Watch for slender iceplant poisoning on cereal stubbles

Department of Agriculture and Food veterinarian Roy Butler said many cereal stubble paddocks in the central and eastern wheatbelt were likely to contain slender iceplant.

“During summer, slender iceplant is dead, grey and crumbly and most attractive to sheep, most likely because of its high sodium content,” Dr Butler said.

“To minimise the risk of poisoning, provide sheep with salt, preferably with some limestone, for a week before they enter the stubbles and throughout their stay in the paddock.

“Also feed sheep well before they go into cereal stubbles, preferably with hay.”

Dr Butler said slender iceplant contained high levels of soluble oxalate, which when eaten blocked calcium supply to the sheep’s muscles, including the heart.

“If possible, graze sheep for a couple of weeks in a paddock containing bluebush or saltbush to allow the rumen to adapt to breaking down oxalate before sheep are put into cereal stubbles,” he said.

Dr Butler said slender iceplant poisoning usually occurred within two days of sheep being placed on stubbles but sheep could recover if treated at the first signs.

“Farmers should check sheep daily for their first few days on cereal stubbles and watch for sheep that are unable to stand, are lying on their chests, or whose heads are flopping onto their sides,” he said.

“Affected sheep may also have a thick, clear discharge from their nostrils.

“Inject affected sheep with calcium borogluconate under the skin as soon as possible. Also sit affected sheep upright as sheep left lying on their sides will bloat and die.”

For more information, search on ‘slender iceplant’ on the department’s website at www.agric.wa.gov.au