Ragwort and livestock

[Lucy Robyn]

Is ragwort poisonus to all livestock? I've found it in my field. The field is empty and neglected at the moment but I would like to let it out cheap or free to somone with pigs or goats to help clear the brambles etc, trouble is I don't want to poison anyones livestock. We only spotted a couple of plants and believe they need to be throughly dug out.

[Darroch]

We have a small farm and remove all ragwort by hand then it is burned. The poisons arent destroyed by drying it out and you're right it needs to be dug out as it will regrow from root left in the ground.
It is especially poisonous to horses and cows as far as I understand but is bad for all farm type animals if eaten( also deer and hare) and can cause death. If there is plenty of grass the ragwort tends to be ignored, the problem would be if the grazing became scarce and the animals started to eat it.
Best to get it out before it flowers.
You are doing absolutely the right thing by getting rid of it! It's evil!

[oldjerry]

It's toxic to livestock,though many will ignore it,the biggest problem is when it gets cut with hay,when it's more difficult to distinguish.If you have a large infestation it's worth spot-spraying with glyphosate(unethical,but then so is poisoning your animals)if you have it dotted around (kids are great at finding it, especially where reward is involved),the best thing we've found for digging it up is a pipe spade(long tapering curved blade).
NB. I'm afraid goats won't clear your brambles,nor will pigs,but the porkers will dig up all the roots(and everything else)if you cut the brambles down first. Best Wishes.

[Mrs H]

Many livestock tend not to eat ragwort when it is still growing, the problem generally comes when it is picked and left to dry, livestock seem to love it then and this is when its at its most poisonous. Clear all ragwort and burn it, its the safest way and wash ur hands immediatly after handling it as it will cause skin irritations. X

[mem6501]

We have a small farm and remove all ragwort by hand then it is burned. The poisons arent destroyed by drying it out and you're right it needs to be dug out as it will regrow from root left in the ground.
It is especially poisonous to horses and cows as far as I understand but is bad for all farm type animals if eaten( also deer and hare) and can cause death. If there is plenty of grass the ragwort tends to be ignored, the problem would be if the grazing became scarce and the animals started to eat it.
Best to get it out before it flowers.
You are doing absolutely the right thing by getting rid of it! It's evil!

It is poisonous but poisoning is actually rare. It really isn't as evil as all that.

There is a lot of misinformation around often put out by people with a financial interest.

See these websites which are based on proper science and information


Ragwort Facts
Ragwort the myths and hoaxes debunked
Ragwort Myths and Facts

And this one for the environmental damage ragwort panic is causing.
Ragwort : Yellow Peril or Precious Flower?

[oldjerry]

Well I don't think anyones advocating napalming large areas of the countryside just digging up the damn things here and there,same as I cut down most Thisles,Dig up Docks etc,Iknow there all gods creation but sometime they're in the wrong place.Much as I respect Richard Mabey,I think the conservation lobby(more power to them) would do better to target the multi million pound industry covering vast areas of the UK with non native species.(see historic rant of mine,or better still don't bother!).

[Millymollymandy]

Don't worry Mem there is so much of it in Brittany I don't think there will be a problem for the environment. If Cinnabar moths can fly far enough they can all come here chez moi - I don't have livestock so it is welcome to grow in my wild bits and this year we have had so many cinnabar caterpillars on it, it was absolutely amazing. I have a healthy regard for this plant but wouldn't want it in a field with horses grazing, but outside of fields it should be allowed to grow, just like any other wild flower. It's no more evil than foxgloves or yew or anything else which is toxic to livestock.

[grahamhobbs]

Does the law still apply? I thought the law stated that landowners were responsible for removing ragwort and could be fined if they didn't.

[mem6501]

Does the law still apply? I thought the law stated that landowners were responsible for removing ragwort and could be fined if they didn't.

No not really. This is what some of the really extreme anti-ragwort panic people would have you believe.
But it isn't true. It is like parking. You can be ordered not to park somewhere. You can be ordered in extreme circumstances to control ragwort. It is not illegal to park your car. It is not compulsory to control ragwort.
In fact the official guidance emphasises its importance for ecology and doesn't say control it everywhere.

Here are some links.

Ragwort law
Ragwort law

and another general one which says the same kind of thing

Ragwort the sense and the nonsense