Profile of farms with pastures invaded by Pteridium arachnoideum in northern Mato Grosso and prevalence of bovine enzootic hematuria

The profile of 40 farms with pastures invaded by Pteridium arachnoideum in northern Mato Grosso as well as the prevalence of bovine enzootic haematuria (BEH) in dairy and beef cattle in the region are described. The BEH was observed in 15/40 properties with prevalence rates ranging from 0.8 to 16.6%. Aspects related to the deployment of pastures and management are discussed. In most farms where BEH occurs, the pastures were highly invaded by the plant, whereas in most farms where HEB does not occur the pastures had less than 10% of Pteridium arachnoideum. Deforestation and the use of fire were determinant factors in the invasion of the paddocks by P. arachnoideum.

Poisonous plants; bracken fern; Pteridium arachnoideum; Dennstaedtiaceae; plant poisoning; bladder neoplasms; cattle