Keep livestock away from hemlock
By
John Grimes-
In case you weren’t aware, summer has officially arrived. You may be a bit confused by this fact. Yes, temperatures have certainly been at a level that would make you think that summer had arrived. However, continued rainfall and the lush, green growing conditions are more reminiscent of spring.
One summer-related activity that is just around the corner for farmers is wheat harvest.
Highland County has fewer acres of wheat to harvest this year and there are some diseases such as head scab and rust that will impact yields in certain areas.
Keep livestock away
from poison hemlock
The carrot family, which boasts a variety of familiar edibles such as parsley, celery, carrots, anise, fennel and cilantro, also contains a highly poisonous plant that many people confuse for its nontoxic counterparts. Stan Smith, an Ohio State University Extension program assistant in agriculture and natural resources, said people should learn to recognize poison hemlock. The noxious weed looks similar to and smells like other plants in the carrot family (Apiaceae, formerly known as Umbelliferae). Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) originated in Europe, but is now commonly found in Ohio, growing in wet, wooded areas and open fields, and along roadsides and railroad tracks.
“The population of poison hemlock along field edges, in fence rows, around barn lots, and now even growing throughout hay fields seems to have reached new proportions this year,” said Smith. “Producers should be especially mindful of poison hemlock growing in proximity to their livestock herds.”
Poison hemlock, most famous as the plant that was used to execute the Greek philosopher Socrates, can be fatal if ingested. The plant was used through the 19th century as a narcotic, an anticoagulant and to treat inflammatory diseases, but was discontinued because of the uncertainty of dosage required. Coniine, the active ingredient in the plant, is also a poison that causes paralysis of the muscles, including those used for breathing. There is no known antidote.
“All parts of the plant are poisonous including the leaves, stems, seeds and roots. Simply handling the plant can cause toxic reactions in humans,” said Smith. “Thankfully, the taste of leaves and seeds to livestock is unpleasant, so toxic quantities are seldom consumed when ample desirable feed is available for the animals.”
Smith said that cattle can usually survive poison hemlock if consumed in amounts less than 0.4 percent of their body weight, although abortions are possible at lower rates.
The main feature that distinguishes poison hemlock from other carrot family members is its tall size, growing upwards of 10 to 12 feet in moist conditions. The plant produces small white flowers that are typical of the carrot family, and has a smooth, purple-spotted stem and dark, glossy-green and fern-like triangular leaves. It has a fleshy white taproot. Both the leaves and roots have a disagreeable parsnip-like odor.
Smith said that herbicides are the best way to control poison hemlock.
“Crossbow and Banvel are fairly effective on small poison hemlock. Taller plants may need to be controlled with glyphosate,” said Smith. “Mowing after the plants have bolted and before setting seed will prevent seed production.”
Smith said that poison hemlock is often confused with giant hogweed, a plant exhibiting many similarities and one that is also spreading rapidly across Ohio.
For more information consult OSU Extension Bulletin 762-00, “Poisonous Plants,” at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b762/b762_24.html and Bulletin 866-98, “Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio,” at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b866/b866_6.html.
Apple scab and frogeye
The wet, moist weather during the past few weeks, combined with spores of the apple scab fungus (Venturia inaequalis) have created the perfect storm for infection periods. The result will be a year to really challenge both crabapple and apple resistance to the apple scab disease. Already evident in certain crabapples, those which are very susceptible, is the phenomenon known as sheet scab. Sheet scab occurs when infections are so numerous, that they cover the entire leaf surface “like a sheet.” This causes the developing leaves to be severely distorted, often with necrotic blotches and covered with drab, olive gray-green mold. These infections cause the leaf to eventually turn yellow and then drop off.
Another fungus, Botryosphaeria obtusa or frogeye leaf spot, can also cause scab resistant apples and crabapples to defoliate. It is often mistaken for apple scab, simply because it, too, causes infected leaves to turn yellow and drop off. Frogeye lesions are perfectly round, about 1/16” wide, with a purple border initially, which fades as the infection matures. The lesion will eventually be entirely brown and may even drop out. It is entirely possible to have either apple scab or frog-eye leaf spot fungi infecting a leaf or have both infect the same leaf at the same time.
What can be done at this point? Nothing can be done to alter or protect the already infected leaves. Don’t panic because both fungi, apple scab and frogeye leaf spot, have never been shown to outright kill trees. Leafless trees are a landscape liability and extremely ugly and it’s hard to sit in the shade and sip a cool drink when there are no leaves. Yes, fungicides may help protect new foliage, but only if it has not already been infected by the apple scab fungus. This approach will also require multiple fungicide applications to continue to protect the leaves as they expand. However, the best way to handle this issue is to use genetic resistance to help in the battle against the evil apple scab.
Injury prevention
Overexertion is an injury risk faced by farmers on a daily basis. The farm is not only a workplace, but a home place as well, and both household and occupational operations occur simultaneously.
Overexertion is a major cause of the inflammation of joints and ligaments that results from excessive physical effort. According to the National Safety Council, overexertion injuries, mainly sprains and strains, to the back or spine comprise about 40 percent of both on and off-the-job injuries.
