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In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, UF/IFAS Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery. Left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain: damaged crops, eroded beaches, downed trees and power lines, property marred or made unlivable and more. In the [&#8230;]

In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, UF/IFAS Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery.
Left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain: damaged crops, eroded beaches, downed trees and power lines, property marred or made unlivable and more.
<figure id="attachment_39849" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39849" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="wp-image-39849 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2023/09/Hendry-County-citrus-damage_Ian-300x225.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39849" class="wp-caption-text">A citrus grove in Hendry County damaged by Hurricane Ian. Courtesy, UF/IFAS.</figcaption></figure>
In the days and weeks immediately after the hurricane hit, UF/IFAS Extension agents helped bring supplies and science-based recovery information to farmers, nurseries, livestock producers and more.
They also checked on the well-being of many residents and proprietors.
“We have supported our partners and helped facilitate conversations between groups of stakeholders and those who can help them,” said <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leeco/author/douterbridge/">David Outerbridge, director of UF/IFAS Extension Lee County</a>. “We play a role as an ‘information first responder’ for our communities, and connect partners with UF/IFAS resources to help provide research information and long-term community planning.”
Those partners include Lee County parks, Sanibel Island, Pine Island growers, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and the <a href="https://www.leeschools.net/student_support/healthy_living#:~:text=We%20promote%20healthy%20minds%20and,career%20readiness%20and%20community%20outreach.">Lee County Schools Healthy Living Collaboration</a>.
A closer look at UF/IFAS Extension Lee County help
Here are just some additional actions taken by agents and staff: 
• Evaluated impacts of flooding on plants and soil. 
• Provided and transported resources, particularly feed and supplies to livestock producers. 
• Helped connect stakeholders with <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/disaster-preparedness-recovery/hurricane-ian/">Florida Sea Grant</a>, commodity groups, FEMA and other federal agencies to communicate losses and direct recovery resources. 
• Worked with the regional planning council and the shrimp industry to plan for future <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/leeco/2022/11/13/where-the-sea-meets-the-land-working-waterfront-preservation-post-hurricane/">resilient working waterfronts</a>. 
• Provided mental first aid for 4-H youth. 
• Wrote articles and publications to communicate the impacts, telling the stories of those affected by Ian.
Significant work remains to get Lee County back to normal, Outerbridge said. Residents can help support area recovery by buying local products and getting to know your agricultural producers.
Charlotte County
Just up the coast, <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/author/ralphmitchell/">Ralph Mitchell, director of UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County</a>, said residents and business owners coped with plenty of tree damage. But he and his agents helped them with information about triage and damage assessment.
<figure id="attachment_39847" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39847" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-39847 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2023/09/Ian-aftermath1_MGV-Demo-Garden_damaged_Courtesy-Paul-Schumaker_091923-300x200.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39847" class="wp-caption-text">A demonstration garden in Charlotte County was damaged by Hurricane Ian. Courtesy Paul Schumaker.</figcaption></figure>
Months later, on National Arbor Day in April, about 250 residents received Florida elm trees from UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County.
In addition to trees, many landscapes were torn up in Charlotte County.
“Moving forward, our ‘blank-slate landscapes’ allowed us to reemphasize and reintroduce Florida-Friendly Landscaping&#x2122; principles to both new and established gardeners,” Mitchell said. “Homeowner associations were particularly receptive audiences.”
Livestock
“The livestock have recovered well,” said <a href="https://sfbfp.ifas.ufl.edu/members/LindseyWiggins.shtml">Lindsey Wiggins, a UF/IFAS Extension agent for Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties</a>.
After the storm, images showed many livestock businesses with damage to structures such as barn roofs, sheds, etc. While some are still on the ground, the USDA disaster funds have already helped many rebound without going into debt.
“I believe Hurricane Ian encouraged more preparation on the ranches and farms in South Florida for hurricane season,” she said, “And UF/IFAS Extension will be here to help them learn how best to prepare.”
Lessons
“We have many vulnerable areas on our coasts and along our waterways,” Outerbridge said. “Resilience must increase as another storm of this magnitude in the next 10 years would be bad. We need to keep shining the light on post-Ian impacts. The implications and damage from the storm will take many more years to recover fully.”
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, UF/IFAS Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery.
Left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain: damaged crops, eroded beaches, downed trees and power lines, property marred or made unlivable and more.
A citrus grove in Hendry County damaged by Hurricane Ian. Courtesy, UF/IFAS.
In the days and weeks immediately after the hurricane hit, UF/IFAS Extension agents helped bring supplies and science-based recovery information to farmers, nurseries, livestock producers and more.
They also checked on the well-being of many residents and proprietors.
“We have supported our partners and helped facilitate conversations between groups of stakeholders and those who can help them,” said David Outerbridge, director of UF/IFAS Extension Lee County. “We play a role as an ‘information first responder’ for our communities, and connect partners with UF/IFAS resources to help provide research information and long-term community planning.”
Those partners include Lee County parks, Sanibel Island, Pine Island growers, the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and the Lee County Schools Healthy Living Collaboration.
A closer look at UF/IFAS Extension Lee County help
Here are just some additional actions taken by agents and staff:
Florida Sea Grant, commodity groups, FEMA and other federal agencies to communicate losses and direct recovery resources.
resilient working waterfronts.
Significant work remains to get Lee County back to normal, Outerbridge said. Residents can help support area recovery by buying local products and getting to know your agricultural producers.
Charlotte County
Just up the coast, Ralph Mitchell, director of UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County, said residents and business owners coped with plenty of tree damage. But he and his agents helped them with information about triage and damage assessment.
A demonstration garden in Charlotte County was damaged by Hurricane Ian. Courtesy Paul Schumaker.
Months later, on National Arbor Day in April, about 250 residents received Florida elm trees from UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County.
In addition to trees, many landscapes were torn up in Charlotte County.
“Moving forward, our ‘blank-slate landscapes’ allowed us to reemphasize and reintroduce Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles to both new and established gardeners,” Mitchell said. “Homeowner associations were particularly receptive audiences.”
Livestock
“The livestock have recovered well,” said Lindsey Wiggins, a UF/IFAS Extension agent for Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.
After the storm, images showed many livestock businesses with damage to structures such as barn roofs, sheds, etc. While some are still on the ground, the USDA disaster funds have already helped many rebound without going into debt.
“I believe Hurricane Ian encouraged more preparation on the ranches and farms in South Florida for hurricane season,” she said, “And UF/IFAS Extension will be here to help them learn how best to prepare.”
Lessons
“We have many vulnerable areas on our coasts and along our waterways,” Outerbridge said. “Resilience must increase as another storm of this magnitude in the next 10 years would be bad. We need to keep shining the light on post-Ian impacts. The implications and damage from the storm will take many more years to recover fully.”
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ifas.ufl.edu | @UF_IFAS

