Grass linked to Texas cattle deaths

A cattle ranch in Elgin, Texas., where 15 head died after grazing in a field. Tests showed the grass they ingested was producing cyanide gas. / KEYE

Updated Mon. 2:11 p.m. ET

(CBS News) ELGIN, Texas - A mysterious mass death of a herd of cattle has prompted a federal investigation in Central Texas.

Preliminary test results are blaming the deaths on the grass the cows were eating when they got sick, reports CBS Station KEYE.

The cows dropped dead several weeks ago on an 80-acre ranch owned by Jerry Abel in Elgin, just east of Austin.

Abel says he's been using the fields for cattle grazing and hay for 15 years. "A lot of leaf, it's good grass, tested high for protein - it should have been perfect," he told KEYE correspondent Lisa Leigh Kelly.

The grass is a hybrid form of Bermuda known as Tifton 85 which has been growing here for 15 years, feeding Abel's 18 head of Corriente cattle. Corriente are used for team roping because of their small size and horns.

"When we opened that gate to that fresh grass, they were all very anxious to get to that," said Abel.

Three weeks ago, the cattle had just been turned out to enjoy the fresh grass, when something went terribly wrong.

"When our trainer first heard the bellowing, he thought our pregnant heifer may be having a calf or something," said Abel. "But when he got down here, virtually all of the steers and heifers were on the ground. Some were already dead, and the others were already in convulsions."

Within hours, 15 of the 18 cattle were dead.

"That was very traumatic to see, because there was nothing you could do, obviously, they were dying," said Abel.

Preliminary tests revealed the Tifton 85 grass, which has been here for years, had suddenly started producing cyanide gas, poisoning the cattle.

"Coming off the drought that we had the last two years ... we're concerned it was a combination of events that led us to this," Dr. Gary Warner, an Elgin veterinarian and cattle specialist who conducted the 15 necropsies, told Kelly.

What is more worrisome: Other farmers have tested their Tifton 85 grass, and several in Bastrop County have found their fields are also toxic with cyanide. However, no other cattle have died.

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are dissecting the grass to determine if there might have been some strange, unexpected mutation.

Until it can be determined why this grass suddenly began producing cyanide, Abel is keep his livestock far away.

"The grasshoppers are enjoying it now," he said.

CORRECTION: As originally published, this story referred to Tifton 85 grass as a genetically-modified product, which is incorrect; it is actually a hybrid of Bermuda grass.

Grass tied to Texas cattle deaths hybrid, not GM

[WESLEYHARDEN]

I just had a thought after seeing California Cattle and Texas Cattle there is a question in my mind could the GMO grass,foods,farming ect be activated more to kill by the Chemtrails HR2977 I think that was the HR# I remember seeing with Chemtrail in it..

With the proper statue the people are going after Chemtrail please think about it or see if you ever happen to come across something like this where the mixing is finished out in the flied like the last step doesn't live long with out a hosted so they spay it over head so no one thinks about it,

what was once not really health but wouldn't kill them or the livestock becomes extra dangerous when the fibers from chemtrails gets into the food then into anything that eats the food and so on it lives and destroys it's host (SLOWLY KILLS) goes unnoticed but by mistake it has killed the CATTLE FAST which cause to much attention...

[Minerva_ma]

Have the people researching this seen the following publication?

http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/thegreengrok/fertilizationeffect

Apparently increased CO2 in the atmosphere increases the amount of cyanide produced in a wide range of food and forage crops, not just Bermuda grass. Maybe our still-rising CO2 levels (in combination with other stressors?) has finally pushed these fields over the edge....

[WESLEYHARDEN]

Hi, I found this user's comment on CBSNews.com and thought you might be interested in reading it.

(in combination with other stressors?)

What if Chemtrail is the last step, combined with GMO it's first Host when hitting the grown which is the easiest Host to inter, Then from the it's getting stronger than into the NEXT STAGE, Who ever or what ever eats the Food that is now extra dangerous by mistake it KILLS FAST sometimes, THE PLAN IS TO KILL US SLOWLY this way it goes unnoticed..