For more information on injury prevention from overexertion, contact Kent McGuire, OSU Agricultural Safety and Health, at mcguire.225@osu.edu or 614-292-0588.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
One summer-related activity that is just around the corner for farmers is wheat harvest.
Highland County has fewer acres of wheat to harvest this year and there are some diseases such as head scab and rust that will impact yields in certain areas.
Keep livestock away
from poison hemlock
The carrot family, which boasts a variety of familiar edibles such as parsley, celery, carrots, anise, fennel and cilantro, also contains a highly poisonous plant that many people confuse for its nontoxic counterparts. Stan Smith, an Ohio State University Extension program assistant in agriculture and natural resources, said people should learn to recognize poison hemlock. The noxious weed looks similar to and smells like other plants in the carrot family (Apiaceae, formerly known as Umbelliferae). Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) originated in Europe, but is now commonly found in Ohio, growing in wet, wooded areas and open fields, and along roadsides and railroad tracks.
“The population of poison hemlock along field edges, in fence rows, around barn lots, and now even growing throughout hay fields seems to have reached new proportions this year,” said Smith. “Producers should be especially mindful of poison hemlock growing in proximity to their livestock herds.”
Poison hemlock, most famous as the plant that was used to execute the Greek philosopher Socrates, can be fatal if ingested. The plant was used through the 19th century as a narcotic, an anticoagulant and to treat inflammatory diseases, but was discontinued because of the uncertainty of dosage required. Coniine, the active ingredient in the plant, is also a poison that causes paralysis of the muscles, including those used for breathing. There is no known antidote.
“All parts of the plant are poisonous including the leaves, stems, seeds and roots. Simply handling the plant can cause toxic reactions in humans,” said Smith. “Thankfully, the taste of leaves and seeds to livestock is unpleasant, so toxic quantities are seldom consumed when ample desirable feed is available for the animals.”
Smith said that cattle can usually survive poison hemlock if consumed in amounts less than 0.4 percent of their body weight, although abortions are possible at lower rates.
The main feature that distinguishes poison hemlock from other carrot family members is its tall size, growing upwards of 10 to 12 feet in moist conditions. The plant produces small white flowers that are typical of the carrot family, and has a smooth, purple-spotted stem and dark, glossy-green and fern-like triangular leaves. It has a fleshy white taproot. Both the leaves and roots have a disagreeable parsnip-like odor.
Smith said that herbicides are the best way to control poison hemlock.
“Crossbow and Banvel are fairly effective on small poison hemlock. Taller plants may need to be controlled with glyphosate,” said Smith. “Mowing after the plants have bolted and before setting seed will prevent seed production.”
Smith said that poison hemlock is often confused with giant hogweed, a plant exhibiting many similarities and one that is also spreading rapidly across Ohio.
For more information consult OSU Extension Bulletin 762-00, “Poisonous Plants,” at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b762/b762_24.html and Bulletin 866-98, “Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio,” at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b866/b866_6.html.
Apple scab and frogeye
The wet, moist weather during the past few weeks, combined with spores of the apple scab fungus (Venturia inaequalis) have created the perfect storm for infection periods. The result will be a year to really challenge both crabapple and apple resistance to the apple scab disease. Already evident in certain crabapples, those which are very susceptible, is the phenomenon known as sheet scab. Sheet scab occurs when infections are so numerous, that they cover the entire leaf surface “like a sheet.” This causes the developing leaves to be severely distorted, often with necrotic blotches and covered with drab, olive gray-green mold. These infections cause the leaf to eventually turn yellow and then drop off.
Another fungus, Botryosphaeria obtusa or frogeye leaf spot, can also cause scab resistant apples and crabapples to defoliate. It is often mistaken for apple scab, simply because it, too, causes infected leaves to turn yellow and drop off. Frogeye lesions are perfectly round, about 1/16” wide, with a purple border initially, which fades as the infection matures. The lesion will eventually be entirely brown and may even drop out. It is entirely possible to have either apple scab or frog-eye leaf spot fungi infecting a leaf or have both infect the same leaf at the same time.
What can be done at this point? Nothing can be done to alter or protect the already infected leaves. Don’t panic because both fungi, apple scab and frogeye leaf spot, have never been shown to outright kill trees. Leafless trees are a landscape liability and extremely ugly and it’s hard to sit in the shade and sip a cool drink when there are no leaves. Yes, fungicides may help protect new foliage, but only if it has not already been infected by the apple scab fungus. This approach will also require multiple fungicide applications to continue to protect the leaves as they expand. However, the best way to handle this issue is to use genetic resistance to help in the battle against the evil apple scab.
Injury prevention
Overexertion is an injury risk faced by farmers on a daily basis. The farm is not only a workplace, but a home place as well, and both household and occupational operations occur simultaneously.
Overexertion is a major cause of the inflammation of joints and ligaments that results from excessive physical effort. According to the National Safety Council, overexertion injuries, mainly sprains and strains, to the back or spine comprise about 40 percent of both on and off-the-job injuries.
For more information on injury prevention from overexertion, contact Kent McGuire, OSU Agricultural Safety and Health, at mcguire.225@osu.edu or 614-292-0588.
John Grimes is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]