In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, UF/IFAS Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery. Left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain: damaged crops, eroded beaches, downed trees and power lines, property marred or made unlivable and more. In the […]

A year after Ian, Southwest Florida recovering with help of UF/IFAS Extension

Being involved in 4-H allows various opportunities for youth to be engaged, it allows them the opportunity to explore careers, express ideas, and allows them to develop life skills. Through the involvement in 4-H, members are able serve on the Livestock Judging Team. As a Livestock Agent this is by far one of my favorite [&#8230;]

Being involved in 4-H allows various opportunities for youth to be engaged, it allows them the opportunity to explore careers, express ideas, and allows them to develop life skills. Through the involvement in 4-H, members are able serve on the Livestock Judging Team. As a Livestock Agent this is by far one of my favorite teams, not because I am the coach, but because of the value in skill set it offers to the members who participate. Livestock judging is comprised of evaluating different species of livestock which include beef cattle, swine, goat, and sheep. Members of the teams are asked to evaluate species of livestock based on selection criteria of muscle, structure, volume, and balance. Members of the intermediate and senior teams are required to deliver oral reasons to a judge to justify their placing while utilizing correct terminology. Members of all age groups are often asked questions based on the look or performance of the livestock that require them to answer for points toward their total score. Members may think they are just judging livestock, but they are building life skills that will make them valuable leaders and true assets to their communities. Some of the skills members learn are decision making, critical thinking, self-confidence, public speaking, and advanced social skills.
<h3><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3933 alignleft lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Demonstrates what is happening in the paragraph" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/suwanneeco/files/2023/09/EJ.2-9-26-23-225x300.jpg">Decision Making and Critical Thinking</h3>
Members must work to evaluate the four animals presented in front of them using the guide of selection criteria that must be memorized to decide on how to place the animals in 10-15 minutes. Members think critically about the placing of the animals. Participants are also asked to take notes of the animals and then are later asked questions about specific characteristics of the animals. This also guides their decisions and asks them to think critically about the importance of different characteristics when placing livestock.
<h3>Self Confidence and Public Speaking</h3>
Members of the team are asked to participate in practices through sharing their placings in front of their peers. Members are also asked to deliver oral reasons to justify their placings to their coach during practices and a judge during the contest. Being asked to present at different levels encourages participants to be confidently engaged in public speaking. This gives youth the opportunity to learn effective communication strategies when communicating with others, allows them to build confidence in their decision-making, and creates a comfortable place where they can learn how to speak in front of others.
<h3>Advancing Social Engagements<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-3937 alignright" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/suwanneeco/files/2023/09/EJ.4-9-26-23-300x149.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="182" /> </h3>
Members work to practice together, gain knowledge together, boost each other up, and judge livestock together. This gives youth an opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals like themselves to work together to achieve a common goal. This creates a comfortable atmosphere for team building and long-term friendships that will last a lifetime. Livestock judging also allows families to connect with other families.
Livestock judging brings youth to the table but the skills they leave with are extremely valuable to life and can have a strong impact on their futures.

