The extended drought being experienced across most of Kansas has
reacquainted livestock producers and veterinarians with many
drought-related problems. Not only has the drought caused a
shortage of pasture and hay, but has threatened livestock with
other problems that do not occur every year. In many cases,
grasses and desirable forbs (weeds) either did not get enough
rain to initiate spring growth, or grew for a short period and
then either died out or did not regrow due to the heat and lack
of rainfall. In some pastures, drought-tolerant weedy species
are the predominant green plants available. In some cases, these
plants are toxic to livestock. Good pasture and cattle
management calls for knowing toxic plant species common in area
pastures. Livestock producers should recognize when pastures are
getting short enough that cattle may be forced to consider
consuming undesirable plants. They should supplement the cattle
with hay or other feedstuffs, move the cattle to pastures where
available forages do not pos