Your (in combination with other stressors?) made me think about seeing the stuff about California, Texas, and Florida I've heard has proof of the FIBERS and has tested them with all know FBI records of all known FIBERS and there was no match..

a group I'm in on FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/180564615390103/314985851947978/?notif_t=group_activity

DOCUMENTARY really good one goes all the way up to Congress Science http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf0khstYDLA "What in the World Are They Spraying? (Full Length)" FREE with more LINKS and websites in the video along with experts on the subject, GEO-ENGINEERING to fight Global Warming..

[tx_sunset]

Hybrid and genetically modified are just semantics. When you purposely allow two different strains of anything to breed and become hybrid, you are genetically modifying it. It is just a stupid play on words and the differences are a moot point to educated readers.

[recskater]

Semantics is key. When they graft a fish gene into a tomato, that's a GMO and really should be labeled. On the other hand, almost all our food are some form of hybrid and it only confuses everyone if we don't distinguish between seedless watermelons and tomatoes with a fish gene.

[informedmom]

Hybrids and GMOs are completely different. Easiest way to learn the difference is to watch "Future of Food". GMOs are dangerous and out of control in the US. You may want to find out more and protect your family...www.responsibletechnology.org
These cow deaths look like many other reports I have seen from GMO feed cows. My bet is there is a GMO contamination issue. If you are in California...check out Prop 37 a yes vote will put labeling laws into effect for some GMO products....at least then we can start cause and effect logging and freedom of choice will again be the consumers.

[blue8embers2012]

For those of you that are saying that this is not linked in any way to Monsanto, please read Page 6, paragraph 3:

"Industry and Foundation Contributions
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation located in Ardmore, OK, has indicated an interest
in providing financial support to the Institute. Additionally, support will be solicited from
major corporations, including Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and Syngenta."

http://www.curriculumsystems.uga.edu/UCC/FINALInstPlantBreedGen.pdf

[jlf799]

Too bad the date on this document is 2007, and Tifton 85 was bred before 1983.

[WESLEYHARDEN]

youtube.com/watch?v=jf0khstYDLA

What in the World Are They Spraying? (Full Length)

What if it is a combined effect that KILLS SLOWLY but sometimes KILLS FAST..

COMBINED: GMO + CHEMTRAILS = DEATH not just unhealthy but DEATH.

PLAIN: SLOWLY KILL US GOING UNNOTICED FAST DEATH IS VERY NOTICEABLY and DRAWS TO MUCH ATTENTION!!!!

WHAT IF I'M RIGHT? IT'S WORTH LOOKING INTO EVERY KNOW AND THEN TO SEE IF SOMEONE HAS MADE A SCIENTIFIC CONNECTION..

WHAT ABOUT AGENT ORANGE THE MILITARY SPAYED ON THE JUNGLE TO KILL SOME PLANTS SO OUR TROOPS COULD FIGHT BETTER BY SEEING FARTHER IN THE JUNGLE< IT TURNED OUT NOT BEING SAFE FOR PEOPLE...

[MegaProcrastination]

I knew this article struck a chord but I couldn't remember exactly what it was until I talked with the husband. It seems to us there must have been some type of environmental happening that turned this grass toxic. There's a grass some farmers are growing here as a cattle feed. It makes excellent fodder but ONLY if it's done properly. This one is Sudan grass. Planting is recommended for the hottest part of the summer, then it's allowed to grow for the rest of the season. When it gets frosted it starts producing cyanide and can't be used as cattle feed for two weeks after the frost. Once the two weeks have passed the cyanide dissipates and it's safe again.

[DCKeene]

I don't recall a freeze or a frost recently near Austin. I think the last one may have been in February. Now what will be the next excuse?

[bearfoot33]

bull-hocky!

[KnowerseekerReturns]

"The grass is a genetically-modified form of Bermuda known as Tifton 85 which has been growing here for 15 years, feeding Abel's 18 head of Corriente cattle. Corriente are used for team roping because of their small size and horns."

I'm sure it's fed to meat and dairy cows too. Three words: Go organic now.

[jlf799]

It's not a GMO, it can be grown organically and some organic farms feed it.

