Wet summer brings out dangers for cattle

Recently in Kit Carson County, a producer contacted CSU Area Extension Livestock Specialist Travis Taylor with a mystery. The producer had a group of cows that quickly grazed through an area as they were moving pastures, and by the end of the day three had perished. 

After investigating with the producers, Travis found an unusual plant which had been consumed. The plant was identified as groundcherry (Physalis angulate). This plant is a member of the nightshade family, and although the berries are not considered toxic, the plant and leaves are. Cattle consumed some of the plants, and poisoning from the plant is suspected as the most likely cause of the loss.

According to Area Extension Horticulture Specialist Linda Langelo, “There are 30 species that grow throughout the U.S., and there is a continual debate about the exact boundaries of species. In very wet years in places such as Kit Carson County we see these plants. They grow in mostly disturbed areas. There are a number of farmers who have them on the edges of their fields or in the ditches. They grow in almost any soil and full sun or part shade.”

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