A fungus that can
kill horses and cattle is rampant in Missouri’s pastureland this summer — and
has already felled at least four animals.
The fungus, called ergot, appears in grains and grasses when weather
conditions are favorable, as they have been this year. The fungus is so
widespread that state authorities are warning animal owners to be especially
vigilant and to move animals to non-infected fields.
“It’s very severe
this year, and I want producers to be on the lookout for it,” said Craig
Roberts, a professor of plant science with the University of Missouri Extension
and the state’s forage specialist. “I’ve seen it in every field and in every
grass species.”……The toxins in ergot are chemically related to LSD and have
been linked to deadly epidemics in the Middle Ages, when it was known as St.
Anthony’s Fire. Some historians believe that the symptoms of ergotism in people
— scratching, convulsions and hallucinations — were behind the “bewitchment”
that triggered the Salem Witch Trials. The poisoning in humans is usually
linked to infected rye, which was grown in abundance in that region….To ReadMore…..
My Take – I inserted this link because I
wanted to highlight the Salem Witch Trial issue presented here. I don’t know if any of that was true, but if
so it demonstrates what ignorance and ideology can bring forth. Today we suffer from persecution by greenie
ignorance and ideology. I’m just
surprised some idiotic green group isn’t attempting to claim this is caused by
pesticides, industrialization, capitalism….or worst of all…..conservatives.
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