By Dean Poling
April 10, 2008 11:20 pm
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A poison used in pesticides is suspected of killing more than 40 head of cattle earlier this week on a farm along the Lanier-Clinch county lines, according to authorities.
Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said through a spokesman that his office is involved in an investigation into the deaths; however, Arty Schronce, a department spokesman, said Thursday no further details could be provided into the ongoing investigation.
Though his office is not officially handling the case, Lanier County Sheriff Nick Norton said he received a call Sunday morning concerning the deaths.
At approximately 8 a.m. Sunday, Colby Holbrook called the Lanier County Sheriff’s Department to report that “cows were dropping dead” on the family farm. The site was reportedly on the Clinch side of the county line, so it was out of Lanier County’s jurisdiction, though Norton contacted additional emergency and agricultural officials and supplied back-up for the initial call.
Norton estimated 44 cattle died suddenly at the farm. The farm was placed on quarantine shortly after the call until about noon-time this past Sunday, the sheriff said. The cattle were buried following state specifications.
Samples were taken and two cows were sent to Tifton for testing.
The sudden deaths may have been caused by what Norton called, “a bad lot” of feed.
Other sources speaking on conditions of anonymity have attributed the cause of death to Temik being found in the feed. Reportedly, a cow can die within three steps after ingesting Temik. Temik is a poison used in pesticide for cotton and soybeans. Reportedly, feed was dropped for the cattle and they began dying instantly.
Efforts to reach the Holbrook family were unsuccessful Thursday.
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