[midvale3]

There are several toxic plants and tress that are toxic to livestock. Wild cherry trees produce a cyanide if the tree leaves are allowed to wilt (such as after the tree is blown down in a storm). The chick littles of the world work themselves into a frenzy about every story that supports their warped view of the world. Move to the middle of nowhere, live off the land, and see if you can make it 10 years without starving or having a medical issue. Little house on the Prairie was not paradise.

[WESLEYHARDEN]

LMAO Nature food has been tons of proof to be healthy for you not just filler.. BUT WHAT IF

youtube.com/watch?v=jf0khstYDLA

What in the World Are They Spraying? (Full Length)

What if it is a combined effect that KILLS SLOWLY but sometimes KILLS FAST..

COMBINED: GMO + CHEMTRAILS = DEATH not just unhealthy but DEATH.

PLAIN: SLOWLY KILL US GOING UNNOTICED FAST DEATH IS VERY NOTICEABLY and DRAWS TO MUCH ATTENTION!!!!

[rrodarte]

Genetically Modified Food and Nuclear... anything! Two roads to Hell that Human Beings should have been smarter than monkeys to see the folly and destruction of taking those paths. You ever seen a chimp with an automatic rifle? Can you imagine a monkey with a box of hand grenades and he's in a room with you and your family and the doors are locked from the outside? Ever get to feeling that those "leaders" of technology are as irresponsible as a bunch of monkeys in a nuclear power plant control room?
Hubris is a powerful drug, the Drug of Choice in Fact for the Powerful and Wanna Be Powerful. We, the Human Species, needs to take a deep breath, stand back, and take a really damned good look at who the hell we think we are to monkey with the code of life and the elementary particles of nature.
Nuclear fission is a hell of an expensive way to boil water, especially if to cook GMO corn and alfalfa.

[WESLEYHARDEN]

youtube.com/watch?v=jf0khstYDLA

What in the World Are They Spraying? (Full Length)

What if it is a combined effect that KILLS SLOWLY but sometimes KILLS FAST..

COMBINED: GMO + CHEMTRAILS = DEATH not just unhealthy but DEATH.

PLAIN: SLOWLY KILL US GOING UNNOTICED FAST DEATH IS VERY NOTICEABLY and DRAWS TO MUCH ATTENTION!!!!

[rusjar]

This so called "article" and the comments from some of the so called "experts" make me question my faith in humanity again. The grass at hand is a hybrid, their is no connection of Tifton 85 to Monsanto what so ever and, this was just one small herd of cattle not an epidemic which all could have been avoided by proper management and understanding prussic acid poisoning, and finally Tifton 85 does not produce cyanide gas. If fear mongering, false and explosive headlines, and faulty or intentionally misleading articles are what are expected of this site than I say keep the story up but, if not maybe some should contact Dr. Larry Redmond the Forage Specialist for the state of Texas and get a rebuttal and then print the retraction of this article.

[ubiquitousnewt]

I'm with you on this one. CBS has started a giant slew of negative, angry-peasant mob behavior on sites that have picked this story up, despite the fact that cattle apparently croak from cyanide poisoning by eating **non-GMO grass** with some regularity. Mention that in the article? "...Nah, not important!" Terrible article!

[WESLEYHARDEN]

youtube.com/watch?v=jf0khstYDLA

What in the World Are They Spraying? (Full Length)

What if it is a combined effect that KILLS SLOWLY but sometimes KILLS FAST..

COMBINED: GMO + CHEMTRAILS = DEATH not just unhealthy but DEATH.
PLAIN: SLOWLY KILL US GOING UNNOTICED FAST DEATH IS VERY NOTICEABLY and DRAWS TO MUCH ATTENTION!!!!

[utopian811]

Me, I don't trust GMO stuff, and go out of my way to look for Non GMO products, be it corn, or soy, or grains, etc. Also be careful of some companies who sell "organic" foods, Kashi for example, who are currently being sued for using GMO materials in their "organic" cereal products. Apperently the lay says that if they are "grown" in an organic way, they can be used and still called organic, while they are anything but!

I couldn't help but laugh my head off about the cattle (not for their deaths, rather that the grass turned to cyanide.. who woulda thunk it!)?