Animal toxicity problems perceived to be associated with different
pasture types on East Coast sheep/beef farms
C.J. Korte, D.R. Smith
AgResearch, Hawkes Bay Research Centre, P.O. Box 85, Hastings,
New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993,
53: 133-138
A survey on the East Coast of the North Island was conducted to
provide information on the on-farm performance of drought tolerant pastures,
including perceptions on animal toxicity problems. During October-
December 1990 over 250 paddocks on 102 sheep/beef farms in Gisborne (23,
Hawkes Bay (32) and the Wairarapa (47) were surveyed. Botanical
composition was measured for each survey paddock from turf cores. No
animal health problems were reported for prairie grass pastures, but farmers
commented on improved animal performance from this pasture type. Animal
health problems mentioned by farmers surveyed were: (1) ryegrass staggers,
being reported for 58% of survey farms and 9% of survey paddocks.
Ryegrass staggers was usually mentioned for paddocks with a high perennial
ryegrass content (>40% cores containing ryegrass). It was mentioned less
frequently for mixed ryegrass- cocksfoot swards (>40% ryegrass, >10%
cocksfoot) than for swards containing similar levels of ryegrass but little
cocksfoot. (2) Bloat was mentioned more frequently for paddocks sown with
tall fescue (15%) than for other pasture types (3%). Tall fescue swards had a
higher clover content than ryegrass swards. (3) Stock ill-thrift (low growth
rate) was mentioned for 6 of the 260 survey paddocks. The common feature
of these paddocks was a moderate to high cocksfoot content (21- 72% cores
containing cocksfoot). (4) Phalaris toxicity was mentioned by 18% of
farmers who had phalaris pastures.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Ryegrass staggers; bloat; Phalaris toxicity; East Coast; perennial
ryegrass; tall fescue; phalaris; prairie grass.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
