Mystery of 200 Dead Cows in Wisconsin Solved

[Mugen]

Authorities investigating the deaths of 200 cows in Wisconsin have come up with an unlikely culprit: the sweet potato.

The cows were found dead in a Stockton pasture two weeks ago. Locals were left scratching their heads about what caused the mass die-off.

Investigators from the University of Wisconsin have determined that the animals were killed by a poison found in spoiled sweet potatoes that were part of the cattle's feed.

Read rest of article:
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/29/my...est=latestnews

FYI

 

[cat1994]

OMG thanks so much for putting this up, I have a lil cow and I would of never thought that would kill them

 

[SillyChicken]

gee ya suppose thats what happens to animals when you feed the poor things rotten food? Thats sad!

 

[Rammy]

You honestly believe that? Thats just like them saying all those birds died from flying into buildings. Explains how so many were found along a highway. Yeah, sure!! First birds, now cows. Next.....................


Rammy

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
Actually, yes. In Ben Green's book, "The Village Horse Doctor: West of the Pecos" he describes a similar situation with roots growing wild on a mountainside being grazed upon and killing livestock, I believe they were either cows or sheep and I am trying to recall, and I think the roots were wild potatoes. This book was published 60-70 years ago. So I'm sure there's a good possibility here. I have heard that one should never reheat baked potatoes for humans to eat because the double cooking can release a poison that can kill humans, so I sure do think there is something to this.

 

[Akane]

Potatos carry toxins. I don't believe sweet potatos do. They aren't even in the same family. Even less so if we are actually talking about yams. Of course anything spoiled can kill livestock. Some types of mold are highly toxic and can kill even when the feed looks just fine.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
What else are we supposed to believe? Do tell..

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
It's not always that obvious. Just as the s. enteritidis outbreak this summer was traced back to tainted meat and bone meal, we have seen cases of aflotoxins in corn and vomotoxins in wheat and barley in our area. Many times the mills screen for common toxins, but some inevitably gets through the system. You can't always tell a feedstock is bad just by looking at it.

 

[duckluck]

Quote:
It's not always that obvious. Just as the s. enteritidis outbreak this summer was traced back to tainted meat and bone meal, we have seen cases of aflotoxins in corn and vomotoxins in wheat and barley in our area. Many times the mills screen for common toxins, but some inevitably gets through the system. You can't always tell a feedstock is bad just by looking at it.

Yes, and there have been many feed recalls from feed companies due to toxins in corn.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Quote:
Actually, yes. In Ben Green's book, "The Village Horse Doctor: West of the Pecos" he describes a similar situation with roots growing wild on a mountainside being grazed upon and killing livestock, I believe they were either cows or sheep and I am trying to recall, and I think the roots were wild potatoes. This book was published 60-70 years ago. So I'm sure there's a good possibility here. I have heard that one should never reheat baked potatoes for humans to eat because the double cooking can release a poison that can kill humans, so I sure do think there is something to this.

I love twice-baked potatoes. I thought it was sprouted potatoes that were toxic.