Being involved in 4-H allows various opportunities for youth to be engaged, it allows them the opportunity to explore careers, express ideas, and allows them to develop life skills. Through the involvement in 4-H, members are able serve on the Livestock Judging Team. As a Livestock Agent this is by far one of my favorite teams, not because I am the coach, but because of the value in skill set it offers to the members who participate. Livestock judging is comprised of evaluating different species of livestock which include beef cattle, swine, goat, and sheep. Members of the teams are asked to evaluate species of livestock based on selection criteria of muscle, structure, volume, and balance. Members of the intermediate and senior teams are required to deliver oral reasons to a judge to justify their placing while utilizing correct terminology. Members of all age groups are often asked questions based on the look or performance of the livestock that require them to answer for points toward their total score. Members may think they are just judging livestock, but they are building life skills that will make them valuable leaders and true assets to their communities. Some of the skills members learn are decision making, critical thinking, self-confidence, public speaking, and advanced social skills.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking
Members must work to evaluate the four animals presented in front of them using the guide of selection criteria that must be memorized to decide on how to place the animals in 10-15 minutes. Members think critically about the placing of the animals. Participants are also asked to take notes of the animals and then are later asked questions about specific characteristics of the animals. This also guides their decisions and asks them to think critically about the importance of different characteristics when placing livestock.
Self Confidence and Public Speaking
Members of the team are asked to participate in practices through sharing their placings in front of their peers. Members are also asked to deliver oral reasons to justify their placings to their coach during practices and a judge during the contest. Being asked to present at different levels encourages participants to be confidently engaged in public speaking. This gives youth the opportunity to learn effective communication strategies when communicating with others, allows them to build confidence in their decision-making, and creates a comfortable place where they can learn how to speak in front of others.
Advancing Social Engagements 
Members work to practice together, gain knowledge together, boost each other up, and judge livestock together. This gives youth an opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals like themselves to work together to achieve a common goal. This creates a comfortable atmosphere for team building and long-term friendships that will last a lifetime. Livestock judging also allows families to connect with other families.
Livestock judging brings youth to the table but the skills they leave with are extremely valuable to life and can have a strong impact on their futures.

Being involved in 4-H allows various opportunities for youth to be engaged, it allows them the opportunity to explore careers, express ideas, and allows them to develop life skills. Through the involvement in 4-H, members are able serve on the Livestock Judging Team. As a Livestock Agent this is by far one of my favorite […]

