March 5, 1987 — Dr. Jeff Nester of the Blue Ridge Animal Clinic is assisting with an investigation into the sudden deaths of 11 cattle owned by Charles Hilliard of Alma.
The cows took ill suddenly at Hilliard’s farm off Va. 650 and died within 90 minutes. Nester said the cattle deaths are “basically associated with the oats hay,” however, he does not know what caused the poisoning.
Nester said the Page County Co-op Farm Bureau sent samples to a sate laboratory which tested for aflatoxin, a mold which can cause illness.
Lorsban, a pesticide sprayed on the oats hay, also was tested. Nester said minimum residue was found and the chemical does not seem to be a factor.
~ From the public archives of the Page News and Courier
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