Abstract
Significant economic losses to the livestock industry are caused by the ingestion of toxic plants in South Africa, among which the most dangerous ones are Moraea pallida (geeltulp), Urginea/Drimea sanguinea (rooislangkop), Senecio latifolius (Staggers Ragwort), and Geigeria ornativa (vermeerbos). Conditioned feed aversion is a potential means to address this issue. Treating animals with an aversive substance along with an extract of the sensory characteristics of a specific plant conditions animals to avoid the plant. Geigeria ornativa, unlike the other three plants, is non-aversive. Following treatment for aversion, the induced aversion fades with time and eventually breaks down. Continuous exposure to an aversive mixture following aversion treatment ensures sustained aversion to G. ornativa.
Recommended Citation
Snyman, Leendert D. and Provenza, Frederick D.
(2026)
"Conditioned Feed Aversion as a Means of Conditioning Livestock to Avoid Consuming Toxic Plants Growing in South Africa : An Overview,"
Poisonous Plant Research (PPR): Vol. 9, p. 3-22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/r5mr-ez78
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/poisonousplantresearch/vol9/iss1/1
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Animal Sciences Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Toxicology Commons