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Prussic Acid

Last Updated: May 14, 2012

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Prussic Acid - (hydrocyanic acid), A toxin created by enzymatic activity under conditions when the plants are stressed by drought or freezing.

Plant species that cause prussic acid:

  • sudangrass
  • forage sorghum
  • sorghum-sudangrass hybrids

Symptoms:

  • excitability
  • rapid pulse
  • muscular tremors followed by staggering and collapse

Prevention:

  • heavy stocking rates
  • rotational grazing

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