Harmful components from overwintered crops can easily affect human health.
(Photo/Pininterest)
Alberta Agriculture & Forestry (AF) says producers should take necessary precautions to prevent health issues.
“If there are mice in the field, swaths can be contaminated by their manure and urine,” Barry Yaremcio, a Beef and Forage specialist with AF, said in a news release. “Hanta virus is a concern to humans, but not to pets or livestock.”
Yaremcio adds that inhaling dust contaminated with rodent droppings, urine or saliva or infecting open wounds with the dust can create serious human health problems.
“These problems are more likely to arise when working with threshed grain in bins,” he continued. “But they can also occur with greenfeed bales.”
Moulds, dusts and spores found on the grain and forage components can be released into the air when bales are moved or handled. Respiratory problems and eye irritations are also a concern as a result.
Check out AF’s new Risks for Using Overwintered Crops as Livestock Feed fact sheet for more information.
– Posted by BET