The Power of Livestock Judging

Horse owners have the utmost concern for their animals, and one of their top concerns is toxic plants. Florida’s tropical climate supports a variety of non-native, often tropical species that can cause toxicity issues for livestock. Producers are constantly on the lookout for new plants popping up in the pasture that could pose a risk, [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_2315" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2315" style="width: 384px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/20230731_133125677_iOS.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-2315" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/20230731_133125677_iOS-300x225.png" alt="" width="384" height="288" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2315" class="wp-caption-text">An area of the pasture taken over by Torpedograss. Torpedograss is very difficult to control in pastures.</figcaption></figure>
Horse owners have the utmost concern for their animals, and one of their top concerns is toxic plants. Florida’s tropical climate supports a variety of non-native, often tropical species that can cause toxicity issues for livestock. Producers are constantly on the lookout for new plants popping up in the pasture that could pose a risk, as you should. However, we tend to not suspect grasses as being harmful even though they, too, can pose toxicity risks.
<h5>A new toxicity discovery (via Google)</h5>
While visiting a Clay County producer this summer, I identified a thick Torpedograss patch spreading throughout a low wet pasture. Our primary concern was controlling the Torpedograss to allow the planted Bahiagrass to establish. The horses on the property did not have access to the newly planted paddock yet. Torpedograss control is a challenge already; the grass is aggressive and can grow from small fragments of rhizomes. The only effective chemical control options are non-selective herbicides that would surely injure newly sprouted Bahiagrass.
<figure id="attachment_2319" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2319" style="width: 483px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/20230731_133732683_iOS-2.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-2319" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/20230731_133732683_iOS-2-300x224.png" alt="" width="483" height="360" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2319" class="wp-caption-text">Torpedograss is an aquatic plant and can become a severe problem for livestock producers in wet pastures.</figcaption></figure>
While researching and developing a management plan for the pasture, I decided to double check Torpedograss toxicity. My background in cattle can sometimes fool me when it comes to toxicity to horses. (There are quite a few plants that are not toxic to cattle at all but could seriously harm your horse!) A simple online search gave me a shock. I found a variety of claims spanning from not toxic to horses to causing a quick death. I called the producer and had them hold off on putting the horses out.
All the toxicity claims came from farming blogs and websites, and the sources behind the information were hard to identify. Still, a phrase like, &#8220;[Horses] who eat this grass often develop severe anemia and die,&#8221; is sure to raise horse owners&#8217; concerns (<a href="https://www.speedhorse.com/articles/m.blog/3930/plants-toxic-to-horses">Plants Toxic to Horses, SpeedHorse Magazine</a>). I couldn’t single out any research-based information coming from a university or any other reputable source with any substantial information on Torpedograss toxicity in horses. (Research tip: add “extension” to your search and look for information from universities to find research-based answers.) I reached out to equine specialists at UF to point me in the right direction.
<h5></h5>
<h5></h5>
<h5>What&#8217;s the truth?</h5>
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/20230731_132824625_iOS.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-2317 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="356" height="475" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/20230731_132824625_iOS-225x300.png"></a>Torpedograss (Panicum repens) is in the same genus as Fall Panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) a known poisonous plant in the horse community. Fall Panicum may contain Steroidal saponins that could lead to liver disease in horses within two weeks of consumption. However, the amount of biomass needed to be consumed and the actual trigger for toxicity is not well understood or researched (<a href="https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/APSC/APSC-116/APSC-116.html">Fall Panicum Toxicity in Horses, Virginia Cooperative Extension</a>). Another study looked at another species of the shared genus, Panicum maximum of the Amazon region. This limited study found that under certain conditions, Panicum maximum could cause intestinal fermentation followed by bloat in horses, however none of the conditions of this study proved to be fatal (<a href="https://www.scielo.br/j/cr/a/rRTt9N4Xkn7CqtcpyjHNqvk/?format=pdf&amp;lang=en">Bloat and colic in horses experimentally induced by the ingestion of Panicum maximum, Cerqueira, et al.</a>)
And still, another well-known North American Panicum species, Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), is suggested as a potentially high quality native forage or hay option for cattle by the University of Tennessee. However, the article states that switchgrass has shown to be linked to phototoxic reactions in horses and is not recommended (<a href="https://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/6BB8C0A6-E719-4134-87C3-9302216A0C91/79217/AnimalScienceAugust2004edited.pdf">Using Switchgrass for Forage, Bates, et al.</a>). Maybe our most specific evidence of Torpedograss toxicity comes out of an Animal News Industry Update from Louisiana State University. Dr. Steve Nicholson reported liver disease developing in two horses on a pasture containing 90% Torpedograss (<a href="https://www.lsuagcenter.com/NR/rdonlyres/6BB8C0A6-E719-4134-87C3-9302216A0C91/79217/AnimalScienceAugust2004edited.pdf">Animal Industry New Update Aug 2004</a>).
<h5>What does this mean for Florida horse owners?</h5>
One thing is for sure, there is a ton of Torpedograss in Florida and little to no reported instances of the grass harming horses. However, it’s clear that Panicum species may have some risk of toxicity for horses. Though, the reasons behind certain symptom development aren’t totally understood yet.
Make yourself familiar with Torpedograss. Learn to identify the Panicum grass if it starts taking over a pasture, especially if your area tends to stay wet. Limit access to Torpedograss and ensure it doesn’t make up more than 50% of your horse’s diet. Above all else, always be diligent in routinely monitoring your horse’s behavior, vital signs, and overall health. This way, you are able to identify any problems or changes as soon as they arise.
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/blog-cover-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-2297" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2023/09/blog-cover-1-300x85.png" alt="" width="812" height="230" /></a>

