Much of the lovely luscious green we see out in the paddocks this year is from abundant growth of marshmallow, or Malva parviflora.
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This weed seems to boom in the first rains following a prolonged dry period. It thrives in high nutrient areas, so can grow thickly in sheep camp sites, in and around sheep yards, and on the edge of cropped paddocks.
It appears quite palatable and is readily consumed by livestock.
Despite its abundance, we have seen very few cases of toxicity attributed to marshmallow this season.
It can contain high levels of nitrate and be a potential risk for sudden death from nitrite poisoning, particularly when hungry animals are given access to areas thick with marshmallow.
The other toxicity syndrome that can be seen with marshmallow is muscle weakness, and sheep, particularly young lambs seem more susceptible to this.
Over the past month Central West Local Land Services District Vets have seen a couple of cases of staggers in unweaned lambs related to marshmallow.
In one case, the lucerne paddock was eaten down and lambs were nibbling on the marshmallow around the sheep camp areas.
Symptoms are usually noticed when sheep are being mustered - affected lambs are reluctant to move and may stagger and go down. If pushed to rise they are stiff, stand with back arched, and tremble or quiver quite significantly.
If forced to move again they may die, but if removed from the marshmallow and left alone to rest they should recover.
The weakness is related to severe muscle damage, which is reflected in significant elevations of muscle enzymes in blood collected from affected animals.
It has been suggested that the toxic agent in marshmallow can be passed on to lambs through milk.
For questions relating to this, or other livestock health enquiries, please contact us at the Central West Local Land Services Forbes Office on 6850 1600.