BCRC discusses preventing foreign material hazards in beef cattle operations

Foreign material and toxin consumption by beef cattle can lead to significant health problems, reduced performance and economic losses. 

Cattle producers take great pride and care in how they manage their farms and ranches, from providing proper nutrition to stewarding their land and ensuring excellent animal care. 

Yet, even with the best intentions, foreign materials and toxins can quietly find their way into feed, water or pastures. 

Understanding where they come from and how to prevent exposure is a key part of protecting the herd.

Foreign materials and toxins often slip in through everyday farm activities such as repairing fences, running equipment, feeding hay or dealing with weather-stressed crops. 

A small piece of wire, leftover net wrap or contaminated feed sources might not seem like much, but if consumed by cattle, they can trigger health issues, lost performance or even death.

Understanding hardware disease

When cattle consume sharp metal objects like nails or pieces of wire, the items can settle in the reticulum and irritate or puncture the stomach lining. 

In the worst cases, these foreign objects can migrate and damage the heart, causing severe illness or death. This condition is known as hardware disease – or bovine traumatic reticuloperitonitis – and it can be both dangerous and costly.

Signs of hardware disease include depression or dullness, general discomfort like teeth grinding or grunting, an arched back, going off of feed, brisket swelling or loss of body condition.

Common sources of metal pieces include cables on fences or feed bunks, fragments from feed processing equipment and scrap materials left on the ground. 

Prevention goes a long way, and there are several preventative practices which can be implemented, including using magnets or scalpers to remove possible debris from feed, covering metal cables with plastic sleeves, avoiding materials which deteriorate over time, practicing regular equipment and facility maintenance and keeping yards and feeding areas clean.

Twine and net wrap

Twine and net wrap are among the most common foreign materials consumed by cattle and are some of the easiest problems to avoid. 

These materials are indigestible and can build up in the rumen leading to blockages and digestive tract injury.

Signs of twine or net wrap consumption include weight loss, abdominal pain, poor coat condition, lethargy, diarrhea, bloating and/or straining to defecate.

Prevention is key. Once consumed, there is no easy fix. 

Taking a few extra minutes to remove and properly dispose of twine and net wrap before feeding, perform regular maintenance of equipment and facilities and inspect feeding areas for foreign materials can save a lot of trouble down the road.

Toxins put cattle at risk

Toxins can be difficult to spot, but their impact can be serious. Exposure can lead to reduced feed intake and poor performance or, in some cases, sudden illness or death.

Some of the most common toxins beef cattle may be exposed to include mycotoxins from contaminated or moldy feed; botulism from decaying carcasses, spoiled silage or poorly preserved hay; nitrates from weather-stressed plants or excess nitrogen fertilization and prussic acid from plants such as sorghum, Sudangrass, Johnson grass, chokecherry and treated canola seed. Risk increases during drought or frost stress. 

Other common toxins include those in plants such as hemlock, poison hemlock, death camus, lupine, red maple, oak, locoweed, monkshood, tansy, ragwort, common tansy, henbane, stinkweed and tall larkspur, as well as lead from improperly disposed batteries, contaminated water sources, lead pipes or lead based paints.

Preventing exposure to toxins

Preventing toxin exposure involves awareness, monitoring and good management practices.

Individuals should test feed and water sources suspected of contamination or considered high risk such as grain screenings and distillers’ grains.

Watch the weather. Moisture levels during growth and harvest affect mycotoxin risk. For example, cool, moist conditions during flowering favor ergot growth, while warm, moist conditions favor fusarium development.

Properly store feed. Keep feed dry and well ventilated to prevent mold growth and spoilage.

Vaccination programs can also help protect against certain toxins, such as botulism or clostridial diseases.

Work with a nutritionist and veterinarian to design balanced diets and monitor toxin exposure. If exposure is suspected, contact a local veterinarian to confirm and document the toxin exposure.

Rotate pastures, avoid overgrazing and inspect fields regularly, especially after frost or drought, to minimize exposure to toxic plants and moldy feed. Routinely check pastures for lead sources such as discarded batteries.

Stay informed through Extension programs, in-dustry groups, agronomists and other farm advisors. Consider implementing a preventive control plan to identify hazards and reduce risks.

A few proactive steps can prevent cattle from accessing foreign materials and toxins, which is essential for maintaining herd health, protecting performance and avoiding preventable losses. 

Taking the time to walk pastures and feeding areas and regularly inspecting cattle, facilities, feed and water sources can help catch problems early.

BCRC is funded by a portion of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off and strives for excellence in the production of Canadian beef and forage through research, innovation and Extension. For more information, visit beefresearch.ca.