Vermont's Independent Voice
Browse News
Browse Arts + Life
Browse Food + Drink
Browse Cannabis
Browse Music
Browse Movies
Browse Events
Browse Classifieds
Browse Personals
Fungus turns up in local livestock, feed
ALBURGH - In humans, it causes paranoia, hallucinations, tics, twitches and spasms. The fungus known as ergot, which has been linked to bad behavior from the French Revolution to the Salem witch trials, has turned up in livestock feed across northern Vermont.
The fungus was first discovered in Alburgh earlier this month after University of Vermont Extension Service Agronomist Heather Darby noticed foot swelling on one of her cows. "At first we thought she sprained her ankle and then we saw her skin was sloughing off, and that's when we knew it was something different," Darby says. After inspecting the rest of her herd, Darby noticed about a third of the cows showed telltale signs of ergot poisoning. A vet confirmed her suspicions.
Cases of ergot poisoning have also been reported in Morrisville, Highgate and other parts of the Northeast Kingdom, Darby said. While rarely fatal, the condition can make livestock ill after repeated exposure. In rare cases, poisoned livestock lose limbs. "This year the conditions were just right. It's amazing how much is out there," Darby says.
This year's wet spring allowed ergot to grow on grain supplies. The good news, Darby says, is that animals quickly recover once they stop eating the tainted feed. "The big thing is for farmers to be aware of the symptoms," says Tim Schmalz, a plant pathologist at the state
More By This Author
Speaking of...
-
Video: Kitty Korner Café in Barre Finds Furever Homes for Felines
Mar 25, 2021 -
Video: Pie Society Serves Up Comfort in the Pandemic
Feb 25, 2021 -
In Memoriam: Hobbes, Canine Host of the "Bruce & Hobbes" Radio Show
Jul 28, 2020 -
King's Corner Deli Owner Plans Pop-Up Breakfast Event
May 7, 2020 -
School Distribution Sites Provide Food, Toys for Burlington Kids
May 6, 2020 - More »
Comments
Comments are closed.
Since 2014, Seven Days has allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. While we’ve appreciated the suggestions and insights, the time has come to shut them down — at least temporarily.
While we champion free speech, facts are a matter of life and death during the coronavirus pandemic, and right now Seven Days is prioritizing the production of responsible journalism over moderating online debates between readers.
To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor. Or send us a tip. We’ll check it out and report the results.
Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Thanks for reading.
- Advertising •
- Contact Us •
- Submissions •
- Sponsorships •
- Help •
- Privacy •
- Company News
Website powered by Foundation