An area of the pasture taken over by Torpedograss. Torpedograss is very difficult to control in pastures.
Horse owners have the utmost concern for their animals, and one of their top concerns is toxic plants. Florida’s tropical climate supports a variety of non-native, often tropical species that can cause toxicity issues for livestock. Producers are constantly on the lookout for new plants popping up in the pasture that could pose a risk, as you should. However, we tend to not suspect grasses as being harmful even though they, too, can pose toxicity risks.
A new toxicity discovery (via Google)
While visiting a Clay County producer this summer, I identified a thick Torpedograss patch spreading throughout a low wet pasture. Our primary concern was controlling the Torpedograss to allow the planted Bahiagrass to establish. The horses on the property did not have access to the newly planted paddock yet. Torpedograss control is a challenge already; the grass is aggressive and can grow from small fragments of rhizomes. The only effective chemical control options are non-selective herbicides that would surely injure newly sprouted Bahiagrass.
Torpedograss is an aquatic plant and can become a severe problem for livestock producers in wet pastures.
While researching and developing a management plan for the pasture, I decided to double check Torpedograss toxicity. My background in cattle can sometimes fool me when it comes to toxicity to horses. (There are quite a few plants that are not toxic to cattle at all but could seriously harm your horse!) A simple online search gave me a shock. I found a variety of claims spanning from not toxic to horses to causing a quick death. I called the producer and had them hold off on putting the horses out.
All the toxicity claims came from farming blogs and websites, and the sources behind the information were hard to identify. Still, a phrase like, “[Horses] who eat this grass often develop severe anemia and die,” is sure to raise horse owners’ concerns (Plants Toxic to Horses, SpeedHorse Magazine). I couldn’t single out any research-based information coming from a university or any other reputable source with any substantial information on Torpedograss toxicity in horses. (Research tip: add “extension” to your search and look for information from universities to find research-based answers.) I reached out to equine specialists at UF to point me in the right direction.


What’s the truth?
Torpedograss (Panicum repens) is in the same genus as Fall Panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) a known poisonous plant in the horse community. Fall Panicum may contain Steroidal saponins that could lead to liver disease in horses within two weeks of consumption. However, the amount of biomass needed to be consumed and the actual trigger for toxicity is not well understood or researched (Fall Panicum Toxicity in Horses, Virginia Cooperative Extension). Another study looked at another species of the shared genus, Panicum maximum of the Amazon region. This limited study found that under certain conditions, Panicum maximum could cause intestinal fermentation followed by bloat in horses, however none of the conditions of this study proved to be fatal (Bloat and colic in horses experimentally induced by the ingestion of Panicum maximum, Cerqueira, et al.)
And still, another well-known North American Panicum species, Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), is suggested as a potentially high quality native forage or hay option for cattle by the University of Tennessee. However, the article states that switchgrass has shown to be linked to phototoxic reactions in horses and is not recommended (Using Switchgrass for Forage, Bates, et al.). Maybe our most specific evidence of Torpedograss toxicity comes out of an Animal News Industry Update from Louisiana State University. Dr. Steve Nicholson reported liver disease developing in two horses on a pasture containing 90% Torpedograss (Animal Industry New Update Aug 2004).
What does this mean for Florida horse owners?
One thing is for sure, there is a ton of Torpedograss in Florida and little to no reported instances of the grass harming horses. However, it’s clear that Panicum species may have some risk of toxicity for horses. Though, the reasons behind certain symptom development aren’t totally understood yet.
Make yourself familiar with Torpedograss. Learn to identify the Panicum grass if it starts taking over a pasture, especially if your area tends to stay wet. Limit access to Torpedograss and ensure it doesn’t make up more than 50% of your horse’s diet. Above all else, always be diligent in routinely monitoring your horse’s behavior, vital signs, and overall health. This way, you are able to identify any problems or changes as soon as they arise.

Horse owners have the utmost concern for their animals, and one of their top concerns is toxic plants. Florida’s tropical climate supports a variety of non-native, often tropical species that can cause toxicity issues for livestock. Producers are constantly on the lookout for new plants popping up in the pasture that could pose a risk, […]

Torpedograss Toxicity in Horses: What’s the Truth?

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A year after Ian, Southwest Florida recovering with help of UF/IFAS Extension

The Power of Livestock Judging

Torpedograss Toxicity in Horses: What’s the Truth?

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