Ragwort found in haylage help.

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cumbriamax

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Basically I was feeding my horses this morning and when doing the haylage I found a weed (which am sure is ragwort), also am sure this is the first time this has happened as I check my hay/feed meticulously after my first pony died of ragwort poisoning not long after we had got her (vet thought she'd probably eaten it before we got her). I have been getting haylage of same supplier for years and has always beeen best quality, I'm gutted cos I get my haylage from reputable supplier (not nearest and by no means cheapest).

people have told me that it was probably one weed in a whole field and that it would be impossible to ensure that there will never be anything in hay (which I understand that producers can't go round every field with fine tooth comb)

what do you guys think?:confused::eek:
 
You are not being stupid at all, it is potentially quite serious! I would take the offending weed to your supplier (so he can hopefully put your mind at rest about what it is), ask for the whole bale to be changed if you are worried about that bale. Our haylage supplier knows exactly what part of what field every bale has come from this year, if yours has something similar in place it could be important for him to know if one area has a problem. I would definitely mention it (and I am not one to go complaining unless really necessary). I would speak to your supplier though before you tell other people about it just in case it isn't ragwort.
 
hch4971 said:
You are not being stupid at all, it is potentially quite serious! I would take the offending weed to your supplier (so he can hopefully put your mind at rest about what it is), ask for the whole bale to be changed if you are worried about that bale. Our haylage supplier knows exactly what part of what field every bale has come from this year, if yours has something similar in place it could be important for him to know if one area has a problem. I would definitely mention it (and I am not one to go complaining unless really necessary). I would speak to your supplier though before you tell other people about it just in case it isn't ragwort.
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thanks I have compared it to some ragwort that a freind dug out of the hedgerow (its still bagged and waiting to be burnt) we concluded it is ragwort.

thank you for your advice
 
I wouldn't panic just yet, but well done for spotting it.

Tell supplier, keep an eye on rest of batch.
 
I would tend to photograph the offending ragwort so that you have a record of it and can check that it is ragwort. Your supplier will no doubt replace the bale and also thank you for alerting him to the fact that one of his suppliers has ragwort growing in his hay.
Supplying hay for horses which has ragwort in it will not enhance his reputation to his customers and potential customers if word get's around. It is also an offence in consumer law as it is not fit for purpase.
 
Really important that you bring this to the attention of your supplier, he will be interested to know as once this stuff gets established it can wipe out your hay/haylage crop and should someone lose a horse it will or should wipe out his business.

Lots of suppliers take a crop off land they don't own so ensuring hay fields are clear of ragwort is in everyones interest.

Since the rules on notifiable weeds were relaxed, ragwort really has become a problem, the worst offenders being councils and highways.
 
Sorry but you aren't getting good advice here. Unlike hay, ragwort in haylage is really serious as it is wrapped the toxins can diffuse through the whole bale. It also becomes sweet so they eat it - double whammy. Believe me - I take all my ragwort out of my fields and there is never just one weed. Send it back immediately.
 
Send the offending plant, very carefully wrapped and labelled, to Derek Knottenbelt. He will confirm or otherwise the identity and AFAIK there is no charge ( I have been offered the service). I didn't use it but have donated to his research for a blood test to diagnose ragwort damage.
 
They'll eat it in hay / haylage, so it is far more dangerous. Tell your supplier. They should be as concerned as you are! Also, discard the whole bale (if it's haylage), and make sure your supplier replaces the discarded bale/s free of charge for you.

Then, if you continue using this supplier you need to keep a really sharp eye out and shake out all the haylage you give him from now on.
 
cumbriamax said:
does anyone have contact details for Dr Derek Knottenbelt please- also does anyone know if there is any kind of test to determine if horses have eaten this stuff.
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He's a professor at Liverpool University - if you google his name you should get contact details. I did have an address as I donated to his ragwort research charity but I don't think I kept it.
I suspect there will be a lot of it around due to the poor harvest last year and hay being sourced from unusual places (see today's H&H headlines).
 
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