UK cows killed by sweet potato poisoning
Six cows in the UK have been killed after eating sweet potatoes in their ration. The Food Standards Agency said it was the first known case of sweet potato poisoning in animals reported in Britain.
The deaths on an unnamed farm in East Anglia happened
over four days among a group of 15 Limousin cross beef cattle fed 7kg (15lb) of
sweet potatoes each a day for more than a week in September.
over four days among a group of 15 Limousin cross beef cattle fed 7kg (15lb) of
sweet potatoes each a day for more than a week in September.
Potatoes
that are not stored in a cool, dark and dry place can produce dangerous toxins,
leading to potato poisoning when the product is eaten. Government vets have
urged farmers to limit sweet potato use despite its attractiveness as a cheap
high-energy food for cattle.
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