‘Staggers’ is generic term to describe ruminants presenting with paralysis, trembling, muscle spasms or wild behaviour.
Reports of staggers are common during autumn, and although presenting with similar symptoms, there are a few different types of staggers, the causes and control of which are quite different.
Furthermore, although staggers are generally more common in sheep, cattle are also affected if the right conditions are present.
Dr Meggison, Chief Nutritionist at AusFarm Nutrition Products discussed the predisposing conditions, common causes and control measures of each disease.
Phalaris Staggers
The Problem:
Particularly prevalent this year in southeastern NSW, Phalaris staggers is caused by an alkaloid toxin that is produced by most subspecies of Phalaris during the early vegetative phase.
According to Dr Meggison, “Following a dry summer, the first few months post autumn break is the riskiest period for Phalaris staggers.”
“During this period of rapid growth, stressed immature plants produce a toxin that when combined with a cobalt deficiency in livestock, cause staggers.”
The Solution:
Management involves effective oral supplementation with an available form of cobalt at a specific high rate to boost cobalt levels in the diet, and although there are many ways to supplement cobalt, the use of foliar sprays or effective high cobalt mineral loose-licks like StockMins-Crop Grazer Plus Cobalt or for lambing ewes, StockMins-EweLamLac Plus Cobalt, both have proven extremely very effective over the last few seasons.
Perennial Ryegrass Staggers
The Problem:
Perennial Ryegrass Staggers (PRGS) is generally seen in late summer and autumn when livestock graze dry ryegrass left over from spring. Toxicosis occurs as endophyte (fungus), established in old ryegrass pastures, release a toxin that interferes with the nervous system of livestock.
“Like Phalaris staggers, the lethal toxin is an alkaloid, however, in this case it’s derived from an endophyte fungus, which, under the right conditions thrives within the plant”, he said.
Animals present with temporary incoordination and nervous twitches (staggers), and under stressful conditions (like mustering) livestock can collapse with stiff limbs. If not controlled effectively permanent neurological damage can occur.
The Solution:
StockMins-Detox provides livestock with an effective level of essential minerals, vitamins, trace elements and toxin deactivators and binders that are designed to protect livestock against a variety of harmful toxins including those responsible for PRGS, stimulate and support enhanced liver function and gut integrity and assist with immunity and tissue recovery and repair following toxic insult.
Particularly, one of the toxin deactivators in StockMins-Detox has data suggesting demonstrated potential to alleviate the challenge of PRGS and ergot alkaloids within ruminants.
According to Dr Meggison, it is the combination of the DEACTIVATION and DEFEND properties of StockMins-Detox that support its efficacy.
“StockMins-Detox, is not only designed to mop up toxins with the inclusion of specific binders, deactivators and clays during toxic insult, but the inclusion of effective levels vitamins and trace elements boosts immunity, generates tissue recovery and supports elevated liver function, which all help to control toxic insult.”
“Furthermore, with any case of staggers, feeding a palatable hay can play a role in diluting the toxins and reducing the risk of toxicosis”, he said.
For more information about Phalaris or Ryegrass staggers contact AusFarm Nutrition Products 0412 048 055.
