Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

OVC Student Veterinarians Share Externship Experience: Apparently all hay is not created equally

Each summer DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College delve into practical experience at veterinary clinics across Ontario and additional locales. These blog posts are an opportunity to tag along with five of them this summer. This week student veterinarian Jodi took a pasture-to-plate approach to some hay samples. Check out all the student blogs at www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship

Working with Dr. Bob brings the unique opportunity to focus on some of his specialties like horse nutrition and toxic plants.  Each week, we make our way into the fields to discover what is growing and where.  I have already learnt a ton about the plants covering Southern Ontario pastures in early summer and have a better idea about the amount still left to learn.

This week, we also had the unique opportunity to take a ‘pasture-to-plate’ approach to our regular pasture walk.  I got to consult with Dr. Bob on a hay sample analysis submitted by a curious client.  The client wanted Dr. Bob’s comments on the hay composition as well as insight specifically on if the hay contained a toxic plant called hairy vetch (Vicia villosa).

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) was originally introduced from Europe and derives its name from its hairy stems and leaves.  It is toxic to both horses and cows if it is consumed in large quantities (as a major portion of their diet) when the plant is reaching maturity.  Typically, hairy vetch poisoning results in an immune system response that leads to skin issues, weight loss, diarrhea, and inflammation throughout the body.  In large enough quantities, pregnant animals may abort their fetuses and mature animals may die suddenly.  It is no wonder the client wanted to make sure we looked specifically for hairy vetch in the hay samples – it can be quite a nasty plant!

We set up our analysis station in front of the clinic and combed through the samples that were submitted.  A passerby even commented that we “look like kids playing in a sandbox” – it was quite fun!

Above is a photograph of some of our plant findings within the hay samples.  Each plant species contributes a different nutrient profile to the overall hay affecting its quality and suitability for different life stages like foals, adult horses, or pregnant mares.  From left to right in the photograph: red clover (with flowers), tufted common vetch (upper), tufted common vetch seed pods (lower), tufted common vetch freshly-picked, alfalfa (with flowers), mature orchard grass, mature brome grass, timothy hay, and mature blue grass.  Luckily, we did not find any hairy vetch in our searches and tufted common vetch does not have the same toxicity issues!

I had no idea how much complexity went into a bale of hay until I spent an afternoon ripping some apart and looking at them stem by stem.  I realize now that I had little respect for the plethora of species that exist and make up what I previously referred to as “grass”.  After a bit of time with the specialist though I have learnt that all hay is not created equally!

 

Views: 109

Comments are closed for this blog post

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Canadian pork producers respond to Product of USA rule

Following this week's announcement by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that the finalized Product of USA rule now means all meat products sold with that label must be derived from animals raised, slaughtered, and processed in the U.S., the Canadian pork industry, as well as Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development have expressed concern. In a joint statement, Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Minister Mary Ng said they are reviewing the final rule carefully and will closely monitor its impacts and implementation, including U.S. international trade obligations. "Canada remains concerned about any measures that may cause disruptions to the highly integrated North American meat and livestock supply chains. We are disappointed that the final rule does not appear to take into account the concerns we have continually brought forward related to our unique and important trading relationship. Canada inten

Canada responds to U.S. V-COOL rule

Canadian reps will continue to advocate for equitable U.S. market access

Canada’s farmland values continued to climb in 2023, FCC reports

The average value of Canadian farmland continued its steady climb in 2023, increasing by 11.5 per cent, slightly less than the 12.8 per cent increase reported in 2022, according to the latest FCC Farmland Values Report.

CANADIAN PORK COUNCIL REACTS TO VOLUNTARY PRODUCT OF USA ANNOUCEMENT

The Canadian Pork Council is disappointed comments from the pork industry on both sides of the border were not taken into consideration in the finalized rule, announced Monday by United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, mandating that all meat products sold with a “Product of the U.S.A.” label be derived from animals raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.

Canadian Pork Council reacts to voluntary product of USA announcement

The Canadian Pork Council is disappointed comments from the pork industry on both sides of the border were not taken into consideration in the finalized rule, announced Monday by United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, mandating that all meat products sold with a “Product of the U.S.A.” label be derived from animals raised, slaughtered, and processed in the United States.

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service