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Spotted hemlock is extremely poisonous, affecting <br />cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, wildlife, birds, <br />and people. All parts of the plant are poisonous, <br />and the effects are usually fatal. The leaves are es- <br />pecially poisonous in the spring, up to the time the <br />plant flowers. Sheep may be poisoned eating as <br />little as 4-8 ounces of green leaves. Cattle that eat <br />10-16 ounces may be affected. Signs of poisoning <br />usually appear within an hour after the animal eats <br />the plant. Death results from respiratory paralysis <br />in 2-3 hours. Birth defects of sub-lethal amounts <br />of spotted hemlock occur in all livestock and may <br />include crooked legs, cleft palate, and kinked tails. <br />Live and fresh Spotted hemlock is generally unpal- <br />atable to livestock. Livestock can graze areas with <br />Spotted hemlock; however, dried plants in hay or <br />silage can be eaten and poisoning occurs. That is <br />why it is espe- <br />cially important <br />for producers to <br />watch for water <br />hemlock when <br />baling ditches <br />and low-lying <br />hay lands. <br /> <br />Control options: Small <br />infestations can be pulled <br />by hand being careful to <br />remove the taproot and <br />secondary roots. When <br />handling wear protective <br />clothing and gloves as all <br />parts of the plant are poi- <br />sonous. Do not burn the <br />plants as toxins can be re- <br />leased in the air. Dispose <br />by burying. Repeated <br />mowing or cultivation can <br />be a means of control by <br />preventing seed formation. <br />Herbicides can be used, <br />applying in the seedling <br />or rosette plant stages. <br />Spraying flowering or <br />seed-bearing plants is not <br />very effective as plants <br />usually die after producing <br />seeds. Herbicides such as <br />glyphosate, 2,4-D, Meth- <br />od, Streamline, TerraVue, <br />and DuraCor have been <br />effective. <br />For questions regarding identification or control <br />options, contact: <br />Stan Wolf, Cass County Weed Control <br /> wolfs@casscountynd.gov <br /> 701-298-2388 <br /> <br />Kyle Aasand, NDSU Extension Agent/Cass County <br /> kyle.aasand@ndsu.edu <br /> 701-241-5700 <br />January 2021 <br />County commissions, North Dakota State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.This publication will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities upon request.