This insightful article about commonplace poisonous plants and how the can effect animals and humans alike.

With summer days coming to a close end, we can finally cease the frantic fireproofing and enjoy the cool hydration of coming Autumn weather to help us all relax a bit. Relax?  Psych !

Though the cool breeze and wet weather are welcome, what follows the seasonal change isn’t quite as hospitable. Weeds and noxious growth! Never a moment’s rest.

But how many of you out there really know what you’re getting into while removing these tedious little guests? Better yet, what your animals (especially livestock) are getting into??

Many of you might be thinking, “No worries, most animals know which plants are poisonous, and not to eat them.” Which, although true, there are species of plants/weeds that hide their toxicity quite well by boasting their palatable nature. If it tastes good, eat it- right?

You could also tell yourself that it can’t be that bad of an issue, after all, most of the plants coming up are ones you’ve dealt with your whole life and never had an issue with. That you know of.

More than just poisonous, there are many varying levels of toxicity and disease from plants. Such as:

• NITRATE POISONING

• OXALATE POISONING

• LIVER DISEASE

• SUNLIGHT SENSITIVITY

• CYANIDE POISONING

• ORGAN FAILURE

• SKIN IRRITATION/CONTACT DERMATITIS

• CARDIOVASCULAR PROBLEMS

• PHYSICAL INJURY

Which provides an idea with the range of damage these plants are capable of.

• ALWAYS USE GLOVES , AVOID DIRECT CONTACT, & KNOW WHAT YOU’RE HANDLING AS A PRECAUTION!

And, believe it or not, some of these harbingers are very commonplace and not properly heeded. Odds are, you might have lost a cow or possibly a horse to something that seemed plausible for the time being, never knowing that it could have eaten something in the pasture which ultimately caused the fatality.

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So, to raise awareness and help you further protect your homestead, and the furry friends that occupy it, I’ll provide a link with an informative index, complete with visual identification, of the most concerning and probable invaders below- So, get your bookmarks and/or printer at the ready!

http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/poisonous-plants-commonly-found-pastures

Also check out the following link for a more in depth look at the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s high priority weeds list, educate yourself on the O.D.A.’s Plant Programs, and help them get closer to noxious eradication!

http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/Pages/index.aspx