.
“Hello, Chivara, it’s Jamwanda. I need your help urgently,” he began. “Several of my lambs are down, and I think they have eaten something poisonous.
“They are showing all the signs — drooling, trembling, foaming and some can’t even stand. I have never seen anything like this. What should I do?”
Chivara, a seasoned small stock breeder who had dealt with similar issues on his farm, responded with calm reassurance.
“Take a deep breath, Jamwanda. Let’s handle this step by step. First, isolate the affected lambs from the rest of the flock to prevent any more from eating the same plants . . . “
This scene, unfortunately, is a stark depiction of reality for small stock farmers across the country, especially during the dry season.
Plant poisoning poses a significant threat to small livestock, leading to substantial losses and distress.
Understanding how to prevent and treat plant poisoning is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and profitability of both small-scale and commercial farming.
This week’s instalment is dedicated to equipping goat and sheep farmers with the knowledge and tools to combat this problem and safeguard their livestock.
Understanding plant poisoning
Plant poisoning occurs when livestock consume plants containing toxic substances.
During the dry season, the risk increases as goats and sheep forage on less common and potentially harmful vegetation due to the scarcity of their usual diet.
Common toxic plants in Zimbabwe include Lantana camara, which causes liver damage, photosensitivity and sometimes death; Crotalaria species, which contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids leading to liver failure; Solanum species (nightshades), which can cause gastrointestinal and neurological issues; and Euphorbia species, which cause severe irritation and gastrointestinal distress.
Preventive measures
Prevention is always better than cure. Accordingly, farmers must take precautionary and preventative measures to avoid plant poisoning in their livestock.
There are several proactive steps that farmers can take in this regard.
Educate yourself and your farm workers by taking time to learn to identify common toxic plants that may be present in your area.
Educate your farm workers about the risks associated with these plants and the signs of plant poisoning in livestock, such as drooling, foaming, trembling and inability to stand.
Conduct regular training sessions and create easy-to-understand reference materials to ensure everyone on the farm is informed.
Conduct regular thorough and routine inspections of grazing areas to identify any toxic plants that may pose a risk to your livestock.
Make it a habit to walk through the pastures frequently, especially during the dry season when toxic plants are more likely to be consumed.
Once you identify toxic plants, take prompt action to remove them either mechanically, by manually pulling them out or using appropriate tools, or chemically, by applying suitable herbicides.
Ensure a consistent and sufficient supply of quality fodder to reduce the risk of livestock foraging on harmful plants due to hunger or scarcity.
Regularly check that your animals have access to nutritious and plentiful feed throughout the year.
During the dry season, when grazing options are limited, supplement their diet with hay or commercial feed to meet their nutritional needs and prevent them from seeking out potentially toxic plants.
Access to a well-balanced and reliable feed supply will minimise your animals’ exposure to harmful vegetation.
Implement controlled and rotational grazing by dividing pastures into smaller sections and rotating livestock through these sections on a scheduled basis.
This approach prevents overgrazing, allows pastures to recover and reduces the likelihood of animals encountering and consuming toxic plants.
Additionally, fence off areas known to have high concentrations of toxic plants to prevent livestock from accessing them.
Finally, regularly check the condition of your goats and sheep for any early signs of poisoning, such as changes in behaviour, drooling, foaming at the mouth, tremors, or difficulty standing.
Implement a routine health check protocol to ensure that any issues are detected promptly. Being vigilant and responsive to potential symptoms allows the farmer to timely address problems before they escalate.
Identifying affected animals
Farmers may not always be able to prevent their animals from being exposed to plant poisoning. In such cases, identifying affected animals is crucial for managing the issue effectively.
Symptoms to watch for include sudden changes in behaviour, drooling and frothing at the mouth. Affected animals may also show signs of diarrhoea or constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Neurological symptoms such as tremors, in-coordination and seizures are also common, along with photosensitivity and skin lesions.
Early identification of the symptoms is essential for ensuring timely treatment and mitigating the impact of plant poisoning on your livestock.
Step-by-step approach to treatment
Quickly isolate any animals showing signs of poisoning to prevent further ingestion of toxic plants. Administer activated charcoal to help absorb toxins.
Activated charcoal is a form of processed carbon with a high surface area, capable of adsorbing a variety of substances. It is commonly used in medical and veterinary settings to treat poisoning and overdoses.
It works by binding to toxins and chemicals in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream, and thereby reducing the severity of poisoning or overdose.
Activated charcoal is most effective when administered soon after ingestion of the toxic substance and is available at veterinary shops.
Keep the animals in a shaded, stress-free environment to aid their recovery.
Ensure that affected animals have access to clean water as part of their supportive care. In severe cases, seek immediate veterinary assistance for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Intravenous fluids may be necessary to prevent dehydration and support organ function. Always follow the veterinarian’s advice on administering specific antidotes or treatments.
Finally, continuously monitor the affected animals’ recovery and gradually reintroduce them to their normal diet once they show signs of improvement.
Conclusion
Plant poisoning in goats and sheep is a significant concern for farmers, particularly during the dry season when the risk is heightened. Jamwanda’s distressing situation highlights the challenges small stock farmers face and underscores the importance of proactive measures to reduce the risk of plant poisoning. Early identification and prompt treatment are crucial for mitigating the impact of plant poisoning.
Sheuneni Kurasha is the managing director of Chivara Farm, a diversified farming operation which specialises in stud breeding for small livestock (Boer goats, Kalahari, Red goats, Damara sheep and Meatmaster sheep) as well as Boran cattle. For feedback, kindly get in touch on email: [email protected]; X: @chivarafarm or WhatsApp: +263 77 2874 523.
Online Reporter