With Tori Morgan, NFU Cymru National Policy Adviser

IN recent weeks, NFU Cymru has received a number of reports from members about their livestock being impacted by acorn poisoning. The effects of eating acorns can be fatal to some livestock and we are reminding members to be alert to this deadly acorn poisoning in their stock during the autumn/winter months, with cattle and sheep most commonly affected. Pigs are more tolerant to acorns and therefore poisoning is rare.

Acorn numbers are particularly high this year and NFU Cymru is urging farmers to be especially vigilant and to move animals away from areas with large numbers of fallen acorns, leaves and twigs, or fence off the area to restrict access. This will prevent the stock eating the acorns and potentially becoming unwell.

Acorns, while they may seem harmless, contain gallotannin which gets broken down to gallic acid and tannic acid. These acids can cause ulcers in the digestive tract to form, as well as causing kidney failure which in turn stop the kidneys working properly, which can result in death. Acorns can also cause birth defects in pregnant animals.

The symptoms of acorn poisoning can start to show within hours or after several days of consuming the acorn. They begin gradually with a lack of appetite and constipation, which is then followed by small quantities of dark coloured faeces, which may contain blood.

The animal may also experience abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, a weakening pulse, mucous membranes becoming pale, and convulsions may be seen before they sadly die.

If you suspect your stock have eaten acorns, or that they may already have acorn poisoning, you should remove the animals from the source, give them plenty of water and contact your vet immediately.

Sadly, we have heard from a number of members whose stock have died after eating acorns and following such a warm and dry spring, the pollination of oak flowers has been very effective which is why we have such an abundance of acorns this year.