It can be poisonous to stock. In fact I found one plant in our pasture last week. It has taken over many acres in the northern part of our region but so far has not caused too many problems around us. We usually pull, bag and burn the odd one if found. We assume the seeds come in with the cattle hay.
But recently a new weed has been found to our north.
Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) is native to the Caribbean, southern USA and central America. It was introduced to central Queensland in the 1950s in contaminated pasture seed from Texas USA and has found its way south.
The weed has been discovered on a chicken farm near Kiama and it's the first time the weed has been found in south-eastern NSW.
Six infestations are linked to contaminated organic whole grain chicken feed and mash and one is linked to contaminated conventional chicken feed.
The contaminated feed infestations were traced to Queensland manufacturers who have worked with NSW DPI to eliminate parthenium seed from feed products.
Parthenium can cause respiratory problems and severe dermatitis in humans.
Parthenium can cause respiratory problems and severe dermatitis in humans.
Livestock do not usually eat parthenium weed but if no other feed is available, they may eat large amounts. This can cause kidney damage in ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). Young cattle are most susceptible to dying from parthenium poisoning.
If livestock (especially sheep) eat parthenium weed within one month of slaughter it can taint the flavour of meat. It can also taint milk.
Obviously this is a serious problem as the State’s Department of Primary Industry web site on this plant says: Please do not attempt to treat or dispose of this weed yourself. Report this plant if you see it anywhere in NSW by calling the helpline listed at the top of this page immediately.
NSW DPI will lead an initial response for the treatment and disposal of the plant to stop it from spreading.
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