These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Beef Cattle Home

Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock

Last Updated: February 23, 2010

View as web page


Fact Sheet Written by:

C.D. Allison, Extension Range Management Specialist

R.D. Baker, Extension Agronomist

And Provided by:

New Mexico State University http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubsPrussic acid poisoning can occur when livestock are pastured on sorghum-type plants, including grain sorghum, forage sorghum, sudangrass, sorghumsudangrass crosses, Johnsongrass, sweet sorghums, and other sorghum-type plants. Prussic acid poisoning (also known as cyanogenesis) is caused by hydrocyanic acid, one of the most toxic and rapidly acting poisons. Although many plants contain hydrocyanic acid, sorghum-type plants contain amounts that can cause severe poisoning. Cattle, sheep, and goats are most susceptible, while horses and swine are generally not susceptible.

Click Below for Fact Sheet

Prussic Acid

Browse related Articles by tag: beef cattle, beef herd health


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.


View this page: