The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-03-03
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
Forage Poisoning Threatens to Cause
Heavy Losses in Outbreaks Among
Horses ard Mules.

During the Fall of 1912 numerous
outbreaks of forage poisoning occur
red throughout the State of Kentucky,
but in the Spring of 1913 when the
animals were turned out to pasture
he losses were soon checked. In the
last two months numerous letters
have been received from farmers re-
porting the presence of this disease
very virtulent form, resulting in
the loss of an number of animals
Some outbreaks have occurred, so
sudden and fatal in their onset, that
owners have suspected malicious
poisoning. Examination of the stom-
ach contents of the animals fatally af-
fected eliminating suspicion.
The cause of this disease is closely
related to the feed. IN the majority
of outbreaks observed in the Blue
Grass section and along the Ohio Riv-
er counties, where it has been the
most prevalent, the cause is attribut-
ed to moldy or inferior ensilage.
Samples of ensilage have been re-
ceiyed at the Experiment Station for
detailed study, and DIR. H. Garman re-
ports the presence of molds which are
considered the cause of forage poison:
ing in one of the middle western
States.
Samples of ensilage that proved ia
tai in different outbreaks were Sc
cured by the Station and for the past
thirty days have been fed to an ex-
perimental horse. AS yet this ami
NAL has not suffered from the disease,
but inasmuch as the animal used in
this experiment is aged and as such
animals possess much natural resist
ance that young and growing animals
do not just conclusions cannot be
drawn.
The disease has occurred more
commonly in horses and mules where
ensilage was the principal food En-
silage of a high grade can be fed
to horses and mules with both safety
and profit, but when tainted or infe-
rior, ensilage should be fed very SPAR
inSly to any class of live stock. Cat
tie, however, are not so subject to it's
i'll effects as are horses and mules.
The practice of feeding ensilage to
the latter must be carried on with
care, and careful inspection of the
ensilaget must be made at each feed
ferior portions. 1t should not be fed
early in the morning or late in the
evening when it is impossible to de-
tect the spoiled and inferior feed.
There seems to be but little doubt
that this trouble could be wholly elm
mated, or partially so. by the correct
construction of the silo, as a majority
of the outbreaks have occurred where
the silo was improperly built All
silos should be covered. The silo ex-
pert may not concede that this is es-
sential, but our observations lead us
to believe that this is an excellent
precaution. Any growth of mould or
decomposition in the upper layers of
the silage will be carried downward
by rain and continue 20 spoil the en-
silage.
The elimination of the losses, which
this year will approximate $4,000,
lies therefore, in prevention. Some
outbreaks have occurred following
the feeding of moldy corn or hay, all
of which must be discarded and des-
troyed if the loss is to be entirely pre-
vented. Animals suffering from for
age poisoning do not as a rule re-
sDond readily to treatment. This was
shown in the outbreak of 1912, when
only "a cattle were saved from the
134 affected; LAT horses out of 612 af-
fected; 16 mules out of lis affected
On the appearance of the disease a
complete change of feed and quarters
is quite essential, and each animal
should be given laxative to rid the
intestinal canal of its contents and
prevent the development of other
cases.
For further Information on this sub
ject. address,
E. w. MUMMA, Veterinary Dept
Experiment Station, Lexington, KY.