Two ewes in Sligo died at the back end of last year after they were found to have consumed acorns.
Acorns are toxic to sheep, as well as cattle and horses. If ingested, they can prove fatal.
Sligo regional veterinary laboratory diagnosed acorn poisoning in the two ewes in October.
“The animals had been moved to new pasture two days prior to death. One animal was found dead, the other presented with haemorrhagic faeces,” a veterinary report on the incident found.
“Both animals had severe haemorrhagic typhlitis with frank blood clots and swollen pale kidneys. The reticulum and rumen of one ewe contained a large number of masticated acorns.
“Acorns contain gallotannins which can lead to poisoning.”
Warning
The Department of Agriculture issued a warning to farmers in November of last year about the risk of acorn poisoning in sheep after vet labs recorded a number of cases of acorn toxicity.
The increase in poisonings was as a result of a bumper crop of acorns on oak trees in 2025.
“This year is what is called a ‘mast year’, meaning that certain types of trees have produced a bumper crop of fruit or nuts,” the Department had said.
“While the definitive reason for a mast year occurring is not known, it is thought that this allows for survival of future generations of trees. In the case of the oak trees, this has resulted in bumper crops of acorns.”
Read more
Bumper acorn crop sees increase in sheep poisonings
Two ewes in Sligo died at the back end of last year after they were found to have consumed acorns.
Acorns are toxic to sheep, as well as cattle and horses. If ingested, they can prove fatal.
Sligo regional veterinary laboratory diagnosed acorn poisoning in the two ewes in October.
“The animals had been moved to new pasture two days prior to death. One animal was found dead, the other presented with haemorrhagic faeces,” a veterinary report on the incident found.
“Both animals had severe haemorrhagic typhlitis with frank blood clots and swollen pale kidneys. The reticulum and rumen of one ewe contained a large number of masticated acorns.
“Acorns contain gallotannins which can lead to poisoning.”
Warning
The Department of Agriculture issued a warning to farmers in November of last year about the risk of acorn poisoning in sheep after vet labs recorded a number of cases of acorn toxicity.
The increase in poisonings was as a result of a bumper crop of acorns on oak trees in 2025.
“This year is what is called a ‘mast year’, meaning that certain types of trees have produced a bumper crop of fruit or nuts,” the Department had said.
“While the definitive reason for a mast year occurring is not known, it is thought that this allows for survival of future generations of trees. In the case of the oak trees, this has resulted in bumper crops of acorns.”
Read more
Bumper acorn crop sees increase in sheep poisonings
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