The Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Laboratory Service has warned farmers of a heightened risk of lead poisoning in late spring when animals are turned out to pasture.
Lead is highly toxic to animals, mainly affecting cattle and sheep, with calves being particularly at risk due to their increased susceptibility and curious nature.
In 2023, 18 cattle died from lead poisoning with most of these cases occurring in the late spring or early summer.
Losses due to lead poisoning, not only of animals but also financially, can be substantial for the farmer.
A spokesperson for the Department said farmers should carefully check their fields and hedgerows for sources of lead before turning cattle out to pasture and before silage making.
“Hedgerows bounding public roads should be checked carefully for fly-tipping of risk materials. Where identified, sources of lead should be removed and disposed of safely.”
Health risk
If a farmer suspects lead poisoning in their animal, they are advised to contact their local vet.
Vets can give advice regarding the diagnosis and can arrange to have clinical samples tested or a postmortem conducted on the animals.
From a public health perspective lead exposure in milking cattle or beef cattle being readied for slaughter has potential risks for the food chain.
To protect the human food chain, cases of lead poisoning are investigated and certain restrictions may be applied.
Fragments of a battery found in the stomach of an animal that died from lead poisoning. / Department of Agriculture
Common sources
Some common sources of lead include: lead batteries, including electric fencing batteries; discarded lead flashing and lead piping; bonfire ash; and old lead paint tins and flaking lead paint.
Toxicity can occur within 24 hours of exposure and signs range from sudden death to blindness, ataxia, head pressing and convulsions.
“Prevention is a matter of not allowing cattle access to sources of lead,” added the spokesperson.
“Before cattle are turned out to grass in the spring and at regular intervals during the grazing season, search the fields for discarded batteries, lead shot, old painted items or other possible sources of lead.
“Do not use timber painted with old toxic lead paints, like an old painted door to block a gap or doorway or leave them in areas that are accessible to cattle, especially calves, which have a tendency to lick such items.”
Read more
Beef Management: lice, weanling performance and cold weather management
Tips for grazing management of forage crops
Discarded batteries among reasons for 18 cattle deaths from lead poisoning
The Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Laboratory Service has warned farmers of a heightened risk of lead poisoning in late spring when animals are turned out to pasture.
Lead is highly toxic to animals, mainly affecting cattle and sheep, with calves being particularly at risk due to their increased susceptibility and curious nature.
In 2023, 18 cattle died from lead poisoning with most of these cases occurring in the late spring or early summer.
Losses due to lead poisoning, not only of animals but also financially, can be substantial for the farmer.
A spokesperson for the Department said farmers should carefully check their fields and hedgerows for sources of lead before turning cattle out to pasture and before silage making.
“Hedgerows bounding public roads should be checked carefully for fly-tipping of risk materials. Where identified, sources of lead should be removed and disposed of safely.”
Health risk
If a farmer suspects lead poisoning in their animal, they are advised to contact their local vet.
Vets can give advice regarding the diagnosis and can arrange to have clinical samples tested or a postmortem conducted on the animals.
From a public health perspective lead exposure in milking cattle or beef cattle being readied for slaughter has potential risks for the food chain.
To protect the human food chain, cases of lead poisoning are investigated and certain restrictions may be applied.
Fragments of a battery found in the stomach of an animal that died from lead poisoning. / Department of Agriculture
Common sources
Some common sources of lead include: lead batteries, including electric fencing batteries; discarded lead flashing and lead piping; bonfire ash; and old lead paint tins and flaking lead paint.
Toxicity can occur within 24 hours of exposure and signs range from sudden death to blindness, ataxia, head pressing and convulsions.
“Prevention is a matter of not allowing cattle access to sources of lead,” added the spokesperson.
“Before cattle are turned out to grass in the spring and at regular intervals during the grazing season, search the fields for discarded batteries, lead shot, old painted items or other possible sources of lead.
“Do not use timber painted with old toxic lead paints, like an old painted door to block a gap or doorway or leave them in areas that are accessible to cattle, especially calves, which have a tendency to lick such items.”
Read more
Beef Management: lice, weanling performance and cold weather management
Tips for grazing management of forage crops
Discarded batteries among reasons for 18 cattle deaths from lead poisoning
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