Saintfield schoolgirl warns of the dangers of ragwort to animals

19 August 2020

AS a farmer’s daughter, I have seen a considerable amount of ragwort, but I hadn’t thought much of it when I was younger other than how we had to pull it annually.

But now I realise, since I’m older, how much it impacts our land and livestock. I’ve noticed recently that ragwort is being ignored by many farmers, landowners and councils. It is just another weed that needs pulled out of the ground.

If it is not dealt with, it will spiral out of control and it will be harder to get rid of. The general public are not very well educated on ragwort. I asked my friends if they knew what ragwort was and three quarters of them had not a notion as to what it was.

Ragwort — also commonly known as benweed and ragweed — is a common weed found almost anywhere there is available space. It can be seen in cities sometimes, but mainly in fields and along the edge of roads.

It has eye-catching bright yellow flowers when in bloom and normally has more than one stalk coming from one root. It spreads millions of seeds each time it flowers, causing them to spread like a wildfire. If not removed, ragwort can engulf a field in its yellow flowers.

Back in 1977 ragwort was declared as a noxious weed in the Noxious Weed Order by DAERA. In this Order it states that ragwort, creeping thistles, spear thistles, curled leaf docs, broad leaf docs and wild oats as noxious plants.

Due to the Order DAERA has the right to insist that land owners and farmers control the weeds on their property under notice. Failure to do so could result in prosecution and/or a Basic Farm Payment penalty.

Also, any authorised officer of the Department may, at any reasonable time, enter land to check if any noxious plants are present. If any person refuses the officer access to the land in question, or obstructs or knowingly impedes him in the exercise of his functions, they are committing an offence and could therefore be charged. But for some reason this is not enough to get people to be responsible about the removal of noxious weeds.

I think that a part of the reason ragwort is spreading is that landowners just simply can’t be bothered to go out with a pair of gloves and pull the plants.

To get rid of ragwort there are few options. Firstly, spraying ragwort works short term. It kills the flowers and stem but not the root. Therefore it will grow back. Secondly, you can pull ragwort or dig it up. This kills and removes the weed and its root. This ensures no regrowth. Finally, you can cut it but that should be a last resort, as cutting stimulates growth. In turn these weeds will regrow more frequently than before and are more palatable and toxic to livestock.

We must kill these weeds as they are poisonous to livestock. Cattle, pigs, chickens and horses are particularly susceptible to ragwort poisoning, but sheep, deer and goats are slightly more tolerant. Ragwort is also highly toxic if ingested by a dog and tiny doses can be fatal.

Ragwort attacks the liver in livestock and can lead to irreparable damage. The poisonous substances in ragwort are alkaloids which cause cirrhosis of the liver. Early symptoms in cattle include poor appetite, constipation and, later, jaundice. A fatal dose of ragwort for an adult cow or horse is around 3kg of fresh plant.

Please do your bit and pull some ragwort in your area. Wear gloves to protect your hands. Not only will your neighbourhood look tidier but any livestock will greatly benefit by even half an hour’s work.

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