A Dry Fall and a Heavy Acorn Crop: Keep an Eye out for Acorn Toxicity

By Dr. Gaby Maier, UCD Beef Cattle extension veterinarian; Dr. Rosie Busch, UCD Sheep and Goat Extension Veterinarian; and Dan Macon, UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor (Placer- Nevada-Sutter-Yuba)

Recent observations at the UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center – and elsewhere in the Sierra foothills and Sacramento Valley – suggests that 2020 was a bumper year for acorns! Blue oaks in particular seem to be producing an especially heavy crop. And as you may have noticed, we have not yet received a lot of rain on our oak woodlands. With many ranchers moving livestock onto annual rangelands for the winter, we should be aware of the signs of oak intoxication in livestock, especially if feed stays in short supply…. Continue reading

Thank you to Dr. Gaby Maier, UCD Beef Cattle extension veterinarian; Dr. Rosie Busch, UCD Sheep and Goat Extension Veterinarian; and Dan Macon, UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor (Placer-Nevada-Sutter-Yuba, for writing this to keep California’s cattle producers informed.

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