A storm is brewing in Texas after a number of cattle died, having consumed a variety of hybrid grass which scientists believe had turned toxic. 

The ‘Tifton 85’ Bermuda grass is believed to have poisoned 15 cows near Austin, Texas; a small herd of the animals went into convulsions and all but three died within hours of eating the grass. The grass produced prussic acid – hydrogen cyanide – which gives the same effect as cyanide poisoning.

Veterinary experts from Texas have suggested an unfortunate combination of circumstances led to the grass becoming poisonous. The Bermuda grass had been drought stressed and then heavily fertilised with nitrogen, but not balanced with other compounds, which could have led to its production of the poison, investigators said.  

The incident has sparked a panic reaction in Texas, where other fields have tested positive for prussic acid, although no other deaths or poisonings have been reported agriculturalists have begun investigating the situation and prevent further deaths.  

The grass in question has been grown in the United States since 1992 and veterinary scientists have moved to reassure farmers that the incident was most likely an isolated one, created by an unfortunate series of coincidences.

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