• 30 Aug, 2025

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Poisonous plant in the pasture: This ragwort endangers cattle and horses.

When there is an infestation of ragwort in the pasture, you should act quickly. Not only common ragwort poses a danger to animals.

When dealing with infestations of ragwort in pastures, it is important to act quickly. It is not just common ragwort that poses a danger to animals.

This year, various types of ragwort are causing concern for farmers. Asteraceae plants such as common, marsh, and ragwort are widespread. Nowadays, the yellow flowering plant can be found along almost every roadside. Common ragwort typically starts blooming around mid-June, while marsh ragwort (Senecio vernalis) often displays its yellow flowers in spring. They are mainly found on roadsides and pasture lands. Early detection of the plant is crucial.

Common ragwort in pastures: a threat to cattle and horses

Though common ragwort is considered less toxic than common ragwort, it still poses a serious threat to cattle and horses. The alkaloids it contains cannot be broken down by these animals. Instead, the toxins accumulate in the body, leading to severe liver damage - potentially fatal. Unlike in pastures, animals in silage have no way to sort out toxic plants, so the poisonous substances are ingested directly.

Difficult to distinguish: What does common ragwort look like?

The main flowering period for common ragwort is between April and May. Under favorable conditions, the flowering can even last until September. Common ragwort, on the other hand, usually blooms between June and July and can grow up to 1.20 meters tall. Common ragwort reaches a height of about 45 to 50 centimeters. The stem can be noticeably white-haired depending on the stage of development. Under normal weather conditions, the plants typically develop their seed heads by the end of May.

Beware of ragwort alert: How to prevent infestations

Especially pastures near affected areas should be regularly checked. These include mainly roadsides, freshly disturbed soils, fallow areas, or adjacent areas with ragwort growth. To prevent infestations, careful grassland management with harrowing, rolling, and regular cutting or grazing is recommended. Through a post-mowing, the grass sward can be compacted and the stocking improved. Sparse pasture stands with damage to the grass sward should be repaired in time through overseeding.

Avoiding spread: Immediate measures to take

It is crucial to keep an eye on the development of the flower heads to prevent seed spread to adjacent areas. In cases of minor infestations by common ragwort, targeted immediate measures can help. This includes removing individual plants. They should be ideally removed completely with the root. If you mow the stand, this should be done shortly before flowering or seed formation. The cut material should then be promptly removed to prevent premature seed ripening. Proper disposal can be done either through an incineration plant or a composting facility with thermal treatment.