Cattle are naturally inquisitive and love to explore unusual objects in their environment by sniffing, licking and chewing. Young animals are the worst offenders, but curiosity at any age can be exacerbated by boredom or hunger. With young cattle flooding the markets, and entering the local district in reasonable numbers, now could be considered a higher risk time for lead poisoning events in cattle.

Substances containing lead are often described as sweet and will be readily consumed by cattle. Batteries are the most common source of lead in cases of poisoning, but others have included old building materials, such as flashing, and lead-based paint on farm buildings or other structures, and even ash from fires left after burning these products. Sump oil, oil filters and grease are also potential lead sources found frequently on farm.

Even a small amount of lead can kill an animal and there may be few if any warning signs before sudden death. Poisoned cattle that do not die may show signs of lead affecting their brain, such as depression and blindness.

In animals that consume only a low level of lead there may be no clinical signs at all. However, because ingested lead is stored in meat and offal, these animals become a potential risk to human health if they enter our food chain. Lead exposure in humans can impair development and permanently damage the brain, particularly in young children. Our export markets are also very sensitive to lead residues in our meat and by-products. For these reasons we have a state program to manage cases of lead-affected food producing animals.

Please be on the lookout for potential sources of lead on your farm. High risk situations include introducing stock to newly purchased properties, or when stock are kept in confined areas. Don't run livestock around rubbish sites, sheds and old houses, or prevent access by fencing them off.

For questions relating to this, or other livestock health enquiries, please contact us at the Central West Local Land Services Forbes Office on 6850 1600.