The potential toxicity of Australian weeds to goats

Preface
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This book is directed at Australian goat producers, veterinarians and educators so
as to increase their awareness of the many potential poisonous weeds that they may
encounter. The weeds are listed by both common and botanical names, their relative
palatability is graded and the poisonous compounds that they contain are named,
suggestions on control strategies are given and finally the health and production
problems that may result from the ingestion of each weed are outlined. For further
details about individual weeds, readers are referred to more detailed text book accounts.
Many of the weeds dealt with have been declared noxious* by state authorities
and as a consequence are required to be controlled by landholders. Grazing with goats
can be a useful part of an integrated weed control strategy but owners should familiarise
themselves with the potential toxicity risk associated with grazing some weeds. Toxic
weeds are those that can cause any upset to the health and productivity of an animal.
Toxic does not automatically imply lethal but some toxic plants can be lethal.
The book has been divided into two sections, the first covers the weeds known to
be highly or moderately toxic to goats and the second covers weeds associated with low
toxicity. A brief description of signs or symptoms produced by each toxic weed is
provided but no details of treatments. In cases of plant poisoning the treatments used are
generally symptomatic and veterinary assistance should be sought in this regard.
* Noxious weed - a weed which poses a threat to agriculture, the environment or the
community.