What is the Problem?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1 percent of cattle and over 3 percent of sheep in the western U.S. are killed each year by eating poisonous plants. But the problem is even more serious. In addition to deaths, plant poisonings also cause:
- temporary and chronic pain and illness
- abortions
- decreased productivity
- birth defects
And besides cattle and sheep, horses, llamas, goats, alpacas and swine are also affected. Economic losses each year amount to hundreds of millions of dollars. Experts agree that many occasions of plant poisoning are avoidable. Plant poisoning can be prevented, and effective response when it occurs may reduce suffering and harm and prevent death.
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