The North Carolina Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services announced Sept. 15 that they’re stopping the sale of alfalfa hay originating in Kansas and sold at Murphy Farm Hay And Feed in Louisburg, N.C., and at Jones Farm Hay And Feed in Middlesex, N.C., due to likely blister beetle contamination.  

There are currently six horse deaths attributed to blister beetle poisoning. The horses ate hay that originated in Kansas and was either sold by Murphy Farm Hay And Feed or distributed by Murphy to Jones Farm Hay And Feed on or after Aug. 11. All bales were bound with a reddish-orange twine. 

“Department feed inspectors are conducting tracebacks to determine whether any other feed stores received alfalfa hay from the same source in Kansas,” said North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in the statement. “While the investigation into this case is ongoing, we wanted to alert animal owners, especially those in the equine community, to this situation.”

All who bought the hay should stop feeing it and return unused portions to place of purchase. 

“Feed affected by the toxin may or may not have visible beetles in it,” stated the release. “Horse owners should monitor their animals and contact their veterinarian if any of these signs are observed: inflammation, colic, straining, elevated temperature, depression, blood in the urine, increased heart rate and respiration, dehydration, sweating, diarrhea and death.”